July 19, 2008 Update

Gus' first chemo treatment was totally uneventful.  We met with the doctor first and he answered every question on our minds, then he escorted us to the infusion room.  The nurses put Gus in a recliner, covered him with a warm blanket and he slept through the infusion.  From start to finish, it lasted 1 1/2 hours.  Once again he wore his "Boots".  I was also put in a recliner with a warm blanket and watched TV.  Each infusion cubicle has a private T.V. with a hundred satellite channels to watch.  (I did try to keep my volume down so I didn't disturb Gus too much.)  From the cancer center, we then drove 5 miles or so to where the specialty nurses take care of the PIC line.  Each week, the PIC line needs one of these "professional nurses" checking it and changing the dressing.  Even on our week break from treatment, we will go to Bozeman for the PIC line.

 

Gus slept part of the way home and was fine.  No nausea at all.  In the evening, though, the pain came with a vengeance.   This is the worst we had seen the pain.  Whether the chemo triggered something, or Gus just let the pain get too far advanced before taking the pain medication, we do not know.  We will definitely be prepared next week.  

 

Gus will have 3 chemo treatments to start his treatment with a drug called gemcitabinc (gemzer) which is just injected through the PIC line.  Once a week on Fridays for three consecutive Fridays.   This drug should have hardly any side effects.  Then Gus gets one week off for the bone marrow to heal, then possibly another week of rest.  They will decide when we reach that point.  The treatment will then accelerate.  He will be put on a continuous infusion of 5-FU chemo and this will include the pump he will wear all the time.  At the same time the daily radiation (Monday through Friday) will start.  The 5-FU and the daily radiation treatments will last 6-7 weeks.  The final phase is another 3 weeks of the gemcitabinc (gemzer).  The overall treatment will last almost four months.  Gus did make sure the doctor knew about the last week in October being hunting camp and Gus had every intention of being there.   I loved the look on the doctor's face when Gus told him the rules.  The doctor is in full support and I am sure he will not forget.

 

Today Gus is better, just exhausted.  Fatigue will be play a large part in Gus' day.  Because his immune system will be so suppressed, his social life will have to take a vacation.   We are taking one day at a time and loving the beauty around us.