Day 2 and Wayne is rocking the chemo! He is not having nausea (last time it was severe) and is lucid (again, not so much last time). His spirits are up and his attitude is always positive.He makes me so proud to be his wife.
Here's what his day is like: Straight away in the morning we head to the hospital to get started. He's hooked up to an IV that drips Ifosamide and Doxorubicin as well as Mesna and Thiamine (to reduce side effects). His treatment lasts 5.5 to 6 hours each day (we were expecting 4 hours) and we watch many cancer patients come and go (Wayne's treatment is by far the longest of anyone else we've seen).
The infusion room is a communal room with big, bright windows. There are comfortable (ish) chairs for the patients to sit in, tv and movie machines to pass the time, and lots of gossip magazines to read. When Wayne is done with hydration and the Ifosamide, he is sent home. He has a port inside of his chest with an IV attached, and the Doxorubicin continuously drips from a portable pump that he carries around. This is what he is holding up in the picture.
When Wayne comes home, he is tired. Yesterday he napped, but today he didn't (wants to watch Family Guy instead). His preference is to sleep on our sofa because it is easier for him to get up from (since his heart surgery). So, last night I joined him on the other sofa, just to make sure he was okay. I was expecting a night of nausea and hallucinations, but instead he slept peacefully without incident. I am so thankful he is feeling better than last time. It truly is amazing how well he is handling these drugs (which are the most aggressive).
Caeden has been very perceptive throughout this process. Today I called him from the hospital and the conversation went like this:
C: Sooo, how is Daddy doing?
Me: He is great. The medicine is doing it's job.
C: Soooo, his medicine is taking out the cancer bugs?
Me: It sure is honey.
C: Is Daddy hurting?
Me: No baby. He is just excited to come home and see you.
C: That is a great idea, Mommy. Bring him home to me because I love him soooooo much.
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