Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Insurance Policy Round #1=DONE!!!

Evening VP's...WOW! What a day! Over the last several days our anxiety levels for this upcoming chemo have been building and we haven't been sleeping great at all. We just didn't know how Brenda was going to react with these new drugs. They tell you all the HORRIBLE side effects of the drugs they are using, but we had no idea what might be her reality. Plus there was the SmartPort and how was that going to feel getting accessed...of course we've been on the Internet and learned all the things that can go wrong. BAD DOGS!!!

So at 2:00am we were both wide awake and just ended up talking, laughing, speculating, praying...and finally taking some drugs to get back to sleep!! Those pills have been sleep savers. It probably doesn't help that I also jack myself up on venti iced coffee every day but I so enjoy it...it makes me the ever-ready bunny however! Ha!

OK so we made it to the oncology department "ON TIME" and what happened? You guessed it...they were short one oncology nurse and were over 2 hours late getting Brenda hooked up. EEEEEEKKKK! You'd think we'd be used to the waiting game...well we sort of are, but this was the first day of a new regime and we wanted to get it started and over with and under our belt. I promise, I'm really trying to be a patient person...promise! I didn't say a word, I just stood there in a clear, unobstructed view of the 2 nurses that were working so they couldn't miss me staring at them! Ha! Subtle as a bulldozer, don't you think?!! It worked!!! Can you say "Command Presence." YES! I had my "cop stance" on.

OK...they got Bren hooked up through the port and it was just fine...they drew blood through it and started the drugs...YEA!!! Everything was working thus far. I was so relieved that I walked across the street and...you guessed it...got my Venti Iced Coffee at Starbucks...how convenient that it's right across the street!!! YEA!!! I made it back to the oncology office with a Coke and electrolyte water for Bren as they were doing this "Koolaid" type of infusion with this big syringe...interesting. 2 of the 3 drugs were actually like very short infusions (one was actually a shot in the IV line) and the 3rd drug was hug in a bag and took about an hour to empty. Of all the side effects they said could happen as Bren was getting this stuff...she didn't have any adverse reactions. We understand that some might come on over the next several days, but today there was no upset stomach, no abdominal pain, no joint or muscle pain. We'll just keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best in the upcoming days. SO FAR...SO GOOD! Tomorrow she has to go in for her Neulasta (white blood cell booster) shot.

Now the REALLY, REALLY FANTASTIC news is about the newest PET/CT scan. I'll save you all the medical mumbo-jumbo...the report said that there was "no evidence of disease within the neck or paranasal region." There is also "no intracranial abnormality of tracer activity." So dear VP's...it looks like good old Dr. Gillenwater got all the nasty stuff out of Brenda's neck and now she's going through this chemo as the insurance policy that all the bad cells, if any, will be DESTROYED! Wellness here we come. 2010 is turning out to be a fabulous year...let's all keep this on a roll!

We were beyond thrilled...happy...ecstatic...joyous...you get the picture. I hope you are joining us by jumping up and down and screaming. And what do folks do that have fantastic news about a problem that has been troubling them to their core for almost a year? RIGHT!!! THEY GO SHOPPING!!! Since Brenda was feeling so well after her treatment and we were so very happy about the scan news, and since I've been looking at upgrading my cell phone to a new smart phone...we both went to the Verizon Store and both of us ended up buying the new Motorola DROID smart phones!!! HA! It's just what ya have to do!! Go join us in the excitement and use this excuse to GO SHOPPING TOO!!! HA!

It's really a cool phone...internet...navigation...apps...you know the drill. We would have gotten an iPhone because we are such died in the wool MAC users, but we like the Verizon network better than AT&T.

So there ya have it gang...such fantastic news for January 12th!!! YEA! CELEBRATE!!!!

Now it's time to hit the sack and hopefully get a good nights sleep...we so need it. I have a great story about "COTTON BALLS." But I'll save that for the days to come.

Thanks for all the prayers and good positive energy that came our way today...we could sure feel it.

Sleep soundly...
Dee and Brenda

5 comments:

  1. Oh Sis.....such great news, loved the message you left me on your way home! You both sounded so excited in the car too funny :) good for you, you deserve it!!! One down !!!! You are on the same chemo and neulasta shots that Amy had and she did really well too. Except the neulasta made her sick. She was so young and reproduced her own white blood count pretty fast so they stopped it. But faired really well with the chemo. I shared your good news with the family. We are all happy for you. Glad you got to shop for your new phone. You will love it, it's a lot like mine.

    Love you both and hugging on that great arm of yours, It's a great arm for the both of us oxoxoxoxoxo
    Keep up the good work.
    Rhonda :)

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  2. YEA!!!! One down... just a few more to go!!!
    And we intend to have a good positive event everytime! So happy everything is going better than hoped for and try to just think positive and get more sleep... Lots of Love, Hugs and Kisses to you both...

    Blessings, Cathie

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  3. If anyone could use a 'good news' day it is you two. "Clean PET" scan those words are truly wonderful to my ears so I can only imagine how beautiful the word clean must have sounded.
    I am happy to hear that Brenda has some good news, not followed by a big ole 'but'. That has to wear on you after a while. Good news has an energizing quality that ought to lift her spirits.
    I cannot comment on your Droid purchase because I have become quite the iPhone snob but certainly would like to play with it when next we meet. I understand the AT&T issue around your house so do agree that iPhone was not an option. Apparently in your neighborhood there is no app for AT&T (tee hee - get it).
    Well, I am truly honing my Bejeweled skills. In fact, I might need an intervention as my reading is falling to the wayside while I myopically focus on Work and Bejeweled.
    Listen to Cathie and get some rest. We want you both cured and well rested when life permits you to travel again.
    Love to you both.
    Michele and Karen

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  4. Such great news! I am so happy for both of you and will continue the daily good thoughts and prayers. I do agree with Dee that 2010 is going to be the year of GOOD things happening. Looks like your hair is growing back real well, too. Keeps your head warmer, doesn't it?
    Love from all the Boeckls!

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  5. Hello ladies,
    Just checking in to see how our patient is holding up with the first round of chemo on board. Hope all is well.

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