As March came to an end, we were saying goodbye a lot. It’s that time of year when the snowbirds that volunteer here at Faith begin looking to head back north toward home. But we won’t be among them this year. On the 18th, we began the next phase of our journey with Cathy’s first of 12 chemo treatments which went very well, despite some initial drama.
Starting Chemo
As you may recall, Cathy’s chemo regimen was planned for 12 weekly infusions of a low dose of Taxol and once every 3 weeks of Herceptin. The first treatment went pretty well, but had a few hiccups. The first day’s appointments started at 7:30am with blood taken, followed by an 8:30 meeting with the nurse to answer questions and review the results of the blood work. The 9:30 infusion appointment didn’t start until 10, but was going OK as the port was activated, some anti-nausea medicine, Zyrtec, and Pepcid were administered while the infusions were prepared.
As you may recall, Cathy’s chemo regimen was planned for 12 weekly infusions of a low dose of Taxol and once every 3 weeks of Herceptin. The first treatment went pretty well, but had a few hiccups. The first day’s appointments started at 7:30am with blood taken, followed by an 8:30 meeting with the nurse to answer questions and review the results of the blood work. The 9:30 infusion appointment didn’t start until 10, but was going OK as the port was activated, some anti-nausea medicine, Zyrtec, and Pepcid were administered while the infusions were prepared.
She was scheduled for 2 primary drugs: Herceptin (the targeted therapy for the Her2 protein) for 90 minutes and Taxol (general chemo drug to attack rapidly dividing cells) for 60 minutes. The Herceptin went without incident, and Cathy felt no side effects, even able to eat some lunch toward the end of the drip. The switch to the Taxol required not just hanging a new bag, but also deploying the cold mitts and socks as an aid to prevent neuropathy from developing in her hands and feet (a possible side effect of the Taxol).
Unfortunately, almost immediately after the Taxol started, Cathy’s blood pressure dropped precipitously, making her dizzy and nauseous. She had a new experience: actually seeing stars. The nurse responded quickly, keeping her calm and encouraging deep breaths, stopping the Taxol and leaving a saline drip, then gave Benadryl through the port, which started reversing the effects, making her feel better. After checking with the oncologist, the decision was made to continue with the Taxol, but it would have to be done much slower and then gradually ramped up. That worked, but it made for a LONG day. We left around 4:15.
Unfortunately, almost immediately after the Taxol started, Cathy’s blood pressure dropped precipitously, making her dizzy and nauseous. She had a new experience: actually seeing stars. The nurse responded quickly, keeping her calm and encouraging deep breaths, stopping the Taxol and leaving a saline drip, then gave Benadryl through the port, which started reversing the effects, making her feel better. After checking with the oncologist, the decision was made to continue with the Taxol, but it would have to be done much slower and then gradually ramped up. That worked, but it made for a LONG day. We left around 4:15.
However, the week before the first treatment, we were getting concerned that the chemo might have to be delayed again. The problem that sent us to Urgent Care and then the ER was swelling and pain in Cathy’s right (i.e. non-surgical) arm. After mistakenly thinking it was an allergic reaction to the cold therapy glove, it became obvious that the timing was probably just coincidental. An ultrasound revealed a large clot in her upper arm, but it was not threatening anything in the chest. After taking Eliquis to keep the clot from growing any more, the body began breaking down the clot on its own. And the good news was that after the administration of a steroid on the first day of chemo, the pain has never returned and the swelling is down significantly.
Despite the drama, the overall news is very good. Cathy was able to take the Taxol and has had more treatments without the bad reaction. The infusion is slowed some initially, but not nearly as much as the first time and works its way back up to the desired rate. The care is excellent and the side effects have been amazingly few. We have been able to take long walks most days without any problems. We are grateful for many answered prayers.
Despite the drama, the overall news is very good. Cathy was able to take the Taxol and has had more treatments without the bad reaction. The infusion is slowed some initially, but not nearly as much as the first time and works its way back up to the desired rate. The care is excellent and the side effects have been amazingly few. We have been able to take long walks most days without any problems. We are grateful for many answered prayers.
Working on the Apartment
Although the numbers of Nomads was declining once the formal project ended, we were pleased at the number who stayed on a little longer. The result was some unexpectedly good progress in the apartment. As the dry wall continued to go up, it was mudded, sanded and painted, completing one of the bedrooms and a bathroom, and making progress in another. Also, doors were hung and trimmed.
Although the numbers of Nomads was declining once the formal project ended, we were pleased at the number who stayed on a little longer. The result was some unexpectedly good progress in the apartment. As the dry wall continued to go up, it was mudded, sanded and painted, completing one of the bedrooms and a bathroom, and making progress in another. Also, doors were hung and trimmed.
We also had some problems that were not obvious how to address. The bedroom windows, set in cinder block walls, had big gaps at the bottom that looked bad and were not well sealed. Gary had an idea to create new window sills that would cover the gap and look good. Sure enough, he was able to finish the 3 windows in the one bedroom before it was time for him to leave. As we pondered how we were to get the windows in the other rooms done, Harry arrived as part of a singles RV group staying at Faith and offered his help. He managed to finish all but one of the remaining windows. The bathroom window inside the shower, was set into tile that wasn’t trimmed properly. Jim and Karen managed to install the curved tile trim pieces and cut the wall tiles to make it look finished. God does provide!
Since we seem to always have problems with plumbing, this project was no different. Although the bathroom sink and toilet had been connected and appeared to work well, the first time any significant water ran down, it backed into the basement instead of going down the main drain. It appeared there was a blockage, and the solution appeared to be that we needed to bypass the last of the original cast iron pipe . By poking a hole in the cinder block wall, the new pipe was run outside and connected beyond the problem cast iron. At that point, the water flowed well. Hopefully, the worst of the plumbing problems for the apartment are behind us.
Beyond 90 Open House
Once the formal project ended, the work on the Beyond 90 house didn’t stop, but by the end of the next week, the kitchen cabinets were hung and much of the exterior was painted, finishing the major follow-on projects. On March 31st, Beyond90 held an open house to show off the transformation. Having seen the house before, it was truly amazing. We had a good time celebrating the success with other volunteers who had helped make it happen.
Once the formal project ended, the work on the Beyond 90 house didn’t stop, but by the end of the next week, the kitchen cabinets were hung and much of the exterior was painted, finishing the major follow-on projects. On March 31st, Beyond90 held an open house to show off the transformation. Having seen the house before, it was truly amazing. We had a good time celebrating the success with other volunteers who had helped make it happen.