The 2nd Time Worked Like a Charm

Today was Joe's second attempt at starting his IV chemotherapy treatments.  It was originally supposed to begin 2 weeks ago, but had to be put off until today.   Neither of us slept very well last night and we both were awake soon after 4am this morning and unable to go back to sleep.  So at 6:35a.m., we left for the Morris Clinic at Duke for his 7am bloodwork appointment.  We got back to see Dr. Zafar around 8am and after a short conference with him about how Joe has been doing the last couple of weeks, we were off to the 2nd floor to the chemotherapy treatment center.  His treatment appointment was for 8:30, but we did not get up there until closer to 9am.   While waiting we spoke with one of the counselors that is part of Dr. Zafar's team and just went over some concerns as well as some history of when, where & how Joe's cancer was diagnosed.  Her services are part of what is offered to us and she encouraged either or both of us to contact her at any time with questions, concerns or just to talk.  As we were wrapping up with Tracey, the buzzer given to Joe at check-in went off meaning it was time for him to go back for his therapy, so off we went.  

The nurse directed Joe to one of the first recliners and me to the little chair next to him.  From there it all went rather quickly.  The nurse found a vein and inserted the IV needle.  A CNA took his vitals and then a nurse from the pharmacy went over all of the meds that Joe is currently on.  Then the original nurse was back, hung a bag of fluids and started Joe on them.  After about 10 minutes I had to excuse myself to go to the bathroom and upon my return, there were 2 other bags hanging from the IV pole and Joe's chemo treatment was under way.  It wasn't long at all before the IV began to beep indicating that he was done and the nurse was back over, turned off the machine, disconnected his IV and we were out of there by 10:45am.  Actually the wait for the valet to get our car seemed longer than the treatment.

From there we were off to Only Burger for lunch, Tutti Fruiti for dessert, stopped by a friends house who had surgery last week (Glad you're feeling better Mike!) and then home.  I spent the afternoon napping on the couch so I can't say what Joe was doing other than watching TV (at a loud volume).  I do know that Joe has felt good this afternoon, but is currently saying his head feels "tingly", "warm" and he keeps holding his hands to either side of his head and wiggling his fingers (jazz hands) .  Not real sure what that is symptomatic of other than Joe being Joe.

****Late Breaking News**** He is now burning himself in the kitchen.  Never put a stainless steel ladle on top of a stainless steel spoon rest on a stove with all 4 burners going.  Apparently it gets very hot.