BIG DAY OVER

The big day is over! Hurray!!

Got to the cancer center and checked in okay. They weighed me and I lost another 10 pounds (from dr. office scale). I now weigh what I weighed over 20 years ago. Still can lose more weight before I get to where I really should be.

Went to my little cubicle with the reclining chair where the nurse (Linda) did the access to my port for the IV's. She gave me 2 Tylenol and 1 Benedryl. After around 30 minutes or so she started the Ritux at the lowest of 5 settings. All was going okay until the time came to bump it up to the next level (faster rate). After around 5 minutes my forehead started feeling warm, then my eyes and finally my cheeks turned red. She turned off the drip until I returned to a 'cooler' state, then started it up at the lower level. When it came time to bump it up again, she put it at a lower number than the usual rate to stretch it out a little more.

Someone comes and takes blood pressure, temperature and oxygen level every 30 minutes. After Linda bumped me up to the next level (after about 5 minutes) I was checked again and my blood pressure started to go down. It eventually went down to the 80's over 60's (don't know exact but it was in that range). She stopped the drip and they checked me again after a few minutes, but my pressure was still very low. I was also a little dizzy when I tried to sit up (sore tail bone). After calling the dr. she gave me a liter of saline to bring up my volume. That took an hour. Finally my pressure went up into the 90's and the dr.'s nurse said to start it up again (regen me). Linda kept the drip at the level that no reaction occurred. She said she could bump it up again, but even though it will take longer it might be better to keep it at that rate and get the entire thing in.

Finally after 7 hours I was finished (in more ways than one!). They did give me a nice roast beef sandwich for lunch (11:30). Was able to get up and not be dizzy and we were outta there.

Poor Jim ... just sitting there all day long. At least he had his laptop, movies, and was able to use the center's wi-fi. He also got a break when he went out to lunch (they don't feed guests).

Quick stop at Super 1 where Jim bought me a bottle of water (33 oz) and homeward bound. Was too late to call library to let you all know.

I have to drink 3 quarts of water for at least 48 hours after infusion. I managed to get it in me before I went to bed. Of course what goes in must come out so every couple of hours thoughout the wee (hee hee) hours meant a visit to the bathroom.

Today (Sat) I at least have all day to drink it. Almost have the last quart finished.

Sorry it took so long to post this, but Friday I was wiped out.

Love to all