Chemo - another interesting thing to learn about

Hi All -
Rick is feeling well and continues to be stronger every day. He still marvels at how weak he is, but every single day he is better than the day before (mostly). We took a chemo class on Wednesday and learned that for 48 hours after the infusion of the chemo, his body fluids are toxic and that he is even supposed to wipe off the toilet seat after using it to prevent someone else from absorbing the chemicals!

On Thursday, we went to the Cancer Center - which is a very cheerful place that has been arranged to make the patients as comfortable and supported as possible. Rick was taking a steroid and anti-nausea medication before the chemo was started and would continue those drugs for two more days. The nurse infused the Alimta first, which took about 10 minutes. Then came the cisplatin, which is the drug that has more harsh side effects. It took 2 1/2 hours for the cisplatin to drip into his vein and then we were done.

For the first two days, Rick was "wired" on the steriod. He was out for walks, busily cleaning the kitchen, and hopping into his car to pick up a prescription. He couldn't settle down, so finally I had to order him to lie down for an hour! He rested on the sofa and finally asked, "Can I get up NOW?" Today, Sunday, is the first day he has felt the effects of the chemo. He is very tired and at times he says it feels like there are little things crawling in his hands and feet. (Who knows, maybe there ARE little things crawling in his hands and feet.) He and Conner have still been taking 4-lap walks around the pool every hour or so and thankfully, he is still not nauseous. Other than that, he has rested most of the day.

What is amazing to me is Rick's ability to maintain a positive attitude. He always manages to smile and look on the bright side. So far, the chemo hasn't been as bad as we feared. We'll hope the effects continue to be minor and we'll keep you posted.