Another in a long line of firsts!

Today is another day in a long line of firsts.  On November 11, 2010 was Joe's first oncology appointment; November 18, 2010 was his first stint placement surgery; December 6, 2010 was his first radiation treatment; December 13, 2010 was his first fever and admission to the hospital; December 21, 2010 first day of chemo ( Zeloda); February 17, 2011 first trip to the Duke Emergency Department; February 21, 2011 night before his surgery; March 11, 2011 first post surgical infection trip to Duke; April 25, 2011 first chemo (Gemcidobine); July 18, 2011 first appointment with surgeon  for hernia; June 21, 2012 first CT scan with negative results; August 2, 2012 decision to change to a more aggressive chemo; August 8, 2012 first surgery for port insertion; August 13, 2012 first chemo treatment with new regimen.

And here we are.  After early morning labs and doctors appointments, we were up in chemo at 9am but were not called back for infusion until 10 am.   So after all the pre-drugs, he is all hooked up as of 11 am with an end time of 3 pm.

Hannah came by for support and some laughs!

Joe all hooked up and going.

There are LOTS of drugs running.

He now has lots of bags of chemo flowing. Only thing missing at this point is the third chemo which he will get hooked up just before we leave. That one goes home with us with a pump for 46 hours. The best part of the day so far was the visit from one of Joe's favorite former students, Hannah Lingafelt. It was practically a party atmosphere in here for a while. It really lifted Joe's spirits to have her visit. There's a lot to be said for laughs and smiles!

Hopefully the rest of the afternoon will go as well as the morning. Time will tell......and so will I, later this evening.

Thank you to everyone for your words of encouragement and prayers. Both of us greatly appreciate it.

4 p.m. Update:  That's what time we finished.  All totaled, Joe was there for 9 hours.  However, in all due fairness, he was only hooked up to his chemo treatment and assorted other drugs for 5 1/2 hours.  Now he just has 46 hours of more chemo here at the house with what he describes as a "cute accessory".  I call it a fannie pack straight out of the 80's.......and I can't think of anything less cute :)

8:30p.m. Update:  We had supper brought in.  Joe ate alot!  Apparently his appetite was not effected by today.  He is very thirsty due to the drug they gave him when he had a bad reaction to the irentican.  He's drunk more than 64 ounces of luke warm lemonade since 6pm.  One of the side effects of one of the other chemo's is that he can't have cold liquids or foods for 3-4 days.  That also includes touching cold things.  No hands in the refrigerator for a few days.  He's complained the last hour or so about a slight headache but he is allowed to take tylenol so that hopefully will take care of that.  He has complained about being tired also. Come to think of it, he's complained a lot.......but I guess he is allowed.  As long as he can text with Jill for a couple of hours he will be fine.  Me?  I've mowed the yard this evening...sweated a ton....taken a shower and am POOPED!!!