The Cycle 6 Chemotherapy Liveblog

After a series of technical difficulties -- i.e,, I couldn't get on the Group Health network -- the Cycle 6 liveblog can finally start.

A quick rundown on the events so far...

Today's chemo companion is Sib2, who unfortunately locked his keys in his truck when he got to my condo. Sib2, like me, drives a convertible and was swapping his jacket for a lighter vest and inadvertently left his keys in his jacket pocket when he shut the truck on his jacket. This would be less of a problem if the top of the car wasn't also in the truck. Hopefully, the car will still be there when today's chemo cycle is over -- and hopefully it won't rain.

IHOP, today's breakfast destination, was out of avocado. Sib2 and I were both going to have the avocado, bacon and cheese omelette, but the waitress was very surprised to see avocado on the (new) menu as they didn't actually have avocado. We learned a lot about the IHOP menu development procedures in the course of ordering our (avocado-free) omelettes.

I also learned that it takes longer for the GHC lab to run a test for urine protein than it does the related blood test, as the latter test was not available to the oncologist. But, since the trend wasn't that terrible, I was cleared for another round of Avastin (joy).

And with that, we're pretty much up to date. I was just given a variety of painkillers and anti-nausea medications, and now we're just waiting for the chemo to be delivered. 

10:24 am
Waiting. The order for the chemo just went in, so this will likely not be an early day.

10:46 am
The Avastin has started, and my head is already pounding. Psychosomatic symptoms are the best. (Yes, that was sarcasm.) Thirty minutes and counting...

10:58 am
Sib2's spouse has brought the spare key to his car, so he's off for a bit to put the lid back on it and move it to a legal parking space. Since I am now by myself, I will spend the time articulating the things that are better than chemotherapy.

11:28 am
Avastin is done and now the chemo is flowing. Two hours for this one. And my head is still pounding. I'll give it half an hour then ask for another round of painkillers. Oh, and the dead Tin Man flavor is back in my saliva again. Bleeh...

11:50 am
Finally, something interesting happens. Somehow, the infusion pump on the chemo got set to push drug at an accelerated rate -- about four times faster than intended. Luckily, Sib2 noticed and we called a nurse. They stopped the pump and are not conferring with the pharmacist to find out a) what the risks associated with fifteen minutes of infusing at a 4x rate are, and b) what they should do about it now. 

Who knew a chemo infusion could actually be eventful?

12:01 pm
It's all good. Apparently there's a clinical trial being conducted somewhere that shows that my particular chemo can be administered over thirty minutes (rather than two hours) without problem. However, since it's only one study GHC follows the standard two hour protocol. But we don't need to worry that my infusion got off to an accelerated start. 

Unfortunately, they've now slowed everything down so it'll still take two hours despite the fact that the bag was half gone after fifteen minutes. 

12:13 pm
My chemo neighbor has opted for hospital food. I have to admit, it smells really good.

1:14 pm
Well, that's about that. The nurse is about to hook me up to the portable pump and I'll be off. So let's call this one done. Time to find lunch...