Chemo Round 2

At 7 am Monday Johnny and I walked into the Oncologists office for his latest infusion.  He was one of the first to arrive that day.  After having his blood work drawn and checked over he was sent up to the infusion room.  He was waved over and had his pick of chairs.  He had one with a view of the woods.  As the room filled up with those who have cancer I saw that Johnny was one of the youngest ones there.  Not all that often these days that he’s the kid in the room.

The nurse came by and started his IV’s of saline followed by avastin, irinotecan, leucovorin and 5-fluorouracil (known as 5-FU and it truly does).  The 5-fluorouracil comes with a “push” to get it into his system and also comes with a handy 2 day take home pack.

But as the poisons* dripped into his port Johnny read articles on his cell phone, looked at magazines and chatted with me to keep his mind occupied and pass the time.

With the water Johnny drinks during his treatment plus the IV fluids they pump into him about half way through his treatment he got up to hit the restroom, dragging his rolling pole of poison along with him.  Several of the elderly folks looked up and gave him big smiles acknowledging how well he’s doing.  Sometimes this chemo thing can be good for the ego, though I wouldn’t recommend it.

Around Noon we headed home, got a little food into Johnny and then it was off to the office for him to finish out the day.  I had the day off and got things done around the house.

This chemo round has so far gone much smoother than the first.  We still have a long way to go, all prayers are appreciated and gratefully accepted.

*Many in the medical community refer to chemotherapy drugs as "medicine". We call them as we see them. They are highly toxic substances designed to indiscriminately kill fast growing cells. You don't want to come in contact with them under any circumstances. Infusion nurses wear special gowns when handling them. Not your benign little "medicine".