Home Sweet Tome

Becca returned home this afternoon in way better shape than when she left six days ago. She's happy to be here! The view is even better than it is in room 2378, plus you can open the windows here. She's doing a hydration bag at night and that's it for now. The only blip is that she was sick to her stomach a couple of times this afternoon, but that may be that she just moved around more than usual. You don't have to climb stairs when you take a spin around the hospital hallway.

It's three weeks until she has to go back for chemo! And even though I'm starting to get really cozy with Becca's blog (21 posts in 17 days) — even fantasizing that this could be my big break, like a "Daily Steve" kind of deal (get it? "Daily Beast," "Daily Kos", and sorry that I had to explain that) — I'm thinking we go more with the ebb and flow and less with the blow by blow; transition it back to Becca; maybe drop in with the occasional op-ed, such as "64 Questions to Avoid Asking Your Patient... Again", "Brighten Up Your Cocktail Hour" or "Why the Warriors Never Answer the Call".

Trust me, you'll hear from me if there are special circumstances or needs. And let's hope there aren't! Meanwhile, visiting hours are now open. Keep those cards and letters coming. Come on down if you're healthy. It will bring a smile to Becca.

Love,

Steve

The Graduates

Izzy from Scripps College; Abby from Berkwood Hedge (elementary)
at Lisa and Wayne's graduation party for Ms. Is yesterday

Up, Up and a Weigh

Abby and I visited this morning. Becca's feeling mo beta in every department. The before-and-after hospital needle is moving significantly toward the plus side. The Lasix is working and she's down to her last drip: a hydrating bag. Becca's going to be released either today or tomorrow, depending how much she weighs. If she's 10 or fewer pounds more than her hospital weigh-in, she's out today; more than 10 and she stays. I am forbidden from giving the actual numbers. So barring setbacks, she's home for the Memorial Holidaze. Visitors welcome.

Steve

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.