WOW! Another Long Day Bites the Dust!

ZZZZZZZZZZZ...OH! Hi VP's...sorry just dozed off a bit...thank heavens Chemo-sabe is fast, fast asleep. We got there at 7:00 am and didn't get out of there until after 6:00 pm. We've had longer days, but the radiation and the recent placement of the feeding tube has really exhausted our gal. The transition to the tube feeding is not going as smoothly as we'd hoped. You're right Toni...that gas and bloated feeling are making poor Chemo-sabe miserable...and on top of chemo and the ongoing and worsening side effects of radiation...this isn't good. I went up and talked to the dietician about the problems we're having getting poor Chemo-sabe's wacked out system going and we're going to try Part 1 of a new strategy to see if we can make her more comfortable. We found out that some of the meds she started using can cause this feeling and we might have to switch the canned food to see if she can tolerate another one without soy. First we have to get a stubborn system moving. Let me NOT be more graphic on this one!! Lord! There is NO dignity in cancer treatments.

Michele...I DID ask if the chemo nurses would do Brenda's feeding and the answer...although very polite...was a big fat...NO!!! I was thinking that would probably be the answer so I brought the cooler with the supplies. I had to keep the bag and stuff cold so the nasty germs won't grow so I really did look I was going on a camping trip when we walked into MD Anderson this morning. I did get some stares...I don't blame them at all.

Don't expect a blow by blow on tonights activities...it won't be pretty...just let your minds wander. Tomorrow is another early day...we have to be there at 7:15 am. The chemo infusion should be about 5 or 6 hours. We get to go back to the apartment so Bren can take a nap and then we go back at 5:30 PM for radiation. Wednesday will be a long one. Your positive energy is helping...please keep it coming. Wednesday marks the half-way point in her radiation treatments. There really is a dim light at the end of this tunnel!!!

More tomorrow...sleep tight.

Nurse Dee and a very pooped (OOPS! No pun intended!!! Ha!)

A Word From LPN Toni

Mornin VP's...Nurse Dee here...well it's Monday the 13th and our Chemp-sabe and I are back here at MD Anderson bright and early, for that LONG first day of chemo treatment #13!!! She's all hook-up and the infusion has started. I've wandered down to the Starbucks counter and have gotten my morning "fix" so the CURE is on schedule. Our nurse this morning took a look at all our gear and asked if we were going camping!!! Not only do we each have our backpack and briefcase, but now we have another backpack full of Brenda's supplies AND a cooler with the feeding supplies. The tubing and bag have to be kept cold to keep the nasty germs from getting to them. I'll roll the grill in with us tomorrow and make some "Some-Mores" for all the nurses and patients!!! Ha!

I got a note from Toni this morning who asked that I post a message from her to the blog. She was an absolutely fabulous LPN and is such a dear friend to both of us...Thank you from the bottom of our hearts Tonya Jill...kisses all over your face. Here's what our favorite LPN had to say:

Thanks for all the kind words from everyone for my nursing duties. I was (and am) more than happy to help them both, anytime they need it. That's what friendship is all about.

Brenda's schedule normally has you jumping through hoops, but adding that feeding by tube into the equation between the time it takes to use the equipment and then clean it is going to be a real challenge to Dee coupled with being at chemo for the day. I have no doubt though that she will figure it out. After all, she is head nurse. It also helps to be a tad anal. Doctor Vic and I had a good chuckle at the check lists Dee made to ensure Brenda didn't miss anything. (If the true be known, it was a good thing in the beginning so we didn't forget to do something, but don't tell Dee that.)

Brenda is amazing, to say the least, and tough as nails dealing with all of this. The only time I truly saw her down was the night after the feeding tube was put in. They didn't get all of the gas out of her stomach when they pumped it full for the tube insertion, and the left over gas was VERY painful. I tried burping her like a baby, had her try Lynn's remedy of rocking on the toilet, but nothing was working. Now I know those of you who know Brenda well are totally surprised that she would have any problems with gas INSIDE of her. Unfortunately I'm sure the experience reaffirmed her belief that holding it in, no matter where you are, makes you miserable, so better out than in.

I have to say I have a new appreciation for Nurse Rachet's duties. She is in for more than 1 challenge though now that she is back. Chemo-sabe has developed a serious snoring issue of late that causes the walls of the condo to bow in and out all night. Then out of the clear blue, and in no steady rhythm I might add, she sucks in the neighboring condos in addition to her own. And she thinks the fiber in her new diet is causing all the gas!! I personally think it's all the air she sucks in during the night. I told Nurse Rachet she better bring some ear plugs back with her if she wants any sleep. Yes PK, you have competition now!

Birthday girl, the birthday cake is the one and only time I am glad your taste buds are screwed up. It's the first one I have made in probably 30 years, and no I am not kidding. I hate to cook let alone bake. I know Nurse Rachet will like it, because anything sweet tastes good to her. :-)

You are in my thoughts and prayers daily ladies. Thanks for letting me help you both. I wouldn't trade my LPN duties for anything!

