Interesting Day
Treatments were scheduled to start an hour later today so we were able to enjoy a longer walk with the boys before the heat set in.
Next is a long story that I will try to keep as short as I can. I was feeling independent today so I wanted to walk to my chemo session on my own and Jon would meet up with me later and walk me back home. Throughout the evening and night before I was experiencing nausea, but didn’t want to take a pill (I won’t make that bad decision again). I did finally take a nausea pill at 5 AM, and it helped a little, but didn’t take all the nausea away. Anyway, because of the nausea I didn’t eat or drink much before I went for my chemo session. So, I arrived for my treatment with some nausea, thinking I would discuss it with the nurse. While in the waiting room (listening to some guy tell the receptionist about his recent surgery) I broke out in a sweat. I asked for a place to lay down so they put me in a wheelchair to take me to the back. I remember getting dizzy and then I passed out. Another code blue (I don’t think I shared the something similar happened a week ago Thursday at first Radiology consultation…but I didn’t actually pass out then). I awoke on a bed with dozens or more people around me. I already had an IV in my arm and they were pumping in fluids. Once they stabilized me I was transported to the hospital emergency room. I spent another hour and one half or so there. I am fine now and was able to get both treatments back on track.
I continue to be amazed at the level of compassion and care exhibited by everyone we encounter at the Mayo Clinic. Later on in the day, people, that I didn’t know were around during my episode, we’re asking me how I was.
After I was released from the emergency room we returned to oncology and they got me right in for my treatment. The nurse spent a lot of time with us trying to understand what happened and what I was experiencing regarding nausea and anxiety. She spoke with the oncologist about my nausea meds and he made some changes. She also took care of getting me rescheduled for my radiation treatment that I had also missed that morning. Her name is “Red” and she is an amazing nurse!
I was rescheduled for radiation at 4:45, but went over an hour+ early immediately after finishing the chemo to see if they could get in earlier. They had me go right back for treatment…no waste. The nurse said they had been watching my progress throughout the day and were expecting to fit me in.
I’m learning more and more that this is not going to be easy! But I will stay strong and positive…it’s what I have to give!
Let’s give this posting a positive ending…Izzy is very comfortable in his new environment!