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| Chemotherapy has begun. |
Saturday Feb 8 at 6:00 PM everything is ready to go. The dark amber
colored bags are shade screens for the chemo meds because this
chemotherapy concoction is light-sensitive. VDT-Pace stands for the following six chemotherapy agents and the steroid (the dex)
Velcade, Dexamethasone, Thalidomide, cisPlatin, Adriamycin, Cyclophosphamide and Etoposide. It runs 24 hours non-stop for 4 straight days, all but the Thalidomide, that is, which is in pill form so it is taken orally. Scott feels well other than the pain he is in, but even with only three days of radiation the pain is already little better. But he's still standing as much as possible until he has to be in bed laying on his back.
Day 1 - Saturday evening - Sunday evening. He does very well, eats well, all
his vitals are good and laying in bed isn't too painful. We go for "walks" up and down the hospital hallway. Sunday evening President Wells and Brother Overbay in our ward drive all the way from Lincoln just to bring us the sacrament. This seems like such a simple thing. But for Scott who hasn't been able to be at church for months now, having the sacrament brought to him is so special. But this time, it wasn't just driving down the street. This was driving down to Sacramento just to bring the bread and water. But what significance and meaning that bread and that water, when blessed by righteous priesthood holders, has to us who understand what those emblems represent. The body and blood of our Savior Jesus Christ that was given freely for us. To help us remember him throughout the coming week and to strive to keep his commandments. It was a holy place for that moment in room 2347 and it felt like the Sabbath Day after President Wells and Brother Overbay left.
Day 2 - More of the same. A little more sleeping, more standing when he can. A member of our stake presidency comes by to visit. We love him, we love our stake Presidency. They are our friends. We feel such love for them and from them. They are so approachable and down to earth. Chad and Kelsey come by, and we Skype with Evan, Kasey and Boston. It is so reassuring to have my family there with me. My friends come see me to keep me company at night, or they are helping me at home while I'm at the hospital. Always, I have so much support.
Day 3 - Nausea meds are given round-the-clock as a preventive measure instead of waiting til there's a problem.
Day 4 - at 6:00 PM we are DONE. A few more medical pokes, prods and checks and by 10:00 pm we are on the road - Home. There's no place like home.
