My mom received the 2nd dose of the "+3" drug of the treatment, "Daunorubicin." Or as we call it, the "Donna Summer."
Basically chemotherapy is injecting very powerful chemicals into the bloodstream to kill or poison. The nurse came in to give the dose for the day. She has to wear purple gloves (to keep from damaging herself handling the chemicals) and inject it very, very slowly. If it's injected too quickly in could basically burn the surrounding tissue.
What a seemingly contradictory thing chemotherapy is... bringing death to save a life. Hmmmm... sounds familiar...
In addition to the "Donna Summer" drug, she also receives another drug continuously for 7 days. That means my mom is constantly attached to the pole from which the fluids hang.
She's managing well. So far she hasn't really felt anything. They are giving her some meds to help lessen any nausea she might experience. One of those is a steroid that can tend to increase her sugar levels. Since she's diabetic, that's something they are watching closely. With her sugar levels going up she felt a little lightheaded, but overall felt fine today.
She and my dad are trying to walk around the floor throughout the day. It'll be important for her to be moving throughout her stay here. I see patients doing their laps on the floor. Man, some really book it around this place. It's like they're having pole races. Inspiring.
Cindy's in town. It's good having her with us. Tomorrow more family arrives. It's nice that there's flexibility on the floor for visitors. It means a lot to be able to have friends and family around us during this time.
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