Chemotherapy Cycle 3, Day 1- The midway point

The full treatment only took about about 4 1/2 hours today of actual drip time so we only had about 6 hours total time at MD Anderson today. What that means is that you get there at your appointment time, check in, wait to get called back to an available room, stop at the "vitals" station to get weighed, and have your temperature and blood pressure taken. Then you're brought to your room which is like a small hospital room. It has a bed, a TV, a reclining chair for your guest, and all the usual things you'd see in a hospital room. You get in the bed and then wait for a nurse to come in. Then they insert an IV line which Eric prefers to have in his hand where, he says, he has the best veins. A bunch of bags are hung on the IV pole including the ever- present-whether-you-need-it-or-not sodium chloride. Pre-medications are administered: oral acetaminophen (Tylenol), IV diphenhydramine (Benadryl), and IV Zofran.

Once that's all done, the treatment medicines are begun through the IV. In Eric's case it begins with the Rituximab which is given in gradually increasing doses: 100 ml, then 200 ml, then 300 ml etc. until the full dose is reached. This was a much slower process initially than it is now. It took about 3- 3 1/2 hours today vs 5 1/2 to 6 hours the first time. After that, the Bendamustine begins and that only takes about 1/2 hour or so. Then the sodium chloride is dripped alone and Eric remains under observation for 30 minutes to an hour. The nurse comes in and disconnects all the lines but Eric has her leave the IV in so he can use it again tomorrow and not have to get stuck twice.

Here's a picture I took of the IV pole today with all the drugs on it. I've been through this before with loved ones, as many of us have, but most have not and, I have learned, some are very curious as to how the chemo is given and what the process is. So that's why I'm a bit more detailed today and wanted to take a picture to share for those who may not know.

Every time Eric has had a treatment, his reaction has been different so we never know what to expect. He might be sick today, he might be sick in two days, he might be fine. So, now we wait and see and go back tomorrow morning at 7:30 for the second dose.

Maureen