Friday - November 9th

It's about 11:00 A.M. now. Jan had a good nights rest, considering they wake you up at 3:30 A.M. to weigh you, change I.V. meds, draw blood, and take vitals. She completed her third chemo treatment last night. Three down, two to go. Then wait a week and perform another bone marrow biopsy (number 4 if you're counting). Her days have been good, but her evenings have been rough. Since being on this second round of chemo, each evening around 8:00 P.M. her demeanor changes. Her anxiety level kicks in to high gear, with overwhelming feelings of apprehension and agitation. Overall, just a feeling that things aren't right. The doctors claim this is a normal reaction, commonly attributed to the steroids that are given just prior to administration of the chemo. Fortunately those feelings subside after three or four hours, but those hours have been, by far, the roughest part of round two. This morning she had a cup of hot chocolate and a piece of cinnamon toast. We're still very thankful for this facility, the doctors, nurses, and level of care that Jan is receiving. As we walk the halls we have met several patients and/or their spouses. All of them have stories just like ours. I've driven by this hospital many times in the past and never given a second thought to what goes on in here. I'll be much more mindful in the future.