Third Chemo Treatment

Greetings Folks,

I am writing this from the 7th-floor lounge at the University of Chicago Hospital. Gigi is receiving her 3rd dose of chemo this week. It was a bit rough last night so I left the room hoping she can catch up on some lost sleep.

The doctors have prescribed four rounds of chemo, each round consisting of two different chemo's to be administered every two weeks. The first chemo is Oxaliplatin and is a two-hour drip administered in the hospital. She is sent home with a second chemo drip 5FU attached to her port, consisting of two 24-hour infusions. Bridget remained home for the first round, and it did not go very well. She felt unrelenting anxiety, involuntary muscle spasms, and when she laid down it was like her heart was beating out of her chest. After no sleep for 36 hours, she made a decision to call an ambulance and was admitted to Central DuPage Hospital. Her blood pressure reading was 180/120, so she was in a bit of trouble. Unfortunately, due to COVID, neither Craig nor Nancy could accompany her to the hospital. Thankfully, the hospital was able to stabilize her, and she was released home after two days. Come to find out, the culprit was the anti-nausea medication. And get this, it only happens in 1 in 10,000 cases.

As to avoid a repeat performance of the first round, a decision was made by Bridget and her doctors that the next round would be administered in the hospital. Two weeks ago, Bridget and I drove down to the University of Chicago Hospital for her 2nd round of chemo. We were informed that she could have one visitor who could also stay overnight. We were happy about this as this treatment’s side effects can be pretty scary. At about 9:00 PM the first night the hospital staff informed us that her PCR COVID test was positive. Subsequently, she had to be moved to a COVID floor and I had to leave. Bridget was heading into a difficult night and now she was on her own. This round the side effects were much less severe, but it's still chemo and no one gets away scot-free. She still had anxiety and nausea, so was administered multiple doses of Ativan. This relieves both the anxiety and nausea we came to find.

So, here she is today receiving the 3rd round of chemo. Bridget and I drove down Tuesday night and chemo was started Wednesday around 11:00 AM and will continue until about 2:00 PM Friday. The doctors are learning what the best-supporting medications are and though she is very tired and has a very limited appetite and nausea, we are not encountering the severity of the first round. Another positive is Bridget’s PCR test came back negative, so I have been able to stay in the room with her. Princess does not much like hospital food, so Dad is on multiple trips to Whole Foods and other locations finding the best things to eat. Not a problem, as my type-A personality looks forward to getting out every once in a while! If today goes well there is a chance she could be released Saturday.

Looking ahead, a little over a week from today she will start her 4th round of chemo. One week after that she will have a CT scan to see if the chemo is doing its job, so prayers and good wishes are much appreciated. We will keep you posted on the results of the CT scan and the next steps that will be taken.

The book sales have been impressive thanks to you all. Stay safe and do well.