Last Monday, November 30th, Bridget went in for her 3rd of 4 PRRT treatments( Intravenous Radiation). It was a tough week for our beautiful Gigi. Nancy is normally caring for Bridget and these hospital visits and stays are usually our time together. As you can imagine, there is always a bit of apprehension and anxiety upon entering the hospital, but that was compounded this go around as I was stopped at the door and could go no further due to COVID-19, there was nothing I could due other than to wait for transport to come and take her away. But Bridget is faithful, strong and stoic and worked to make me feel comfortable that she would be fine!
THE NICE ROOM WITH THE WINDOW, SEE PLASTIC ON COUCH AND CHAIR?
You get the treatment in 2 different rooms, one for the treatment and another for the recovery and observation. Since this is radiation, both rooms have to be fully wrapped in plastic, its not like a room on Sanibel all thought at the cost you think it would be :-), its actually pretty stark, as the treatment room has no windows. And to add to the fun, the process got delayed for a few hours because they forgot to take a pregnancy test, for the second time, Ugh! Then its about 4 hours filling you up with stuff and the actual PRRT is about 45 minutes. Then to a wrapped room with windows!
In some instances, the PRRT is a same day home deal. Since Bridget's tumors excrete ACTH which triggers the Cortisol, the tumors go absolutely ape shit when attached and excrete even greater amounts of Cortisol that plays havoc with blood pressure and potassium. The tumors where extra angry this go around, so what we hoped would be a release on Wednesday, turned out to Friday at 6:00PM. The doctors wanted a high potassium number since she would not be check until Tuesday, so they decided she needed 3 more bags of the stuff before the release. In addition, she got her monthly Lanreotide shot and was "tapped" for the abdomen build up of fluid from the Ascites.
So as Bridget puts it, she busted out on Friday ( Brings a tear to my eye when she talks like a greaser chick from Bellwood!) and came to stay with Nancy and I. This is because she cannot be near the kids for at least a week after the treatment. Mom had tacos going, Christmas decorations up, not one but two fireplaces going and we got into binging on " The Spanish Queen" We settled into a quiet weekend of cooking, catching up, crying and more Queen. It was wonderful to have our baby girl home to pamper, and she is pretty good at accepting pampering. Nancy and Bridget left for home on Monday evening, now we wait!
Please accept our grateful thanks for all the emails to Bridget during her extended stay, they were much appreciated. Now, get out of your comfort zone and do the second registration for comments, let our girl know your out there thinking of her! And if you want notification of updates don't forget to do the main page registration.
Till next time, stay safe, mask up and Happy Holiday's!
Love and Peace Ron
PS: That Little Guy without the Mask is our Trumper!
Hi GiGi,
I don't know if you remember us but Kris and I are old friends of your parents. Well I'm old Kris not as much. I just wanted to tell you how happy we were to hear that your done with this latest round and home with family. It was also good you got to spend some time at your folks. I could tell your dad could use some hugs. Hopefully your home or will be soon with your family for the holidays. I had a couple of bouts with cancer myself but they truly were walks in the park compared to what you've been through. I could never say I understand or feel what you're feeling. Only…