Week 5 (really week 4)

I noticed while rereading my blog posts that I some how got a week ahead of myself, so I need to fix my error.  The call from the doctor's office to set the appointment for getting the Mayo Clinic results of the biopsies came at the end of Week 2.  Week 4 really should be Week 3.  I hope this doesn't confuse my readers - goodness knows, I'm confused enough these days!  lol

The end of Week 3 had my sister in an uproar - to say the very least.  As I mentioned earlier, her pain was increasing, she was getting angry with herself because she was no longer able to even go to the grocery store without getting extremely exhausted not even half way through her shopping, she did not have enough oomph to play with her grandson (this REALLY bothered her the most), and she was still very upset with the insurance company and the slowness of their decision to approve her PET scan.

Monday, the day of her first treatment, had finally arrived. YIPPEE!!!  I was "volunteered" (and gladly, I might say) to be the chauffeur.  We arrived at the Cancer Clinic a little early because she had to have her blood drawn to see what her white count was.  If the count was too low, she would not be able to under go the treatment.  We held our breath for the good word, which arrived about 10 minutes later (seemed like an eternity).  Another YIPPEE!!!  I wanted to do the "Happy Dance."  We were escorted to an examination room where, once again waiting for the oncologist seemed like an eternity.

My sister's oncologist looks as if he just graduated from high school; what a cutie!!  He should give lessons to grumpy doctors who do not possess very good bedside manners.  After meeting with him, hearing what he had to say about the PET scan results, and his optimism with regard to her treatment for this disease, I feel so much more at ease.  As my professor for Anatomy & Physiology II, Grant Iannelli, told me, "It is not a death sentence.  Once again, I am ready to do the Happy Dance.

Her treatment lasted a little under six (6) hours, and only had one spine- tingling, heart-racing panic incident when the Retuxan (which is very strong Non-Hodgkin lymphoma chemo drug) started closing her airway.  I just learned in A&P II that this is caused when the lymph nodes of the neck swell and squeeze the trachea shut.  All this time, I thought something inside the throat caused the blocking of airways.  Learn something new everyday.  The bad part about her panic attack was the fact that I was not there to come to her aid and comfort because I had left the building to run errands.  I found out via a text message from her. 

The oncologist informed my sister that she would probably lose her hair over the next two (2) weeks, and that she would more than likely experience nausea; none of which has occurred so far ... knock on wood.  And, nothing of else of importance took place this week, so I will leave you gentle people now.