Chemo #3

Happy Friday all! It has been a busy few days for team OJ! Uncle John flew in Tuesday afternoon just in time to hit some golf balls with Dad! I could get used to him coming every three weeks :)

Wednesday we had an appointment at MD Anderson to get Dad's labs and blood work done bright and early at 8am. At 9am we were able to meet with Dr. K where he just checked on Dad to see how he was tolerating the chemo. He wanted to do an X-ray to see if he was on track with the chemo regimen which we were all secretly excited about since we didn't take one last week at Sievers' office. We had to wait a bit (by bit I mean an hour) for an X-ray technician to come over from Banner Gateway but after that we were in an out! And instead of just making us wait, there was always a nurse coming out to apologize for the wait and to check and see if we needed anything! Just another reason MD Anderson's staff is above the rest!

This is Dr. K checking Dad's lungs...he isn't as scary as he looks here I promise!

You can't really see, but Dad is using Cindy's scarf to keep warm...too funny

Well we all know Dad and Uncle John wouldn't miss a chance to play golf so right after the appointment they headed to out to play. You would think the chemo would hinder Dad's golf game, but he is still shooting in the 70's! 

What a STUD!

Dad and Uncle John grilling the best shishka bobs ever!

Yesterday was chemo #3 and we all trekked back to MD Anderson after devouring Cindy's famous monkey bread (soo good). After we checked in we obviously had to stop at the new puzzle that was out, and Uncle John got his first puzzle piece! Very proud. Dad and I went back first to get his IV's set up where we first met Mary. She took his vitals (weight, blood pressure ect) and Dad and I had a little dance party when his weight was 154...only for the party to be ruined by her telling us he was wearing jeans and a jacket so he wasn't 154. He is maintaining his weight though which is great!

Mary then took us back to our chemo corner where we met Christine, our nurse for the day. Dad and her hit it off from the first second of meeting and we knew it was going to be a great day! Here are a few things we learned that were different from last time:

1. Christine has worked in oncology for 20+ years therefore she knows chemo VERY well. She knows the right way to pair up the drugs to get Dad out of there faster. She also is great at starting the IV's!
2. Avastin (Dad's newest chemo) is on a titration plan. (i got either giddy or nauseous...couldn't tell...thinking back to my chemistry terminology from college) so basically last time it dripped for 90 minutes...60 minutes yesterday...and 30 minutes next time! 
3. We can request nurses that we like (yes we liked Christine THAT much!) but we just cant tell the other nurses, they get jealous ;)

 Dad handled the chemo very well all day. He got a little heart burn after lunch (I have no idea why, he only ate half a roast beef sandwich, a cheeseburger, a cup of fruit, fries, and an onion ring...) but other than that he did great! Our friend Mo stopped by and it was great catching up with her! She brought the most beautiful lilies that we unfortunately had to keep in the waiting room (We didn't forget them on the way out Mo!), thank you again Mo!!!

Oh and remember that X-ray Dad had taken? The NP had come up to talk to us about it that afternoon but we didn't get much from that conversation. She didn't have another X-ray to compare it to but she did say she can still see the tumor and some residual from the pneumonia. However, the residual could actually be scarring and not pneumonia itself. She said the tumor is at least stable if not smaller and they are sending it over to Dr. Siever so he can compare it to his last X-ray.

The TV speakers are on the remote so Dad kindly was holding it for us to hear :)

Dad and Mo!

Dad is doing really well and is starting to brainstorm some great things to do once chemo is over...I'll keep you in suspense for awhile :) Dad and Uncle John are back on the golf course today (I think we might just let them live there) having a blast I am sure! Thank you everyone for your continued support and prayers, they are so appreciated!