Homeward bound......Later Houston.....

We were able to get in early for Sunday’s Neulesta shot! In fact, there was no one else there when we got in. The whole thing went quickly and we were homeward bound within an hour.

Here is the nurse checking out dad’s wrist band – patient name, CHECK.



And now the shot, CHECK.



We are outta here! Our chariot awaits.....

Pump time no more...for now anyway....

Some people have asked about the pump…..when dad is hooked up to the pump (which administers the chemo), he does not need to stay in the hospital (only near it). Mostly dad sits around with the pump waiting for the chemo to finish – it takes 2 days or so...that’s the black fanny pack which contains the pump on that little table to his right.



Inside the pack is the pump and tubing...



And the computerized pump...



And this is the tubing that goes from the pump which connects to my dad’s port….not too big, but provides a steady flow of the chemo...



Fortunately, he is able to get around while wearing the pump (which is the fanny pack). We are even able to go for walks while he is wearing it. He just has to be very careful. Here he is in the elevator on the way out for a walk...



We went to the hospital to get this pump disconnected...there goes mom and dad down the hall at MDAnderson towards the ATC transfusion center where they were going to disconnect it.





Of course, once we got there we had to wait...



Finally we got in and had dad’s vitals checked...



Then back in the room, more waiting...



And the big event – disconnect!



That is it for today and tomorrow the neulesta shot and homeward bound....

Good news.....and chemo pump is connected....

We got not just good news but GREAT news. Hagermeister confirmed with dad (and the family) that the treatments are going as expected. There is no progression of the cancer and the plan is working. We were all relieved.

After the news, it was off to get the chemo pump hooked up. On the way in the shuttle....



Before the pump got hooked up, we went for a swim....Just kidding, this is fish is from the aquarium in the waiting room.....



Bernard the nurse is getting things ready.....



Dad assumes the position....



Hmmmmm, where does the thing go? Oh yeah, right there....



All hooked up....and getting a bit chilly in here. Mom snuggles dad in for the treatment - which takes over 5 hours.....



All this liquid in all these bags need to make it in to dad's port!!!!



Why does it take so long??? Because it has to go through via this little drip, drip, drip.....



Looks like we are in for a long one....notice the cheerio that Nina put on my hat...thanks, but I already ate....

Horrific news.....

An unbelievable tragedy happened in the early hours today. Early this morning, we got news that my uncle Kevin (my dad’s brother) passed away unexpectedly after back surgery. No one knows how it could have happened and everyone is in disbelief that he is gone. Rest in peace uncle Kevin!

Dad had a terrible night recovering from all the tests yesterday. He was up all night in chills and cold sweat. He is very shaken up of the sudden death of his brother. It is not a good day so far and we hope dad starts to at least physically feel better.

Hey mister, how about an MRI? and a dress change? and a....

Dad had tests starting from 8am going until around 11pm. Unbelievably long day and very grueling on dad because he was only able to eat one small meal at lunch time. It was a tough day.

He had his dressing changed....



The last test of the day was his MRI. Here he is after he finished his MRI...take a drink.

Back to Houston - Week 10 (Round 4)

Went home for a quick visit (Sat and Sun) and right back to Houston on Monday for more tests. We are consulting with the Hagermeister on Wed to know the results of all the tests (which begin again tomorrow). After that, he gets hooked back up for more chemo.

Week 9 - Test time! Let's check it out.....

Dad and I made the drive down to Houston. It is mid range in the treatment plan for dad's lymphoma, so the time has come to do a full battery of tests to see how the treatment is going. The first test is an endoscopy. We drove down yesterday and will do the test today - Friday.

We woke up early on Friday and took the shuttle to MDAnderson.



Next, the waiting game. Got to love the lobby at the hospital. Doesn't dad look excited?!



Check in procedure #1...I have a few questions for you, but don't ask me any.



Check in procedure #2...They are multiplying. This time there are two of them (one of which needs some caffiene, but hey she does have a cool lab coat on).



After the check ins, dad went into the hospital room to get ready for his procedure. He has that CVC port in his chest which is where the nurses would/should put in all his medications, so this should have went very smoothly......problem was that this "nurse" couldn't seem to figure out how it worked (and yeah, I put a dunce cap on her). She said there was something wrong with the port! Hmmmmm. Seems odd, considering yesterday's flush was flawless. She called the IV port team to come check it out, but told dad she would have to put an IV in his arm.....maybe she gets paid by the IV holes?



Thankfully, before they took him out the IV team showed up and confirmed there was nothing wrong with the port.....there he goes....



Procedure is over. Here comes dad! He is a little groggy from the sedation.



Everything went well, and after he woke up totally we went back home.