2nd Chemotherapy Round

Carl completed 4 nights and 5 days of inpatient chemotherapy, Monday, Jan 18th, 2010 to Friday, Jan 22, 2010. Prayers have helped. I hope chemotherapy goes this smoothly each time.

Monday Jan 18, 2010 : Carl and I left around 7:00 AM to go to the Medical Complex. The children were home from school and were supposed to be sleeping, so we left them at home. But three of the children woke up enough to say 'bye. A good friend came over at 8:00 AM to feed the children breakfast and hang with them, until enough of them were up and dressed and in condition for her to transport the kids to R's Fantasy House for Children.

As for Carl and I, maybe someday I will outline this mostly boring day, but right now I don't want you to fall asleep. After appointments for blood work, X-rays, Doctor R, a dietitian, and Doctor C, Carl was admitted to the Froedtert hospital 4NT wing. (We privately refer to 4NT as "The Spa"). (Froedtert is pronounced like the two words 'fray dirt', which is no reflection on the hospital, which is clean and staffed with wonderful people. We saw nothing frayed during Carl's stay.)

The Chemotherapy drip was started on Monday at around 2:30 PM, and was then left going continuously until Friday, around 8:00 PM. I eventually left to go rescue Saint R from my children. [Oops, I mean pick up my children from Robin's House.]

Tuesday Jan 19, 2010 : Carl was doing great with his Chemo, and was making use of the recumbent exercise bike in the spa's family center, which had a nice view.

Wednesday Jan 20, 2010 : Carl was doing well with his Chemo, but was tired often. Then three of the four Grisa children came to visit him from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM on a school night...

Thursday Jan 21, 2010 : Carl pretty much slept for 20 hours. This may have been the result his children visiting, or his chemotherapy, we aren't actually sure.

Friday Jan 22, 2010 : Carl was very tired, but determined to leave as scheduled. He declined an offer of staying an extra day at the spa, pretty much because he just felt like going home. At 8:00 PM we were leaving the hospital, and the very cool nursing staff behind.

Saturday Jan 23, 2010 : Carl had to return to the hospital for a scheduled shot of Neulasta (also know as Pegfilgrastim - see how close those words are?). Had he been dehydrated or had his heart been racing, etc., they would have given him IV fluids, but fortunately it was a relatively quick in - quick out visit to Cancer Center's Day Hospital. Carl pretty much rested for the rest of the day.

Sunday Jan 24, 2010 : Carl go to stay in his own house for 24 hours. Friends visited, and some of the church came to him since he didn't get to church. I thought Carl would be tired, but he was in good spirits and up and moving around from about 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Monday Jan 25, 2010 : Carl slept in, and was going stir crazy staying in the house by about 2:30 PM. I took him on a small field trip. We will see what the rest of the week brings...

He has no more Doctor appointments until February. (OK, I know that is technically only days away, but I'm kind of glad the next appointment is in an entirely different month...)

Thank You so much to all who have said prayers, sent notes, called, visited, and helped us. We have had help with rides, hanging with our children, meals and more. Dawn Fuchs from our church has offered to help coordinate meals and rides, and has been a real blessing to our family.