Blood transfusion today

Drip, drip- five hours to transfuse today.

"I'd rather be a cruise with you than get hit in the head with a hockey puck"~ Happy Valentines Day

February 16, 2012

by sherry

We've been in and out of the hospital for a few days now~ oncology appointments/lab tests (8 pokes)/new nuphrostomy flushing equipment/ Foley catheter out/voiding tests/bladder scans and a blood transfusion today with a new chemo regimen starting next Tuesday. The Abireaterone ("Abby") wasn't working.  PSA up by 80 points, more cancer growth on the lymph nodes accompanied by level 8 pain (on morphine) in Terence's pelvic area and continued kidney  complications from tumors on the kidney ureters = off Abby and onto chemo.  

His hair was just starting to grow back.

 Receiving his 5 hour "drip"

We're both grouchy today. After 8 unsuccessful pokes yesterday, and three more this morning, I don't blame him.  He's still  scheduled for one more poke- to have his PICC line re-inserted to prevent more poking! (it is a peripherally inserted central catheter, a long, slender, and flexible tube that is inserted into a peripheral vein, typically in the upper arm, and advanced until the catheter tip terminates in a large vein in the chest near the heart to obtain intravenous access. It is similar to other central lines as it terminates into a large vessel near the heart). They do this by ultra sound, it takes an hour or so, depending.  His last PICC line was removed because they expected the ABBY to work which would mean that he wouldn't need a PICC line again for 6 months or so......it's been 4 weeks.

I'm grouchy- just because.  I'm tired. Some days I reach my limit. I found myself irritated today at the slightest of things ..... (Terence:"Sherry, where are my clothes?" Me: "look with your eyes and not your mouth!!". I forgot I packed them and  put them in the car;  he wouldn't have been able to find them even if he tried). *Sigh* An attitude adjustment is in line, or it's going to be a long day. We just started the transfusion.

I'm not surprised he needed a transfusion. The symptoms were clear for about four days- Terence has been abnormally tired, dizzy, lightheaded, and weak (if you don’t have enough red blood cells, your bloodstream cannot carry enough oxygen to all of the tissues in your body. This can make you experience these symptoms).   He has also been a little confused. His romantic Valentine comment to me was "I'd rather be on a cruise with you than get hit in the head with a hockey puck....happy Valentines day my love".   Hmmmmm Okay. Me too.

 So we're here today and possibly tomorrow too. And back again next Tuesday for Chemo. Please pray that the chemo isn't too taxing on his one healthy kidney. 

Happy belated Valentines day and enjoy your President's day Weekend!

~Sherry