HOOK ME UP BEFORE YOU GO GO

"Don't leave me hanging on like a yo-yo"..... Well that is exactly what they did (kinda).   Tuesday we had our first treatment appointment.  We started with blood work, quick visit with the

Waiting for Treatment

doctor before going to the treatment center.    Bobby's parents joined us but only one person is allowed in during treatment so we took turns a bit. 

Because his sodium levels were critically low (due to the severe sweating/chills episodes)  he received some fluids along with a 2 hour chemo infusion of Oxaliplatin, the "loading dose" as they referred to it. 

Then the wonderful pharmacist came in and explained in amazing detail all the possible side effects of the chemo, like sensitivity to 

Port-a-Cath (Hook up location)

cold surfaces (never heard of that one).   Wow, she was great, and we wished she was the regular Dr. (no offense Dr. Chao) She was so detailed and articulate and gave us the how to, the what not, and if when's of our take home gift  "The Pump" or as I liked to call it "The Murse".   I offered to bedazzle it for him, but for some reason he declined. Hmmmph! 

The next phase of the chemo would be a 36 hour constant infusion pump that he would constantly wear like a purse (or yo-yo, see above reference).   It contained chemo called the "5-FU" or Flourouracil. Apparently there are over 300 different types of chemo with all different side effects,  per the pharmacist. 

Then WHAM! (see how I tied that in?) we were done. Treatment is every two weeks to give his body time to recover.  So far, his fever/chills stopped which is good.  He did get a massive case of the hiccups for several days which was not good for sleeping (for either of us).  We are hoping his energy levels perk up so he is not exhausted all the time,  but now we are moving on the right track.