another cycle finished

Done again for another few weeks

This cycle went pretty good. We headed to Meadville on Monday not sure what to expect out of the days meds. Our regular nurse was pulled back into the doctor's area because one of the nurses back there is off on maternity leave. We had someone we hadn't seen before. Jeff said she did good with the stick though because he didn't even know she got the line in him.  The day went very well. He had no reaction this time so we were done slightly over an hour ealier than last time! WHOO HOO. It is the little things!

M was still in the back Tuesday and Wednesday so we had S for a nurse. She got Jeff all set up and ready for the day on Tuesday. The chair opposite him was empty but filled very quickly. (until about noon, the chairs are usually all filled. At that point it starts to thin out, but there is a second "wave" of patients that come in  during the afternoon for their nulesta shots or other treatments.) The guy in the chair that day was a TALKER. And I mean he talked from the time he got there and got set up at 930 until he left at 130! He blamed it on the steriod making him that way. Not sure if that was the reason or if it is just his personality, but he sure kept us entertained. Some days the person in the chair opposite is very quiet. Most of the patients get IV Benedryl prior to the start of the actual chemo. That will often put them to sleep. It usually does Jeff.

Jeff's drug on Tuesday and Wednesday only runs over an hour. BUT, he has lots to do before he gets the actual chemo. He starts with a liter of fluid which has to run in over 2 hours. Then he gets 4 or 5 other meds - a couple are IV push, others have to run over 30 minutes. ANd of course, there is about 15 minutes of fluid in between each one. He finally gets the chemo around 115 on Tuesday and 1230 on Wednesday.

He hasn't had any problems so far this treatment. No 'chemo hangover' like he had last time (it started on Thursday AM last time) or nausea at this point. some of the drugs they give before the chemo are anti-nausea drugs and supposedly last a few days. He did take a pill with him to work today just in case he starts to feel queasy.

So, treatment is over, things went well during and seem good so far after.

Chemo treatment room

I'm finding myself talking to people and saying about "the patient in the other chair." so, here is some backround on the set up of the chemo area at YGBOC.

There are 12 chemo (reclining) chairs with  a companion chair beside it. Chair one sits and faces chair 2 (slightly angled facing out toward the nurses station on the opposite wall). Chair 2 and chair 3 have their backs together. Chair 3 and 4 face each other and so on down the line.  There is enough room between 1 and 2 for 2 IV pumps and a blood pressure machine. The chairs are also lined up against the outside wall which is all windows allowing you to watch the birdfeeders and the squirrels that are fat enough to look like groundhogs!  There are also two treatment rooms on one end allowing someone who needs to be alone to be in one of those rooms. Or when there are too many patients for those 12 chairs.  At the other end of the room, there is a small lounge with 2 chairs (also called into service on a very busy day) a dorm size refrigerator, a coffee pot with always fresh coffee and  a hot water spigot and a basket of snacks. There is also a shelf with different cans of soup if you want some of that for lunch while you are there. The wall opposite the chairs is the nurses station. Each nurse has her own "area" and computer on a long desk (runs the entire length of the room) looking out at the patients.

There are probably about 6 or 8 nurses back in the chemo area. Your nurse comes out to the waiting room to get you and takes you back, gets you started for the day and is your primary nurse. BUT, they all work so well together. If your machine beeps that it is time for the next drug or time to flush in between, who ever gets there first usually takes care of the "problem."

There is an art director that is in and out too. He does a lot of visiting with patients but also provides some activities depending on the day.  There is always at least one volunteer there walking around with the basket of snacks, asking if you would like something to eat,or if you need anything.

The set up is very nice and the people are wonderful.