Bloated

First of all, no visitors today unless you've heard directly from Becca or me. A full bladder gets her a 10 on the discomfort scale, and it's been that way since Friday at 6 pm. The nurses are doing lasix and Becca has to pee every 15 minutes (OK, she told me not to tell everybody that) but that's what's supposed to do. Last chemo bag will be complete at 4 pm today. Doctor should be in this morning. Not sure when Becca will be outta here, probably tomorrow but possibly Monday.

Off to Livermore for soccer.

Tip Off

Becca's cocktails started around 2:30 Thursday; I was at the Berkwood Hedge wine tasting at 6:30. She seems to be steadily improving: appetite, color and mobility (with IVs in tow) and less pain. Looks like a Sunday release. Apparently the more negative side effects of this chemo don't kick in for a week or so. Meanwhile, Azubuike's Uncle has not appeared. The Golden State Warriors disappoint once again.

Kelenna Azubuike's Plan of Care

The whiteboard across from me in Summit Hawthorne 350 Hospital, Room 2378 reads:

RN: Ernest
May 26, 2010
Wednesday
PLAN OF CARE

1. Pain Control
2. No nausea or vomiting
3. Good nutrition
4. Monitor intake and output
5. Chemo with minimal side effects
6. Kelenna Azubuike?

Read: Cocktail Hour will begin shortly. Bring on the snooze control.

Becca hasn't woken up since I walked in and started typing two feet from her ears.

Musical rooms yesterday got us a nice private room with a view. The painting is even bearable. Probably as good as it gets here at SomePit Hospital,

Re: #6 (fictional). Rumors are flying that one or both of Becca's two Nigerian nurses is the uncle(s) of Kelenna Azubuike. Don't tell me you don't know who Kelenna Azubuike is sports fans! Hint: hapless Bay Area pro basketball team. OK, Becca didn't know either. But trust me, that will be my first question to them.

Speaking of questions: Is there some reason that every doctor, nurse and janitor asks the same 64 questions that they already have the answers to, like "What's your pain level?" or "Do you have any allergies?" But Uchechi, one of the Nigerian nurses, sheepishly asked a new one: "Have you been abused? I have to ask it; it's on the form."
"Can I leave the room now?" I muttered.

You see where I'm going with this, don't you? My first novel based on a mostly true story, or possibly the less ambitious blog "What's up with Steve?"

Ciao for Now

Still Waiting for Cocktail Hour

After an early morning wake-up call, things have settled down. Becca's blood work was good at Alta Bates this morning. The abdominal pain has subsided without medication. She had a hefty bowl of oatmeal this morning and has been sleeping at home for a good 1.5 hours now. We're still waiting for a room assignment at Summit Hospital because they don't want Becca to have to change rooms once she gets there.

In short, we're still looking forward to our respective cocktails.

Cautiously Optimistic

Nice, easy, quiet day so far. Reason for optimism came in report on the tissue sample that was tested: "The results indicate an above-average probability of clinical benefit for treatment on ifosfamide." Ifosfamide would be the "I" in the AIM chemo cocktail (love that word, don't you?) Becca will be getting starting tomorrow. The oncologists take these tissue reports with plenty of salt. Becca took it well. Perked her right up. I even had to mute the "better-mood music" I was piping upstairs to the bedroom.

Blog You Tomorrow, (but probably after cocktail hour)

SC

Today

Keepin' it quiet here. Just Steve and Becca from 11 until 6. No calls. No trespassing. Becca is weak and she has a big week ahead of her. Thanks for your understanding.

Play it By Ear this Weekend

Tough night with pressure on the lower intestine, though no nausea and vomiting like yesterday morning. Breakfast: tea, Milk of Magnesia, steely oatmeal and maybe a Miralax chaser. Intestinal fortitude.

Our Derby neighbor/savior Melissa will be sending out a feeding schedule and minor instrux to some of you local heroes. Don't feel obligated as there are way too many names for twice a week requests. Especially if you live far away. (Hey, I can write in incomplete sentences. I guess that makes me a gifted writer?) We are blessed with best friends as neighbors, as in about 25 feet away. I can't tell you how reassuring that makes me feel right now. We care about our far-away best buddies too, of course. It's just that when you're potentially making emergency decisions in the middle of the night, it's really nice to know that you don't need to drive to, say, Mill Valley (aka CohenVille) to drop Abby off.

So about visiting today or tomorrow. Abby and I will be out and about most of day. Best guess is to play it by ear. If you don't get a response when you knock gently or call the home number loudly, you'll know why. Becca does check her e-mail occasionally too.

Monday morning Becca has a heart check. Tuesday 7:15 it's screen time before heading off to Summit for chemo blasts.

Keep the Faith.

Love,

Steve