There is a definite rhythm to a long term hospital stay. It is not like life on the outside. The beat is driven by food delivery, doctor rounds, med administration, taking of vitals, tests, blood draws, etc. All of which can happen at any hour...day or night. Sleep is ancillary. If you are scheduled for vitals at 2 pm and your blood draw is at 3, so be it. So you learn to catch little cat naps of an hour or two when you can.
I’m currently sitting comfortably here at Cedars Sinai….by all measures a first tier hospital. I’ve got fractured ribs (don’t ask!) and a line of chemo therapy in my PIC line delivering what we expect to be a knockout punch to the leukemia cells. Earlier today, the also set me up to toss some chemo directly into my spinal fluid….which is apparently a place they like to hide. It did’t hurt at all
Chemo began last night around 10pm. It was proceeded by a consent form reading that was apparently written by Steven King about all the possible side effects of what I was about to endure. It definitely scared the crap out of me, but it went better than I had feared. The only hiccup involved severe tremors that began around 2 pm. They responded by suspending the chemo, giving me some meds, and turning it back on at a slower rate. They also hopped me up with IV Benadryl (imagine!) and some Adavan that succeeded in conking me out so that I actually got pretty close to a normal night of sleep.
So, as of now, I’m resting comfortably. Not having any bad reaction to the poison pulsing through my body. And looking forward to moving things forward so I can get home and reboot my life. I’m again very grateful for all the kind support. It is my oxygen. Thank you all!
The word “intrathecal” has always scared me, so good to hear it wasn’t painful getting it plumbed. I hope the days ahead continue as best they can be. Thinking of you. Stay strong.
ReplyDeleteStay strong, dear friend. All your friends are in your corner. You will win this fight. Nothing can beat the strength of your character.
ReplyDeleteEd, dam you are one hell of a good writer. Colorful. Able to provide a visual picture of what life is like when having chemicals pumped through your body. I admire your trust. I am inspired with your optimism. You are one tough WI dude. Your strength and strong belief will see you through this. This I firmly belief. And as you advised me -- fight. Fight on.
ReplyDeleteSounds very good. And I'm not asking about the ribs.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm not a robot.
ReplyDeleteSubsequent to this comment in 2018, it has come to my attention that I may, in fact, be a robot. I apologize for the inadvertent deception.
DeleteI am rereading all posts, 2006 to present. There is much to be learned in these words, and I thank you.
As Rodger McGuinn of The Byrds might say,"I trust everything will work out fine. Best wishes and hopefully a good night's rest Ed!
ReplyDeleteEd, yours was the first blog I read after being diagnosed in 2011. I followed your journey, to see what I was going to go through myself. So surprised to hear this, as I am sure you were, too. All my good thoughts and wishes are with you as you fight this battle.
ReplyDeleteYour courage and humor continue to inspire. Hang in there, Ed. Your smile says it all.
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