This chemo treatment is one long continuous IV over the course of 48 hours. Derek has been drifting in and out of sleep all day, and he says he feels lousy. No wonder, with surgery yesterday, and chemo today (not to mention the enemy within).
It looks like we'll keep taking him to Primary's for each treatment. He will receive chemo every two weeks (yes, 2!) The next one will take five continuous days of IV drip, also in the hospital. Any blood transfusions can be taken care of in Cedar or St. George. Those will have to happen whenever his red blood count gets too low.
In between times we have to be extra careful about sanitation in our home. Derek wants visitors, but we have to be cautious because his immune system will be low. So, everyone who comes has to wash hands and remove shoes. It is vital that he not be exposed to even a cold or flu during the times when his white blood cells are wiped out by the chemo. Maybe phone calls or emails would be best during these times.
There is so much that we don't know about this. Maybe that's a good thing. We'll take this one step at a time. And for those of you who have endured or helped someone through cancer, our hearts go out to you!
---(posted by Jeanne)
For some reason, the thought that always goes through my mind when I hear about individuals' battles with diseases like cancer is: "What would have happened to him/her if he/she were a pioneer and had this medical condition?" It kind of puts the barbaric nature of chemotherapy in a different perspective; however, it doesn't make chemotherapy any easier to watch or to undergo. Good luck to and God's blessings on your whole family and most especially Derek!
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