December Has Better Doctors

In the middle of the night, in a hopsital bed at USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dalton and the chemotherapy agent 5-FU (Flourouracil) began a rocky six-week relationship. Marked by faitigue, nausea, and yes, healing, it appears that this relationship will end in the same way it began - in the middle of the night, in a hopital bed at USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.

This is my not so eloquent way of saying that Dalton is back in the hospital for "at least 3 more days". And when he comes home, he will probably do so minus one chemo fanny pack. This morning's fever and chills are indicative of a blood borne bacterial infection that the docs don't take lightly. So, D is getting two different IV antibiotics while we wait to see what the actual bacteria is that is floating around.

Today's experience was radically different than the first one. Today people were competent. In fact, at one point after he had been admitted and we were up in the room on the third floor, Dalton and I looked at each other and asked, "Are we in the same hospital that we were in six weeks ago?" Every resident, fellow, and attending doctor that came into D's room introduced themselves, explained what they did and who they worked with...they even apologized for having to ask the same questions their colleagues had already asked!

Dalton will be getting radiation while he is there, and his last treatment is scheduled for Thursday. Since that also signals the end of the other treatments, Dalton will probably be chemo/rad free for the holidays. From 12/16 until the first week of January, he will be in recovery mode. Then, he will have the scans that predict the future and hopefully prepare for surgery in the middle of the month. That is the ideal, and that is what we are looking forward to. It's odd to pray for such a gut-wrenching thing (funny, eh) as this surgery, but the word "cure" only comes via two routes - miracles and surgery. We'll take either one.

I have painted three walls tonight and am going to try my hand at some sleep. Cheers to all.