Chemo and Radiation
October 20, 2008 - Today we started our day with the first dose of chemo at 7:30 a.m. This is a sample of our day according to Wes' medication.
7:30 a.m. - 2 tablets of anti-nausea
8:00a.m. - 4 chemo capsules
8:30-9:00a.m. - Dilanten
Noon - Dilanten
Supper - Dilanten
Supper - antibiotics (Monday, Wednesday & Friday)
After Wes started his chemo regimen this morning we walked over for a quick coffee and a muffin at Tim's in the Grant Park Mall which is right across from Nic's apartment, we then went to Health Sciences Centre for Wes' first radiation treatment. It is only about a 10-15 minute drive which is why we have decided to live with our son Nic while we are going through treatment. Wes felt that to be on the road for 3 hours or so could be tiring and though he has come a long way in the last week, I realize too that the driving alone could tire him out. Not that it would have anything to do with my driving skills and him being on edge about that...even though I know that's what you were thinking.
We got there a bit early, but didn't really have to wait, we have found that if you come a bit early they try very hard to get you in early. The radiation takes place in the basement of the CancerCare Centre. They marked Wes' radiation mask and then sent us down to the south end waiting room where the actual radiation takes place.
They called Wes in and about 20-25 minutes later he was back in the chair beside me in the waiting room, the radiation was done. He felt really good, just a bit lazy and that we know is from the Dilanten that he is still taking for any possible seizures. They also measured the amount of radiation that is going into his eyes and that will help them determine how to make adjustments for the least amount of damage to them.
After a five minute wait, one of the radiologists called us into a side office and gave us the schedule for this week which shows that our appointments are always around the 11-noon mark or shortly thereafter. Tomorrow, Tuesday, we have an appointment to see our radiation oncologist again and Wednesday Wes needs to have more blood tests, just to see how his meds are doing. The radiation oncologist seems to be quite a determined doctor. He wants Wes to have 5 full days of radiation per week until the 33 treatments are done and so that means if there is a holiday or the machine is down for maintenance which happens once a month, then they will fit him in on a Saturday or they will choose a day where he may have two sessions of radiation. They need to be 6 hours a part, so that would mean going into the hospital a bit earlier and then going back again in the late afternoon. He does not want Wes to miss any of his treatments. We are pleased with his determination.
This will be a full week.
Wes is sleeping right now, but still feeling very good. We will continue to pray for protection for his healthy brain tissue as well as for his eyes.
And now I need to go and find him a hat with a brim to protect his head from the outside elements...I don't know...go shopping? Oh well, somebody has to do it!! Zeller's here I come!
"Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God?" Psalm 77:13
7:30 a.m. - 2 tablets of anti-nausea
8:00a.m. - 4 chemo capsules
8:30-9:00a.m. - Dilanten
Noon - Dilanten
Supper - Dilanten
Supper - antibiotics (Monday, Wednesday & Friday)
After Wes started his chemo regimen this morning we walked over for a quick coffee and a muffin at Tim's in the Grant Park Mall which is right across from Nic's apartment, we then went to Health Sciences Centre for Wes' first radiation treatment. It is only about a 10-15 minute drive which is why we have decided to live with our son Nic while we are going through treatment. Wes felt that to be on the road for 3 hours or so could be tiring and though he has come a long way in the last week, I realize too that the driving alone could tire him out. Not that it would have anything to do with my driving skills and him being on edge about that...even though I know that's what you were thinking.
We got there a bit early, but didn't really have to wait, we have found that if you come a bit early they try very hard to get you in early. The radiation takes place in the basement of the CancerCare Centre. They marked Wes' radiation mask and then sent us down to the south end waiting room where the actual radiation takes place.
They called Wes in and about 20-25 minutes later he was back in the chair beside me in the waiting room, the radiation was done. He felt really good, just a bit lazy and that we know is from the Dilanten that he is still taking for any possible seizures. They also measured the amount of radiation that is going into his eyes and that will help them determine how to make adjustments for the least amount of damage to them.
After a five minute wait, one of the radiologists called us into a side office and gave us the schedule for this week which shows that our appointments are always around the 11-noon mark or shortly thereafter. Tomorrow, Tuesday, we have an appointment to see our radiation oncologist again and Wednesday Wes needs to have more blood tests, just to see how his meds are doing. The radiation oncologist seems to be quite a determined doctor. He wants Wes to have 5 full days of radiation per week until the 33 treatments are done and so that means if there is a holiday or the machine is down for maintenance which happens once a month, then they will fit him in on a Saturday or they will choose a day where he may have two sessions of radiation. They need to be 6 hours a part, so that would mean going into the hospital a bit earlier and then going back again in the late afternoon. He does not want Wes to miss any of his treatments. We are pleased with his determination.
This will be a full week.
Wes is sleeping right now, but still feeling very good. We will continue to pray for protection for his healthy brain tissue as well as for his eyes.
And now I need to go and find him a hat with a brim to protect his head from the outside elements...I don't know...go shopping? Oh well, somebody has to do it!! Zeller's here I come!
"Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God?" Psalm 77:13
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