Chemotherapy Session - Round Two

 5-24-2022 Update – Round two of chemotherapy (Monday 5-23-2022)

I wanted to wait until the following day post chemo appointment to post an update to the blog.  There are so many thoughts going through our minds wondering if anything is going to happen that I often forget to do common things like responding to text messages, phone calls, emails, etc.

 

We did not meet with Dr. Vandermolen yesterday before the infusion therapy, but we did meet with his nurse.  She went over any questions or concerns that we may have after the first round along with answering questions we had.  Answers from the nurse will be below each question.

1.     Are there any concerns with receiving flowers from friends and family?  We heard that some flowers could cause some sensitivity issues while on chemo.

a.     No, unless she feels any discomfort or gets sensitive to certain flowers, there is nothing to be concerned about.

2.     Toothpaste and flossing, any issues we should be concerned about?

a.     Any toothpaste is fine.  Lauren should reduce the frequency she is flossing her teeth to reduce the risk of infection in the mouth.  Her immune system is already being taxed, no need to cause a separate issue that is controllable.

3.     Why does Lauren pee so much?  

a.     We all know her bladder is the size of a green pea, but it’s due to her drinking a lot of Coors Light, I mean water.

4.     Can Lauren use nail clippers?  

a.     Yes, assuming she knows how to handle one without cutting her toe or finger off.

5.     Therapist or a Licensed Clinical Social Worker?  Will elaborate below.

 

So, we got some positive news when we were speaking to the nurse yesterday morning.  It appears that Lauren may be chemotherapy tolerant and the side effects she experienced from her first round will likely be consistent from here on out.  The other good news is that Dr. Vandermolen wants to conduct another measurement of the tumor on Tuesday as he thinks it may have shrunken is size by now.  Lauren hasn’t really had any interest in monitoring the size of the tumor until yesterday, she does think it’s shrinking, and coincidently, she isn’t getting any discharge.

 

Let’s circle back to #5 above.  There are so many thoughts, expectations, and hearsay when it comes to how someone will react to chemotherapy.  Lauren has been doing an excellent job on not trying to find more information on the internet about people’s first-hand experience with chemotherapy.  She did reach out to a few, but even those who she spoke to, all had vastly different side effects.  I think Lauren is trying to understand and grapple how her body is supposed to react to this potent medication, so much so that it’s getting to her head.  I can tell her she’s doing great, give her all the support she needs, but I’m not the one that is going through this physically.  We have received a few referrals and have reached out to a few Licensed Clinical Social Workers who have experience working with cancer patients.  I think it will be great having someone who’s outside of the friends and family circle give their nonbiased thoughts and opinions about Lauren’s concerns, and mine too.

 

By now it’s been about three weeks since Lauren had her port installed, so it’s had some time to heal up nicely.  Sitting in the waiting room, Lauren’s name was finally called, and we proceed to her bay where we get situated with the nurse.  It was a different nurse from the last time we were at the clinic and just like the last one, they have all been an absolute pleasure to work with.  Before the nurse sticks the needle into Lauren’s port, they spray a cooling chemical on the skin to reduce the feeling of the needle.  Next time we are there, the nurse indicated they will use lidocaine to further reduce the feeling of the needle going into the port.  Whatever they can do reduce the feeling of the needle going into her port makes Lauren a happy camper.

 

During the entire infusion time, Lauren had a great attitude, and she was not under any pain.  By the end, she did loose most of the coloring in her face, was tired, but that was the extent of the initial onset side effects.  Unlike her first session, she did have an appetite and ate well in the evening.  

Insert hot wife picture here.

Next week when we meet with Dr. Vandermolen, we hope to give you some medical updates as to how the chemo is progressing and fighting the tumor.

 

As always, thank you to everyone for all the help and support.

 

Love,

 

Chris