Wednesday Update

Monday evening and Tuesday went pretty well after the first chemo. Dean said he didn't feel any differently. His voice has been stronger. He hasn't been short of breath. Then today his energy followed the stock market. He napped before going for radiation. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow is a 'field reduction' centering just on the left tumor. He still insisted that we park in the garage and walk. He was much slower, weaker. By the time we got to the COM building, he was dragging his feet. I told him I would pick him up under the building. He said he could walk back, but would take the elevator instead of the stairs. But, after his treatment, the nurse called me in. He had difficulty just getting his shirt off and getting on the table. BP was 113/70. Temp was normal. His ankles were a little swollen. The doctor on call came in to looked him over and felt it was just the effects of the first chemo kicking in. Fatigue is the number one side effect. He was annoyed that he couldn't get out and feed the birds today. I kept assuring him the fatigue was temporary, that his body is under attack. I reminded him how weak I was last summer after my battle with viral meningitis. We will work through this. With reluctance, he finally relented and agreed to let a nurse take him in a wheelchair back to the car. One more day this week, then we rest till Monday. After chemo #2, we have 2 weeks off. Perhaps we will have some warm, sunny weather. A nice afternoon at the coast would do us both good.