Boy, was that ever a long day!!!
By daeckardt
@daeckardt (6237)
United States
May 26, 2011 7:58pm CST
As you may recall from the post I made yesterday, my chemo was moved from the cancer center to the hospital about 8am because they knew it would take longer than the time that the office would be open. Boy, were they ever right about that!!! I got there by 8:30 and they had to wait on the orders to be sent from the cancer center and once they got there they had to send them to the pharmacy to get the drugs needed. They had to have the Avistan sent from the cancer center because it was not available through the university pharmacy, but it didn't matter because it was already there before they even got the pre-meds to me. It was almost noon before they got me started on even a saline solution IV and then they got the pre-meds started. They got done with the quick things by about 5 or 6 last night and then they started on the desensitization. The first bag had .056% of the drug and was put in over an hour. The second bag had .56% and was also put in over an hour. The third bag had 5.6% and was also an hour. The fourth bag was 56% and was put in over three hours. I had no reaction during this time so that was a good thing. I think during the whole time I slept for maybe an hour after the first dose of benedryl. The second round didn't have as much of an effect on me. In the end, It was about 2am when it was finished and they let me sleep there for a couple of hours. I finally got home around 7am (a full day after I left). I hope the next time I don't have to go through all that again or if I do have to continue with the desensitization that they are able to get me started a little sooner so that I don't lay around waiting as long. I think that was the worst part of the whole ordeal. Oh well...at least it's over with for this week! Have a great day!!!
1 person likes this
7 responses
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
27 May 11
Actually, I think they are trying to keep me alive!
They just have a strange way of doing it!
They just have a strange way of doing it!1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
27 May 11
So in about six weeks they will be looking to see if they are having positive results, right?
1 person likes this
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
28 May 11
They are supposed to do another cat scan after the last treatment so yes, that should be about 6 weeks. I am sure the results will be good because I have had feces coming out the rectum as well as the bladder and before surgery that wasn't happening so it seems like the colon is opening up a little more than it was. Of course, the tumors were too small to show up on the cat scan even in the beginning so unless they open me up again (possibly to repair the fistula), they won't be able to see if it is really gone. I'm not sure what's going to happen after this is over with. I hope they can do the repair so I can get rid of the colostomy.
@margeryann (1845)
• United States
27 May 11
I bet you were real tired! Hopefully it doesn't take as long next time. You probably slept real good after you got home.It is good that they just do it once a week. Have a good weekend and thank you for keeping us up to date on what you are going through!
1 person likes this
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
28 May 11
The only reason it won't take as long next time is because they will call a week ahead and let them know that I am coming so they can start when I get there instead of having to wait for the orders to get transferred and prescriptions filled. The actual infusions will take just as long, but they can start much sooner. I will start out at the hospital instead of having to transfer there. Also, it is every three weeks. I don't think I could handle going through that every week.
@margeryann (1845)
• United States
31 May 11
I'm glad that it is only every 3 weeks and that it won't take as long since you can get right in there and get it done.That would be even more tiring having to go through that every week.Hopefully you don't get sick anymore with your treatments. Hopefully you had a good weekend and have a good week!
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
27 May 11
How often do you have to have this type of chemo.? Would you have to go through this every week? That is so awful. I agree, the waiting is often the worst part of anything.
1 person likes this
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
27 May 11
I go through treatments every three weeks. I hope the rest won't take that long, but at least there are only 2 more to go so it shouldn't be too bad.
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
27 May 11
omg, thats terrible to just loose your whole day like that. well, it will be worth it all when its over with this time and you are well again. prayers, hugs, and blessings dear. 
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
27 May 11
I hope you're right! I just hope that the other problems take don't start up again...the joint pains, nausea, and most recently, bladder control problems. Oh the life of a cancer patient!
@marguicha (230334)
• Chile
27 May 11
Hi Deb,
You are brave and tough. I envy you! I´m having very small tests compared to any of the things they do to you, yet I come home exausted. Ihope you know that I´m thinking of you and wishing you well every moment. A big hug!!!
. Ihope you know that I´m thinking of you and wishing you well every moment. A big hug!!!1 person likes this
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
28 May 11
Thanks for the comments. I don't know how I missed seeing this one last night. I have a pretty strong stamina most of the time except when I am in extreme pain. So far I haven't been except for about a week after chemo and I'm afraid that will start in the next day or so. Oh well...Have a great weekend!!!
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
9 Jun 11
Wow, that really does sound like a long day. When my husband had his first round of chemo, I thought it was a really long day at it only took us about seven hours to have it done. Then, when we went in for the second treatment two weeks ago it actually took only about three hours, so I was pretty happy about that. His treatment this week, however, is going to take longer because he has an appointment with his oncologist before he has to go to the infusion center (simply two different buildings.)
1 person likes this
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
9 Jun 11
During my first three treatments, I would get labs drawn at 8 or so (2nd floor) then see the gyn/onc about an hour later for lab results then go through about 6 hours or so of treatment (carbo normally takes about half an hour and now it takes 6 hours, taxol takes about 3 hours and avistan takes about half an hour and the premeds take about half an hour or so). Now I have to go through two rounds of premeds, one at the beginning and one before they start the carbo desensitization. I didn't have any problem with the first desensitization, but they will do the last two treatments in the same manner because they don't want me to have another reaction to it. Now I get the labs drawn on Tuesday and see the doctor on Wednesday morning then I go across town to the hospital for the treatment. Oh well...I'll see what happens next week.
@hardworkinggurl (37062)
• United States
27 May 11
Hi daeckardt,
Gosh sounds like you have been through a great deal, hopefully now you are well rested. I also hope that you are not undergoing any side effects.
I am glad they allowed you rest for a few hours, would have dreaded to hear they sent you off after such a long day. Amazing how any type of doctor and or hospital visit stretches out for so long in a day.
But now for some rest until your next treatment. 
Gosh sounds like you have been through a great deal, hopefully now you are well rested. I also hope that you are not undergoing any side effects.
I am glad they allowed you rest for a few hours, would have dreaded to hear they sent you off after such a long day. Amazing how any type of doctor and or hospital visit stretches out for so long in a day.
But now for some rest until your next treatment.
1 person likes this
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
27 May 11
I slept about 5 hours after I got home so I'm not tired right now. When they have to put the infusions in over a certain amount of time, it can really stretch out. I just hope that the last two treatments don't have to be done in the same way, but they probably will. I should call the office tomorrow to see when they want me to come in next. I didn't get to see the doctor this week so I don't know how things look. It seems like all I do is rest and I'm tired of it. Have a great day!!!
Have a great day!!!