Friday, August 13

Well this week started good but ended sad. Let me explain.

Tuesday went for my weekly blood test. Thank God D was back and ready with the needle. His new nickname is "One Stick D"! As usual the the Lab's came back Wednesday morning very good (Platelets 350 and White at 7). Not bad for 14 weeks of chemo!!!

I was ready for the Wednesday having hydrated myself for 3 days. I was ready to float away from all the water I had consumed. This week I had Angel for a nurse and although she had gotten my IV in one time, after she heard about last week she didn't want to take a chance. So who does she call - Roxanne. Now Roxy is our favorite nurse but after last week I wasn't very confident - but she was. Well, she did a great job. One stick and she was in. Between hydrating and keeping my arm warm my veins didn't go into hiding. We have learned (and it only took 14 weeks) that the chemo room is so cold that even Mark's bulging veins go into hiding. So the first thing I did was grab a blanket and keep the arm warm.

Treatment was uneventful except I have developed restless legs (which I think is being caused by the Benedryl) which makes relaxing difficult. Wednesday was worse then it has been in the past. Need to talk to doc if this is going to continue.

Because you never get in at your appt time and the time it takes to get the IV in (most of the time I think is due to them not wanting to do it and waiting until they know it has to be done) I'm usually one of the last out (around 6:30PM). Well three of us were left in the room - but only two of us walked out. Yep, one of the patients went into cardiac arrest during chemo, coded and died right there. The nurses pulled the drape around us but that doesn't make it sound proof as we got a step by step of the action. As you could imagine the staff was a little freaked out. I don't think this is a regular occurrence (at least I hope not). I did talk to my girlfriend Vicki who is a doc on staff the next day and found out she was actuality there at the code.

I have an appointment next week after chemo with my doc. I'm guessing she will send me for a CAT scan to see if this stuff is working. I'll let you all know as I will need super duper energy and positive thinking so that I get some good results.

Our 7th Annual golf outing is next week and I think it will be one of our biggest and most profitable to date. A lot of sponsor checks pouring in thanks to all by friends, family and business associates. It's going to be a long day but I have many volunteers this year who are helping.

So it was a great week for me - not so good for Walt, may he rest in peace. Until next week thanks for all your love and support.