Today was a long day that started with us waking up at 5:45 in the morning and racing to the MD Anderson Diagnostic Center to beat the crowds. We were too late, it was already pretty busy. As Jason says “old people get up early”. They had to take 16 large vials of blood. Jason said they actually ran out of blood from the vein at the elbow and had to take more from a vein on the top of his hand. He said he felt pretty dizzy after that and he wasn’t even allowed to eat a cookie or anything because he had to fast for 5 hours before his cardio echo stress test. After the blood draw they took some chest x-rays.
Next, the four of us had to watch a video about the insertion of a Central Venous Catheter. Jason will be getting one inserted under his collar bone on Monday in order to get the Interleukin 2 infusion therapy. Marjorie and I are the lucky ones that get to attend two 90 minute classes on care of the catheter because Jason will have it in during his recovery periods. We will be learning sterile technique for dressing changes, daily catheter flushes with heparin solution, and changing the heparin cap every two weeks. It is very important that the catheter does not get infected because it is inserted into a vein that goes straight to the heart.
Next on the list was a complete pulmonary function test which consisted of breathing into boxes. Jason says he passed with flying colors. There was some time to waste before his cardio testing so Jason and I took a nap in the nap room and Terry and Marjorie worked a puzzle.
Jason says the cardio echo stress test was the worst part of the day. He was in a small room with 5 other people all looking at various monitors. What is pretty funny about the situation is that they actually had him use his iPhone to work out some calculations for them because their calculator was broken. Instead of making him run on a treadmill, they gave him an adrenaline type drug through an IV to make his heart rate go up. He said he felt like his heart was going to explode through his chest. Not a pleasant experience! He finally came out of the room two hours later and was shivering all over. He looked pretty beat. We gave him some pretzels to eat and took him up to the Melanoma Center to await his surgery.
We thought the surgery would be the hardest part of the day for him, but he was literally in and out of there in 30 minutes. He said the surgeon was cracking jokes to put him at ease and it didn’t hurt at all. So now instead of a tumor, he has 10 stitches on his stomach. Now…to get rid of the tumors in the liver and lung!
On the way home, we stopped for a gourmet Texas dinner at Taco Bell and Jason has been resting since. We plan to watch the Olympic Opening Ceremonies tonight on TV.
Again we want to thank everyone who is following the blog and posting encouraging comments. Jason has them sent straight to his iPhone and he enjoys reading them while in the hospital. I’ve had a few requests to put together some ideas for items Jason might enjoy while in the hospital. I will have him compile a wish list this weekend and should have a permanent address for people to mail things to by next Wednesday. We really, really appreciate all of the support from family, friends, and co-workers!
We are very happy that we decided to come to MD Anderson. We understand now why it is rated one of the best cancer centers in the world. Everyone that we have met, both staff and patients, have been extremely kind and encouraging. The hospital has every possible amenity to make patients and family members comfortable. It really is an ideal environment for healing. I cannot say enough good things about the hospital at this point and I am confident that we made the right decision in coming here.
Next, the four of us had to watch a video about the insertion of a Central Venous Catheter. Jason will be getting one inserted under his collar bone on Monday in order to get the Interleukin 2 infusion therapy. Marjorie and I are the lucky ones that get to attend two 90 minute classes on care of the catheter because Jason will have it in during his recovery periods. We will be learning sterile technique for dressing changes, daily catheter flushes with heparin solution, and changing the heparin cap every two weeks. It is very important that the catheter does not get infected because it is inserted into a vein that goes straight to the heart.
Next on the list was a complete pulmonary function test which consisted of breathing into boxes. Jason says he passed with flying colors. There was some time to waste before his cardio testing so Jason and I took a nap in the nap room and Terry and Marjorie worked a puzzle.
Jason says the cardio echo stress test was the worst part of the day. He was in a small room with 5 other people all looking at various monitors. What is pretty funny about the situation is that they actually had him use his iPhone to work out some calculations for them because their calculator was broken. Instead of making him run on a treadmill, they gave him an adrenaline type drug through an IV to make his heart rate go up. He said he felt like his heart was going to explode through his chest. Not a pleasant experience! He finally came out of the room two hours later and was shivering all over. He looked pretty beat. We gave him some pretzels to eat and took him up to the Melanoma Center to await his surgery.
We thought the surgery would be the hardest part of the day for him, but he was literally in and out of there in 30 minutes. He said the surgeon was cracking jokes to put him at ease and it didn’t hurt at all. So now instead of a tumor, he has 10 stitches on his stomach. Now…to get rid of the tumors in the liver and lung!
On the way home, we stopped for a gourmet Texas dinner at Taco Bell and Jason has been resting since. We plan to watch the Olympic Opening Ceremonies tonight on TV.
Again we want to thank everyone who is following the blog and posting encouraging comments. Jason has them sent straight to his iPhone and he enjoys reading them while in the hospital. I’ve had a few requests to put together some ideas for items Jason might enjoy while in the hospital. I will have him compile a wish list this weekend and should have a permanent address for people to mail things to by next Wednesday. We really, really appreciate all of the support from family, friends, and co-workers!
We are very happy that we decided to come to MD Anderson. We understand now why it is rated one of the best cancer centers in the world. Everyone that we have met, both staff and patients, have been extremely kind and encouraging. The hospital has every possible amenity to make patients and family members comfortable. It really is an ideal environment for healing. I cannot say enough good things about the hospital at this point and I am confident that we made the right decision in coming here.
4 comments:
Jason, I'm sorry that you had to go through all that today, but it sounds so encouraging! Hang in there stitchy mcgee. Deb thanks for keeping us updated on everything, it's been great keeping a beat on things. Did you guys get the package yet I sent to the Holly Inn? Hopefully it'll brighten everyone's day :) Get some rest, and enjoy the communist...I mean olympic games!
haha, I snuck a phone call in.
good to hear the voice :)
I need to get a new iPhone now, I heard they really come in handy, haha !
Anyways, Andrea are trying to organize a visit, so gotta figure out a convenient time for all parties involved, can't wait :D
All of this sounds like a House episode, so between House and what I've learned from my Mom who is an RN, I actually understand all of this stuff.,, which brings me to one major question:
Do they still have the Chilito at Taco Bell in Texas ?
Glad everything is going good. Hope to see you guys soon !!!!
It sounds like they really know how to pack a lot into one day at Anderson's! I'm glad things are moving so rapidly. Debby and Marjorie should be able to qualify for an RN position after all the training they will be getting.
Jason, I hope you have a relaxing weekend and good luck with your treatment next week.
Love to all from Kathy and Joe
Nice to hear that the surgery was quick and relatively painless!
Nate, Chilitos = Highschool. Quit living in the past sucka.
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