Day: August 3, 2016

Just a quickie this morning:  In about an hour, Greg and I will leave for the surgery center, where I will have my port-a-cath surgery.  I was supposed to have it before my first chemo treatment, but because I was fighting my root canal infection, Dr. Curcio opted to wait a month.  For those of you who enjoy watching “House” and learning medical procedures, this is what a Port-a-cath is:

It is an IV (intravenous) catheter that is placed under the skin in a patient who requires frequent administration of chemotherapy, blood transfusions, antibiotics, intravenous feeding, or blood draws. It is a central IV line, meaning that the catheter is threaded into one of the large central veins in the chest, which empties into the heart. The vein which is used most often is the right internal jugular vein. This vein is preferred because it is very close to the skin and easy to find with ultrasound. It runs straight down to the heart and has the lowest risk for problems during placement of the catheter, and subsequent use by oncology nurses.

Tomorrow will be Chemo treatment #2.  This treatment, and all future ones, will only be 1 day, unlike last time that was 2 days.

My prayers?

• That the chemo will destroy the cancer and leave the rest of my body in good health and
• The side effects, if any, will be diminished this time,
• That we will better anticipate them and proactively treat them,
• That the days that I am “down” will be short-lived, and
• That my family feels the Lord’s presence and faithfulness through it all, and
• That I would glorify God by handling this with strength and dignity, and
• That we are always mindful of praising God, trusting Him and giving him our praise.

That’s it for now!  Time to get ready to go to the hospital!

I love you all, and am so thankful for you!!

PS.  My few hairs are still with me, but will probably shave my head later today.

Catching y’all up…the port-a-cath surgery and recovery took about 2 hours and went off without a hitch.  When one of the nurses tried to start my IV, the vein she accessed wouldn’t cooperate and she quickly took the needle out so the vein wouldn’t “blow.”  This was proof positive that the Port is a good idea, because otherwise, my veins would potentially collapse with the chemo and blood draws over the next few months. No bueno. 

The nursing staff and doctors were so kind, efficient and took great care of me.  I was so fond of them, I invited them all over for a barbecue!  Yes, I was still a bit woozy from the anesthesia, but even still, they were just so darn nice! (BTW, several years ago when I had a colonoscopy, I invited that hospital staff over for a BBQ then too! Hmm. I’m seeing a pattern here!?!)

After I went home, I felt a bit sore, but not too bad.  I had a nice nap and when I woke up, wonderful Marcia arrived, with a darling new hat I had my eye on!  We decided that today would be the day for the shaving…my head was itchy, felt sore and it felt like it was time.  Also, there’s a lot to be said for checking things off my list.  Another milestone on my journey to healing!

So, we went out back, enjoyed the afternoon breeze, turned on some Chris Tomlin, and she lovingly, gently, cut and shaved my head.  They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so I’ll show you instead of tell you how it went, and how I am doing…

Looked pathetic. It was time to GO!!

My new hat! Thank you Marcia ❤

Tomorrow is chemo and I am optimistic and ready!