I’ve been in the hospital a week now. Last night was the last of my six days of chemotherapy infusion. Recall that with “induction chemotherapy” the goal is to give high doses of chemo fast to knock out ones “fast growing cells” as rapidly as possible. I will be staying here for some weeks because this process knocks my immune system and so they keep me here so that they can attack any bacteria or fungal infection quickly. I’ve not had any fever.
Over the weekend I mostly slept. The nurses have me sign my name every day and also do some coordination exercises to test my cognition. So far I’m passing those tests.
The area around my central line is quite red and painful; if that doesn’t improve by tomorrow, they will take out the central line. This means they will be inserting and removing new infusion lines into my hands and arms every four days, and sticking me to take blood once or twice a day, yuch. What I most wanted to have a comfortable stay here was to have a good central line. I’m trying not to be discouraged about the prospect of losing the line.
Daniel comes to the hospital a couple of times a day. We had a “movie night” on Saturday. Yesterday he kept Jackson in the evening and came by afterward to tell me stories of Jackson’s latest achievements. I have some great pictures of Zac catching his first fish of the season.
I enjoy Eucharist often. Mary Wenzle, who visited me often in April, has been in the hospital getting a new knee. She is now in rehab and I hear that she is recovering well. Sue Cronmelin is doing the required hospital chaplaincy training in the northern suburbs of Boston; with travel that is a 12 hour day. Still, Sue comes to see me on weekends. Susan Langle brought Eucharist today. Besides the spiritual uplift, Susan can get me engaged in the events of next week’s Episcopal General Convention. We are hoping for a Convention that focuses on the important peace and justice issues of God’s work and is not too distracted by right wing attempts to make political capital out of the event.
I feel weaker all the time and expect that I will be spending many days asleep in the next couple of weeks. The anti-nausea medicine I’m getting isn’t working as well as before. I hope that this is because the chemo drugs are actually working better this time. This isn’t a cheery post. I’m taking the bad with the good. So far, apart from sleeping and nausea, the good has dominated my time here. I’m grateful not to have sickness distract me from prayer time.
Hi Bonnie,
How are you today? I have been in and out these couple of few weeks. I have been keeping up with your latest news via the various e-mails.
You are very much on our minds and we are inspired and blessed by your courageous witness.
I love looking at the pictures of your family. Thank you for sharing those with us.
Let me know if I can be of help in any way to you or Daniel.
Peace Karen
Posted by: Karen Montagno | June 07, 2006 at 07:03 AM