10. "Think Positive"

This week has been a rough one! I went to court yesterday morning for a hearing over the garnishment of my bank account and found out that they aren't going to give back the money they took. I'm not in the least bit surprised but I was so hoping that they would! I would not benefit from it financially but at least my bank account wouldn't be overdrawn. God only knows when I'll be able to straighten that mess out.
Chemo was pretty rough this week! They always have trouble with his veins. It was coming along pretty smooth and then all of a sudden the IV slipped out of his vein and the chemo drug paclitaxol was getting under his skin. The next thing we know the nurses are all whispering and panicking looking through medical books to find out what to do next(which as you might guess has us both very nervous and scared.)The next thing that happens is that the nurse comes in with an ice pack sets it on his arm and starts searching for another vein. The first question I asked was "What is going to happen with his arm?" and "What is the worst case scenario?" I was a bit surprised at her response after all of the fuss they were making. She said that it might swell and become infected and he may need an antibiotic. So far, it looks okay! I sure hope they know what they are talking about!
It then took her 8 tries on finding a good vein and fishing around in his hand and arm before she asked someone else to try and find one. I have to say that I really don't like this nurse. This isn't the first time we've had an issue with her. As I'm watching her fish for a vein I can see her tremble from being nervous as if she's never done this before. The whole time she's doing this, my poor husband is sweating profusely and in agony. I wanted to push her away and do it myself!! She has done this to other patients as well. The other nurses have commented about her on a regular basis. I don't know why she still has a job in this department.
The next nurse comes in and gets it in one try!( no fishing!) So now the first nurse pulls me aside and suggests that my husband gets a port. I absolutely don't want to see him go through that pain and agony again but I really have apprehensions about him getting a port. (Too many horror stories to discuss!)This same nurse also tries to put her arm on my shoulder and apologize and say that she understands and knows what we're going through. (For some reason she wasn't convincing.)
So now I will let him decide and support his decision. I pray everyday that things will get better and that we'll get through this hurdle!
I remind him and the kids that things could always be worse. We still have each other!
Thank you to all of you that read and follow my blog and for all of your prayers and support! Until next time, God Bless!

9. "Hope"

We've just finished week 4 of what started out to be 7. So far radiation is still only 37 treatments but chemo has been increased to 11 weeks (so far that is). We saw the chemo Dr. this week and he told us that they were never going to deviate from the original treatment plan. He thought maybe their original tests may have been a false negative so they decided to add to the original plan to be on the safe side. Which to be honest still tells us nothing more than before but, the Dr. did say that they still have a strong hope that he can beat it!
Keith was not feeling too positive after seeing the Dr. He was very down. He is dreading having more chemo along with more nasty side effects. He's feeling more of the side effects with the current treatments and can't imagine what he'll go through with the new ones. He will get a couple of weeks break and start again only on a much stronger and aggressive treatment. This new treatment will hopefully prevent it from coming back!! They want him to have 2-4 of the new treatments. The good part is no radiation!
I will say that I am so happy it's FRIDAY!!!! A 3 day vacation for us all! No Dr.'s, and no school! I think we all need to enjoy the long weekend! Next week will be long for us!
Thank you again for reading my blog! Have a great holiday weekend!! God Bless!