Infusion.....Treatment 2

This time Hubbs appointment was pretty much uneventful. He arrived at 9:30, was given his pre-hydration of fluid through his port before the *Cisplatin to keep his kidneys working normally and will get the same after the Cisplatin bag is finished. Docetaxel was the next drug that was given and then he was out by 4:00pm.  He slept most of the day and when he wasn't napping he watched a little tv....Such a life, although I'm sure he would rather be somewhere else.  At least they try to make you comfortable while you're there. 

Doctors sent him home with his little fanny pack pump of  *5-Fluorouracil  (flure oh yoor' a sill) that he will wear until Tuesday.  It's a small, portable pump that allows a controlled amount of the drug to be pumped into his bloodstream over a set period of time. The pump is small enough to be carried in a belt or holster.

Not starting out in pain before a chemo treatment is probably the key this time to feeling better for L.  Last time his chest was hurting from the port surgery and his neck was hurting from the tumor.  He's not used to pain medicine and the way they affected him, so he was pretty much was miserable. This time however, he's feeling better but extremely grouchy. 
I did shave his head on Saturday, since the hair was pretty much falling out in patches now.  He looks pretty good with a bald head.  I think it looks better than the hair, one daughter disagrees with me.  lol 

I like it!

Have a great week!

Love to all.........

*Cisplatin and 5FU chemotherapy can reduce the number of white blood cells, which help to fight infection. White blood cells are produced by the bone marrow. If the number of white cells is low you will be more prone to infections. A low white cell count is called neutropenia. This begins 5-7 days after treatment and your resistance to infection is usually at its lowest 7-10 days after chemotherapy. The number of white blood cells will then increase steadily and usually return to normal before your next cycle of chemotherapy is due.

I HAVE to add this bit of info:
Contrary to some belief,
house plants and flowers DO NOT present a problem with the chemo patient.  They don't have to be removed from the house when patient is taking chemo.  Also fresh,  raw vegetables and fruits may be eaten during chemo, they are not a danger to the patient.  Just wash them good! 
Unless the person in question is a transplant patient (bone marrow, heart, liver etc.) and their immune system is extremely deficient, these minor things are not relevant.  This information came from Dr. J.
You still need to keep someone that is sick away from the chemo patient, pretty much all of the time they are being treated.  And definetly wash, wash, wash your hands all of the time and dry them with disposable paper towels.  Don't forget to use anti-bacterial disposable wipes to clean counter tops, toilet seats, toilet handles, door knobs, telephones, remotes, sinks and it's knobs, trash cans.......I could go on, but you get the idea.