I won't lie.
Chemo days are HARD and long.
And good.
Did I mention long?
And hard?
And good.
Yesterday we started at 8:30 a.m. and were finally done
at about 5:30, heading home.
Some of the highlights of yesterdays visit to the Huntsman
were as follows:
1. Kyle's white blood counts and red blood counts were PERFECT,
right in the "normal range".
What does this mean? Well, if they are too high (or too low)
it means NO CHEMO--his body is not strong enough to fight the
cancer OR the chemo (poison.)
2. Kyle has some pretty sexy neutrophils going on inside of him!
Admit it! You're jealous. YOU want some sexy neutrophils
going on inside of YOU. (You already have them, never fear!)
What does this mean? These little buggers are VERY important
in order to get some chemo. They are the most common type of
white blood cell, the important ones in fighting disease. If
these little guys are really low, your body can't fight
infection AT ALL. If you can't fight infection, you can't
get chemo.
3. Kyle actually GAINED TWO POUNDS in his off weeks!
Well, what's the BIG DEAL? you ask. I'll tell you what the
BIG DEAL is. He had lost about 24 pounds prior to diagnosis.
Without trying--that's what cancer does to you.
He lost a few more upon starting chemo. This just comes with
the territory. We affectionately call it "The Cancer Diet".
We're pretty sure we could bundle it and sell it in an
infomercial if the side effects (cancer being one of them)
were not so devastating.
I mean this diet beats South Beach and Low Carb by a mile!
Anyway, two pounds gained is two more pounds Kyle gets to
loose again! Seriously folks, we will take the two pound
advantage. They do it all the time on The Biggest Looser!
4. We had visitors! YAY for visitors! It is such a blessing to
have people stop by. Bring lunch or a snack. Stop for a
visit. It makes a long day, almost good. It's good to spend
time with people who care about us too!
5. We met with Shelley, Dr Sharma's P.A., who does all the dirty
work (weekly visits). Shelley is amazing and awesome and
she loves telling Kyle about his sexy neutrophils and
answering our questions.
6. Mallory did Kyle's IV line. We LIKE Mallory. A LOT! Not to
complain (bitterly) or anything but the other nurse who has
been doing Kyle's IV line...she's kind of grumpy and mean
and we think that ALL cancer patients should ONLY have the
kindest and nicest nurses out there. Are you with me?
What does this mean? (Having Mallory). It means Kyle's arm
had a "nice clean stick". She was kind and asked about our
family (yes, we are REAL people with real lives--not just a
patient with cancer.)
Mallory was pleasant and started our long day off so nicely.
7. Now for the HARD part of chemo....
I told Kyle that Thursday always make it "real."
He REALLY has cancer.
That's why we are at the Huntsman.
We are getting chemo.
Which means he REALLY has cancer.
Chemo makes him really tired.
Which means it (the chemo) is working.
BUT it also means he really has cancer.
(Can you see where I'm going here?)
Believe me when I say we're NOT in denial. We're not.
But Chemo Thursdays make it all real, all over again.
8. We will take the long and hard and good and bad. It means
we are doing something to fight this *&#& cancer for as long
as we can! We are grateful for a good "TEAM" at the Huntsman
that includes nurses and PA's and Doctors and more nurses.
All of which make our long day, a whole lot easier.
9. Kyle said last night it was amazing how one 9 hour day could
completely wipe out how good he had been feeling for the past
two weeks. BAM! Chemo in, feeling good out!
But he is grateful for a strong body that (so far) is
fighting this cancer.
10. Cancer and Chemo Thursdays. Good numbers and good nurses.
Friends and Family. ....That's what I've got for today!
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