The murphy bed they had was so comfortable - you wouldn't believe it!! I know the nurses came in and out all night long, but they were very far away from where I "was". I noticed the lights go on and off every time but it was just like in a dream, they were all blurry. I was in deep sleep. :)
Adrian ordered breakfast while I got ready to go to my class. I have to attend a class on how to change the cap on the CVC (central line) and how to flush it with heparin when it is not being used.
Since the collection of stem cells is about 15 days away, the CVC will just be there and there is a risk that it will get clogged if not flushed. The cap and dressing has to be changed once a week. Flush is every day.
Basically, it's not anything difficult, you just have to follow some simple steps so that you won't get bacteria or dirt in the CVC. That would be quite dangerous - since it goes through the biggest vein in his body, directly to his heart. If there were germs in there they would go to his heart and you can imagine the rest.
After a video and practise on toy CVC we had to sign a paper and then I could go back to Adrian. Later on a nurse came to give me the 'check'. She would ask me questions and then I would show her how to do it.
Quite funny, half way through she says: "Are you a nurse?" I answered: "Since February, yes" :)
I swear, I could do most stuff the nurses can do there. Maybe I should become a nurse, I would have a head start, that is for sure!
On Monday or Tuesday I have to take a second class and then do the test for that too. It is for dressing change.
What is also new for this time is that I will have to give Adrian the Neupogen shots. In his belly or back of the arm - twice daily. This is the conditioning part of the process. Went down to the pharmacy to pick up prescriptions and all kind of stuff. I walked away with 2 big paper bags full of 'goodies'. The treasure chest is open at MD Anderson's too! You name it - you will get it!
The chemo stopped early this morning and for the rest of the day he has been getting Mesna. It is the stuff that helps protect the bladder, I think. Around 5 pm that one was finished too and we got packed up and moved over to the Rotary House.
Adrian took a shower and ate a little and then hopped in to bed. He seemed a wee bit better after the shower.
Hopefully he will have a great night's sleep tonight. No nurses doing vital signs and blood on him during the night and a bed that is quiet. The hospital beds have that inflation thing in the mattresses. Every time you move, it inflates and rather loud too.
I drove back to Austin after he was all set in Rotary House. Had to go home and get the girls who have been on long sleep overs with dear friends. They all had a ball!!
We are all heading back to Houston tomorrow morning at some point. It will be a nice trip for the girls - planning on taking them to the zoo on Tuesday after Aj's appointment. He will stay and recover and we will be coming and going - checking in and then go explore Houston!!
Fingers crossed, Dr. Alousi will say it is ok for Aj to go home for a few days, Wednesday - Sunday. If not, the girls and I will stay in Houston for the week. The room in Rotary House has a sofa bed in the livingroom where the girls can sleep.
So, this is the 3rd chemo down... only one more to go. I think we will find out tomorrow from Dr. Alousi what it will be. If it is any different than what he just had.
I told Adrian, Christmas will be very special from now on, we will celebrate the birth of Baby Jesus and the re-birth of Adrian James!!! :)
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