Day 3

Changing the Port Bandage

 The first day here at UMC was all about being robed and probed.  They put a port in her chest (underneath the bandage at left).  That allows them to inject meds and draw blood without having to make new holes.  It can stay in for many months.  It's pretty ingenious, and I'm sure the inventor is living on a yacht in the South Pacific collecting royalties. 

Day 2 they started giving her fluids.  First just saline, but eventually 2 units of blood.  She's gotten 6 units total since this began a few weeks ago.  Thank you to all you blood donors out there, especially the O+ ones among you.  I'm O+ too and I donated double reds 2 weeks ago.  D'ya think she could have gotten my blood? 

They also drew 15 vials of blood for HLA typing.  This is the process that will find a stem cell donor.  Those of you who sign up to be a bone marrow donor only have to deal with a cheek swab at first.  If you are selected you have to give a blood sample, and eventually stem cells.  If you're interested, there are donor testimonials on the marrow.org website.

Day 2 was also the start of chemotherapy.  Before chemo they give her anti-nausea drugs and anti-infection drugs and anti-fungus drugs and anti-something (was it anti-disestablishmentarianism drugs?).  Lots of anti.  That cocktail made her really drowsy so she kept knodding off the rest of the day.  As I type, the nurse is preparing another round.  Right now Heidi is bubbly and upbeat as she is babbling on the phone.  In an hour she'll be sitting on the recliner with her head propped up with pillows.  Fortunately the nausea-inducing daunarubicin will be given only one more day.  I remind all the doctors and nurses that they are not allowed to prescribe the best anti-nausea drug here in Arizona. 

Walking the Hall

For now, we wear masks only when the nurses are cleaning or changing her port.  Next week when Heidi becomes nutropenic (look that up in your Funk n' Wagnells) I'll be wearing a mask more often and she'll be wearing it whenever she leaves the room.  We will learn to be germaphobic.  Everyone who enters must use the disinfectant hand cleaner at the door.  Any nurse who touches her always wears gloves.  Heidi and I are no longer allowed to share food or eating utensils.  (Yes, I know what your next question is, and I take the fifth amendment.)  Germaphobes R Us.