tom's blog

weekend treatment and long weekend

Posted Sun, 11/30/2008 - 19:00 by tom

Anna had treatment back at the 5300 unit again on Saturday and Sunday. When we go over on the weekends, we have to go through admissions which always seems to take a bit of time. Once we actually get up to the 5300 unit, it's pretty quick. Saturday was a little tough as we were back in room 5316 which was one of the rooms she had for about a week straight. It was the room where her parents first saw her and that brought back some emotions. She remembered very distinctly seeing her mom that first night and her mom's reaction. She said she could picture her in the chair in the corner... That was also the room we were in until the first day of chemo... and then we went from that room to the ICU. Sunday wasn't as bad. They were ready for her, so we were in and out in less than 5 minutes and administered the chemo shot in the "playroom", rather than a room where she had stayed.

TJ is with her parents today, so we figured it was a good day to stop by the mall quickly. Our main purposes were to get re-checked for glasses and to pick up TJ's pictures. We both are due for new glasses... I think I need a different prescription and she apparently needs a new pair of Chanel glasses (we've had the needs vs wants discussion a few times, but now's probably not the time to get into these battles). Unfortunately, although there were about 6 people standing around willing to sell us frames, the actual Optometrist was booked and couldn't examine our eyes for a couple more hours. We didn't feel like sticking around, so we'll make an appointment and try again some other weekend. Earlier last week, Anna and my mom took TJ to take some X-mas pictures, so today we went and picked them up. We had to modify the order a little bit so they needed 20 minutes to print some stuff. While we were waiting for that, we ventured further into the mall and wound up going to just one store and got a couple things that were on the list, so it wasn't too bad. We then went back to pick up the pics, and then got out of there. Besides that, it was a pretty lazy day around here.

She's been dealing with a little bit of nausea for the last few days. On Friday and Saturday, it got worse than just the normal nausea feeling... it's all part of the chemo stuff, but we think this time it was not controlled as she had changed her eating schedule and thus her nausea medicine schedule. We're back on a normal schedule today, so we're hoping it stays under control.

She's back for treatment again tomorrow, then has a few days off. Hope everyone enjoyed a few extra days off and a little time with the family.

Thanksgiving and nice long weekend

Posted Sat, 11/29/2008 - 00:20 by tom

Thanksgiving has come and gone. We had a nice day at home with the family. For the most part, it was a relaxing day where I was able to watch some football. Unfortunately, the games weren't any good but it was still a nice relaxing day. Anna was crazy busy yesterday. She cooked, cleaned and even chased after TJ for a bit. I think it was the most activity she had in months. She was non-stop energy. I think the combination of not having treatment for a few days plus the holiday, gave her a little extra energy.

She had three days off from treatment, and now has treatment four days in a row... Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Anna, TJ and I went over for treatment today. She's definitely on a first name basis with just about everyone over there. Since today was a weekday, treatment was in the Cancer Center, whereas Saturday/Sunday we'll be back to the 5300 unit in the main part of the hospital. Today was a relatively quick appointment, but even with being quick the whole thing still does take a few hours. First you have to get over there, then wait... then they do a little blood work... then wait... then a consult with the doctor... then wait... then chemo. Kinda like a hockey game with three periods and a couple of intermissions. We weren't in any hurry, so it didn't really matter but I forget sometimes how involved every little step is.

While we were in the 2nd intermission, we were sitting around the waiting room and TJ decided to entertain the crowd. There were probably about 10 or so people in the waiting area. We decided to go over to the magazine rack and TJ decided to play his "that one" game as he got to point to a bunch of different magazines and have Daddy try to figure out which one was going to make him happy. After that got the crowd warmed up, he wanted to go talk with this group of four ladies who were somewhere between 50-70 years old. He decided he'd go sit on one of their laps and then the next one, and continued to work the crowd. Normally, I'm not into the "stranger" thing, but you'd like to think you are safe with a few older ladies in the Cancer Center. Plus, when we first walked over and TJ was first making them laugh, I heard one of the ladies say to the other "He sure makes you forget about all your troubles for a little while, doesn't he?". Which I think hit a bit of a soft spot in my heart. He managed to sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star from start to finish on his own, and that got a big round of applause out of the waiting area. He's been working on that one quite a bit lately and he's getting pretty good. I've tried to record it with the video camera on my cell phone, but as soon as I point the camera at him he says "Cheese", so we aren't doing too well. I'll try again this weekend, cuz it's kinda cute.

Also, on Thanksgiving morning, we received an email from the new folks that have Tino. We mailed them some paperwork and a note to thank them. The sent a nice email back and a few pictures. It really sounds like he has a nice new home and is really loved. It was a really nice thing to read on Thanksgiving morning, as it was a great reminder of just how many things we have to be thankful for this year.

Enjoy the rest of the long weekend.

More treatment and TJ gets a haircut (w/ pics)

Posted Tue, 11/25/2008 - 22:56 by tom

Anna had another round of treatment on Monday. This one was pretty quick and was back in the normal outpatient area. She has a few days off, then she's back on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. All her numbers looked good on Monday, so we're continuing to cruise along. She's been pretty achy and tired lately, which is to be expected.

My mom and Anna took TJ to get his first big boy haircut today. His hair had previously been cut at home, but this was the first time going to an actual haircut place. A couple months back, I found this cool place called Kidz Kutz in one of the local malls, which basically has little cars that kids can sit in and watch their favorite kiddie shows, while they get their haircut. It's a pretty cool concept and managed to keep him distracted for the 15 minutes or so that it takes to cut his hair. You can check out the pics here.

Happy Turkey Day. Somewhere between eating and watching football, please remember to be thankful.