Great blog post Toni. I'm up for the challenge. I certainly have the easiest job in the CURE process...and being OCD has it's benefits!!! Ha! So VP's here we sit...or sleep...or whatever. It'll be a really long day not only because it's day one of chemo but because we also have to get to Chemo's radiation treatment. Hopefully they'll be on time because waiting for a long period ain;t going to be pretty. I'll see if I can grease the skids someway...maybe they'll work a little faster if I brought them donuts!!! It's a cop strategy, you know!! Ha!

Toni is right about Brenda's snoring...it was more than once that I saw the walls move in and out timed with the freight train noises that were coming from my gal!!! LORDY!! I have come back to Houston armed with all sort of sleep aides...Julie's noise canceling headphones, foam earplugs and AMBIEN!!! I ended up on the couch the first day I was back but last night I put the foam earplugs in and actually lasted all night. I pulled the plugs out sometime during the night but I made it through the night none the worse for wear. YES!!! I did that a long acting Ambien!!! A nurse has to do what a nurse has to do to keep her energy up!!

We hope all is well in your world...let us know what you're up to. Toodles from Camp MD Anderson...

Nurse Dee

Happy Birthday to Chemo-Sabe

Hi Everyone...well we had shift change yesterday and LPN Toni went back to HOT Mesa (113 they say today...) and I returned to HOT & HUMID Houston and my nursing duties for my favorite chemo-sabe. Our many, many thanks to our favorite LPN Toni for her great care, ingenuity, good humor and fantastic care this past week. You did an absolutely fantastic job Toni. It was great seeing you yesterday. Glad you made it back safe and sound and that your girls (2 darling Miniature Schnauzers) greeting you with tons of squeals of excitement.

Thanks to all the VP's that sent all those wonderful cards and goodies to Chemo-sabe this past week. While she was napping this morning I got all of them out, along with the cake that Toni made, and the prizes I brought from home and along with Mr. Bojangles (the huge clown balloon that Wendy and Kim sent) we had a birthday celebration...she loved everything and had so much fun opening the goodies. Check the pictures out. What do ya think? We're invisioning a much different kind of birthday next year. We're thinking that a cozy cabin up in Telluride, Colorado coupled with a yummy BBQ dinner on a warm summer afternoon after we've hiked up in the surrounding mountains just might do the trick. Dr. Hong and Dr. Swartz are working on Brneda's birthday present and I'm sure they'll deliver the CURE!! Things are going well so far although the radiation effects are sure beginning to become more troublesome. This will be a really difficult phase of the CURE so please keep those prayers and cards coming...they sure help bring a smile to both our faces.

Chemo-sabe has been eating very well...pizza, french fries, salad, steak, my grandmothers biscuits, grilled cheese sandwiches, Nando's mexican food...we just get the magic marker out and write what the desired meal is on the can and pour it into the feeding tube bag for the big drip to tummy-land. Whatever it takes to make this work!!! Toni...that was a great idea! The feeding tube actually works really well, but it also creates a lot of painful bloating and air in her stomach so we're working on trying to make this more comfortable for her to use.

Tomorrow we start another chemo round so it's going to a long and exhausting day for our gal. We did get over to the clinic today to get the blood work done and that was an absolute snap. Not only do we have a 10 to 11 hour chemo session tomorrow, but then she has to go to radiation and then up early for the second chemo on this cycle. Couple that with being in the hospital and trying to get this tube feeding in will be interesting...we're already working out the logistics and I think I'll have to hire a small team of movers to get all her supplies into the treatment room. She'll be soooooo glad when things are back to normal. That is such a gross understatement.

So VP's...there you have it. Brenda sends her love for all your thoughtfulness on her special day. Happy Birthday to her!!! Check out the pics. Thanks to you all...

Nurse Dee...back on duty

LPN Toni - On Duty in Houston

VP's...Michele has been wanting a picture of our LPN Toni who is currently on duty in Houston. Well I looked through my pictures and I happened upon one that I thought would fit the bill perfectly. I snuck a quick picture of Toni when she came over to our house in Mesa to show me her uniform. She wanted to make sure that Brenda felt she was in good hands while I was gone and so Toni thought that looking the part was VERY important. Can you say OCD? She even had an "Official" decal put on her car so no one would confuse her for some BHV Brenda's Healing Village) impostor...God forbid! Only the best for our Chemo-sabe. I think she looks a bit "dated" but good uniforms are hard to find in this economy. Toni this just screams professionalism. I definitely know my gal's in very competent hands.

Love to you for helping with this important task. But I must confess that I'll have to talk to your boss and see if they can afford different headwear.

You need a raise!

