Everything’s going smoothly, so far

 Edie, Treatments  3 Responses »
Sep 112008
 

Edie made it through her Cytoxan infusion today with little or no problem. It was a long day though, starting at 8 AM and ending a little after 4.

So now it’s on to the insertion of the Hickman Line. For that we have to be at the City of Hope at 6:30 AM tomorrow, and I have to take her. Since she needs to be sedated for the insertion, they won’t let her drive herself home after wards.

The insertion should only take about 15 minute, so with a couple of hours in recovery, we should be home by noon.

I just hope they have Wi-Fi access in the hospital, so at least I’ll be able to occupy myself while I’m waiting.

 Posted by at 6:15 pm

Things are really starting to move along now

 Edie, Treatments  No Responses »
Sep 102008
 

Tomorrow morning, 8 AM, Edie goes for her Cytoxan infusion. She only has one infusion of Cytoxan, but it’s a doozy, lasting 6 hours. And the side effects, you should see the drugs she has to take to mitigate just some of them.

Then Friday she goes for the insertion of the Hickman Line, after which she starts her Neupogen injections, which she has to give to herself, and then in less than a month the transplant begins.

Jeez, a 6 hour infusion with the possibility of some unpleasant side effects, and then injections you have to administer yourself. I don’t know what I’m going to do when my time comes. I’m not even sure I’ll make it through the next two days, and I’m not the one being treated.

I’ll tell you, I am not a happy camper. There are just way too many things going on in my life right now, that I have absolutely no control over.

 Posted by at 11:55 pm

Right on schedule

 Edie, Treatments  3 Responses »
Sep 042008
 

Only one test left, a bone marrow biopsy, plus the consultation for the insertion of the Hickman Line, both scheduled for tomorrow, and Edie will be on her way towards the completion of an autologous stem cell transplant, tentatively scheduled to begin October 10th.

We’ve even received a schedule from the transplant coordinator at the City of Hope, and barring any surprises, Edie should be back home the beginning of November, as good as new.

  • September 5 – Bone Marrow Biopsy and consult for the insertion of the Hickman Line
  • September 11 – Chemotherapy (Cytoxan) begins
  • September 12 – Insertion of Hickman Line, and start of Neupogen injections (used to stimulate the production of stem cells)
  • September 22 – Stem cell collection starts, and continues until enough stem cells have been collected
  • October 10 – Admitted to the City of Hope to begin transplant process
  • November 1 – Return home

[BIG SIGH] This is surely going to be the longest two months of my life.

 Posted by at 4:40 pm

Done with Vegas

 Vacations  4 Responses »
Sep 012008
 

I don’t know what it is with me and vacations any more.

This was supposed to be a last fling before Edie begins, in earnest, the preparation for her stem cell transplant. We would stay at the Wynn, see a couple of shows and have a few good meals. Unfortunately this vacation did not live up to expectations.

Not even the Wynn, which I still consider the nicest hotel on the strip, and the only place I would stay in Vegas, fully lived up to expectations.

Maybe it was the holiday weekend, but the service at the pool on Saturday, and the service at the Terrace Pointe Cafe, where we had lunch that same day, was less than stellar. It’s like we were invisible to the people who were serving us. Certainly not what I would have expected from past experience at the Wynn.

But even beyond that, Vegas has become just another tourist trap. Everything is WAY over priced and too congested. It was like we were navigating an obstacle course, dodging people as we walked down the street or in the casino’s, and almost every where someone was trying to hustle you into signing up for something.

Even the food was disappointing. Certainly nothing to write home about. I could easily get as good, or even better meals, for a lot less money at several restaurants in the LA/Long Beach area, and I wouldn’t have to drive 300 miles.

We did see two shows, Danny Ganz and the Beatles Love Cirque du Sole. I didn’t like Danny Ganz at all (Edie did though), and the Beatles Love was enjoyable, but after Jersey Boys, nothing can compare.

So I’ve had enough of Vegas. No more!

If we go anywhere again, it will be to some South Seas tropical island, where there are no crowds, or we’ll just stay home. I can’t think of much I can get elsewhere, that southern California doesn’t offer.

I can even go gambling, if I desire, and best of all, I can still ride my bike every day!

I Love LA!

 Newer Entries