08/11/09 Third Week of Treatment

08/11/09 Well we were up early and out the door by 7:15 am for three of us getting ready we did pretty good. Traffic was not bad this morning so we got to the Moakley Bldg early and up to the Stem Cell Clinic 15 minutes early. Boy did Joe get paid back for all the ribbing he gave out during the Yankees/Red Sox Series. Well one by one the nurses and doctors came in and we were sitting in the waiting area and each one of them had something to say about the Yankees losing the game last night against Toronto and the Red Sox beating the Tigers. He took it in stride though; it actually helped with the nervousness we were all feeling. So we started out with the usual routine of weight, blood pressure and blood test. Then they had to give Joe two hours of hydration and anti-nausea meds before the chemo. Dr. Sanchorawala and Lisa came in and talked with Joe again about everything that would be happening to him over the next few days. They examined him again checked his vitals. He was ready to start the Melphalan this is given over 20 minutes through his catheter, 10 mins prior to starting they have Joe start packing his mouth with ice chip he will continue to do this for a total hour so before, during and after the chemo is being administered. This will shuts down the blood supply to the mouth and protects Joe from serious mouth sores. Side effects don't usually occur right away. They usually begin about 5 days after receiving chemo. They tell us the toughest week is likely to be the week after chemo. Chemotherapy works by attacking the cells that reproduce quickly - both good cells and the bad. In addition to the disease cells, chemo attacks hair cells, and the thin lining of the mouth, esophagus and stomach. The most common side effect are: hair loss, mouth sores, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue and low blood counts. Joe will also have a compromised immune system so he will need to wear a mask when he is out in the general public and from the time he leaves the stem cell clinic until he gets back to the apartment and then when he returns to the stem cell clinic each day. He is on several medications for anti-nausea and several antibiotics which I will be responsible to administer several times a day which I have been given a chart to follow and check off as I give them to him. He also has to rinse his mouth before and after every meal with baking soda and water and before bed. Joe has remained in good spirits through most of the day he really hated the ice but once his mouth was frozen it was not to bad until it started defrosting. He was acting goofy singing to the ipod he had Lorrie and me cracking up because he would break out in song (usually a Fergie song) and not realize he was singing so loud because he had the earphones on. Tonight he is a little worn down but not feeling to bad. Well I have attached a few pictures of Joe with the ice and looking like the invisible man or MJ. Also I wanted you to see one of the pages of meds he is on that is page one of the check sheets. Joe gets to do all this again tomorrow so keep praying and hopefully tomorrow will go as well as today. We love you and God Bless.