Nurse Dee

More News From the Front Lines

LORD!!! What a day our poor Chemo-sabe had. I just got off the phone with her and it was after 5:30 PM in Houston and Bren and Toni where JUST GETTING BACK TO THE APARTMENT!!! That is such a long day for her. I can't even imagine if we would have done the feeding tube placement next week when she's getting chemo on top of all this. She is just such an amazingly strong woman! I promise that I will try and never complain that I don't feel well when I just have a head cold!! Can you guys relate? This puts things into such clear perspective!

The kicker to todays activities was that radiation was so backed-up. When that happens, and you have so many other things going on it, just messes up everything. Wednesdays are the days she sees Dr. Swartz (Radiation Oncologist.) They were so far behind that she has to see him tomorrow because the rest of his staff went home. What's up with that...the patient is backed up so everyone goes home? How many times have we, as patients, waited for the doctor. OK...I can just hear you docs out there getting on my case! Ha! I'm just watching out for my girl!!! Admit it...you'd feel the same way about your partner...especially when there are NO RECLINERS to lay back and snooze a little.

She said the first part of the tube placement was absolutely horrible...imagine a wire being snaked down your throat...a throat that's really dry and sore and you start gagging and coughing as this guy is trying to get this thing down your throat without hardly any pre-meds to help ease the anxiety of it all. The word TORTURE comes to mind.

LPN Toni...you did such a great job today. You really got a glimpse of what life has been like for Bren over these past several months. Thanks for being such a calming presence and helping her get through all this. I sure need a briefing on all the tube feeding particulars. I understand that the 18 wheeler will be delivering Bren's supplies to the apartment. Maybe I'll have to visit the office and see if they have a bigger apartment. We literally have one corner of the place for Brenda's medical supplies already. Bring 'em in...it's all part of the CURE!! I wonder if they have chocolate cake feeding juice for her birthday?

So I think that covers todays trauma. Get some good sleep Bren. You deserve a good restful snooze. Hopefully you'll feel a little better tomorrow...it won't be as long a day that's for sure. I love you...xoxo

Nurse Dee

News From the Front Lines

Hi VP's...Nurse Dee here in Mesa, AZ checking in with an update from LPN Toni who is doing a fantastic job helping our favorite Chemo-sabe in Houston. I just got off the phone with both of them...all is well. Brenda just had the feeding tube put in and was in recovery to report that it wasn't a fun time snaking this wire down her throat, but when they gave her more sleep juice...she didn't remember anything after that. THANK HEAVEN THIS PART IS DONE!!! Yikes...the stuff this poor soul has put up with!

I just got another update from LPN Toni and they were just waiting about another half hour for Bren to be released. She's doing just fine. Toni is going to take her back to the apartment (thanks heaven we found one so close to the clinic) for some couch time until they have to come back for a recheck and 1st feeding in the new tube. The she has to get to radiation...and yes! they're backed up AGAIN!!! Then an appointment with Dr Swartz...we'll just see how all this goes. That's a lot to handle in one day for a hero that's already been surgerized and is damn TIRED! Where are the reclining chairs when you need them??? All you in hospital care...please take note...RECLINERS!!!!

I've got an appointment right now, so I'll forward more info tonight when I hear how the rest of the day played out. Please send some of your energy Bren's way. She is such a trooper. Thanks Tonya Jill for being another one of our guardian angles. You're due for a promotion!

Nurse (on my last break) Dee

Happy July 4th

Yep VP's, I'm on my last "Nurses Union Break." My boss said that I couldn't take any more breaks without her. She wants to go home!! That's absolutely A-OK with me. I soooo visualize us driving home or me being able to put her on a plane to get her home quickly so she can start the final healing process and enjoy the CURE from home turf.

I just wanted to make a quick post before I head up to Strawberry, AZ to check on our cabin and ensure it's still standing and get the grass...well actually weeds...mowed. They've had rain up there so I know it'll need it. I'm waiting for my Mom to show up...we're going up together and we're going to try and find Cathie's sister in Payson and join their big BBQ. I actually feel like a little lost soul that goes from place to place to get some food! Ha! I had dinner with Becky last night and she said she and Julie would feed me while I was home...Ha! I just had to laugh. Do you have a visual?? There is absolutely NOTHING in the house to eat and I haven't had time to get anything! Ha! If you can't tell... Brenda is truly the cook in the family. I can make one mean bowl of cereal however...OH! And I can scramble eggs. Maybe that's why Bren wants to get that feeding tube in sooner rather than later...HUMMMMMMMM! I'm wondering if that's a sign that I should take a few cooking classes....Bren are you sending me a message?? I called her this morning and she's still raving about Vic's bread pudding...I am hopelessly challenged when it comes to cooking...I admit it!

Bren and Vic are going over to the Apple Store at the Galleria today so Vic can look at the new iPhone. It's a great outing for them and it'll give our gal a little exercise. Enjoy the day sweetie...I'll call you both tonight.

To all the other VP's...have a wonderful 4th of July...give thanks for the blessings you have and enjoy the people around you. Eat hearty...it's the American way! More when I get back from the north country.

"On Break" Nurse Dee

PS: Thanks Doc Rachet for taking such good care of my gal.