1 cycle Down

[ShawnsWife]

Hello y'all.Â*Â* I just feel the need to talk in a group whwre others understand what is going on.Â* Just want to get off of my chest how things are going.Â* Shawn has finished cycle 1 and we are waiting to be called back for the start of cycle 2.Â* Another long week.Â* I'd say he didn't have it as bad as a lot of people I've read about but I'd also say it wasn't easy.Â*

He dreads the chemo room.Â* The smell of it gets to him.Â* I dread seeing him with what look like dark eyes.Â* Last round, he kept what he said felt like a pit in his stomach and belched non-stop.Â* He didn't vomit any until day before second week bleo round.Â* After that bleo though he had some really good days.Â* The next bleo day he got pretty down for a good day or so and has felt much better since.Â* And here we are.Â* To start it all over.

But I look at it like we're almost done.Â* And I look at how blessed we are that there is this cure.Â* For many, many others aren't near as forturnate.

He did start losing his hair quite a bit last Sunday so he shaved.Â* He keeps a buzzed head so that isn't so bad but he's had a beard and mustache for a long time and I now find myself with what feels like a new boyfriend I'm cheating on him with.Â* lol. We've been together since he waa 15 so I've seen the baby face but it's been so long.Â* Wish I felt as young as he looks.

We do have a kink with this week.Â* I wonder if anyone else has encountered this.Â* Apparently holidays don't stop for cancer.Â* Chemo is closed the 4th.Â* They are trying to get us in on Saturday but that means admitting into hospital.Â* I also know we can't miss a day.Â* I'm already nervous about skipping Wednesday.

I'd say all in all it hasn't been as bad as it could have been.Â* But it also hasn't been easy peasy.

I just pretend to be brave even when I'm not...and I just keep swimming.

[melanie]

I know exactly what you mean about pretending to be brave when you're not. Its all you can do really. Just take it one day at a time. Everyday is closer to the end.

[eodtech2001]

I hated the whole chemo floor at Mayo clinic. Yes the smell and the feeling on your skin when you leave is just yuck. I would go home and spend the rest of the sun light hours in the pool just to get that smell and feeling off my skin.
I do recall when i was going thru 3xBEP July 4th was start of the week so they actually shifted mine by a day.
For what it is worth if they have to admit him for chemo for treatment on Saturday nothing says he has to stay over nite. Just politely tell the hospital staff after you are done with chemo that you are going home. Then when they drag their feet walk right on by the nursing station and say SEE YA as you walk out. They can not force you to stay.
I actually missed 1 day for my grandfathers funeral, they just pushed it onto the next day. So if i was suppose to finish on say a monday then it just moved it to tuesday if that makes sense.

[ShawnsWife]

Ya know I kind of wondered about that. Guess they can't force you to stay. It's all a big racket anyhow. Said insurance wouldn t approve 8 hours only 24 hours. Okay?? Our Dr. did reassure us the one day wouldn't hurt anything. I still can't believe I'm here in this situation but I'm thankful for this site!! Just to know others have been through this and are able to guide us newbies is a great thing.

[eodtech2001]

Well if need be get admitted the day of and when your done get up and go home. Either way the insurance company is gonna try like crazy to get out of paying what they can.
Just make sure you have a current EOB "explanation of benefits" from your insurance company and make sure the providers have the current copy to. That way they wont try and charge for things tjat ahould be covered after you have met out of pocket expense.
The other thing is that if he does get admitted make sure the doctor writes a letter of explanation as to the medical reason for said stay and then your insurance company and them can fight it out. Cause you more than likley will end up with whats called balance billing which in alot of states is illegal. Just make sure you have your EOB and arm yourself with knowledge