port-o-cath

We are only two weeks into this thing and already it seems like Vandy Childrens Hospital is our home away from home. At first hospitals always seem like daunting places--you'll never know your way around. It doesn't take long to get pretty familiar.



We checked in at 9am to the 3rd floor. This is the surgical floor. We filled out paper work, paid the co pay, and hung out. Outwardly we probably appeared at ease but inwardly it still really sucks. I think in my own mind the denial process is still in place. I have to will my brain to remember that this procedure today is only the beginning. Adam had bone marrow sampled to rule out metastasis and for research which we consented to on our first visit to Dr. Kuttesch's and he had a 'port-a-cath' implanted into his chest. This will provide a less painful and more stable vein to inject chemo medications over the next 6 months. We think '6 months' because during Adam's operations today Dr. K sat down with us and explained that it looks as if the tumor Adam had was successfully removed and from the imaging tests so far there is no metastasis. The bone marrow scan could still show spread but Dr. K seems optimistic, as much as he is willing to show optimism, that Adam will qualify for a 'low risk' study group and will be able to participate in a treatment protocol that uses less intensive chemo. What this means is that for the first 3 months he will get the standard cocktail of three medications, and for the second 3 months he will get only two of those medications. This regimen is also shorter than the standard protocol which I believe is 9 months. Dr. K explained that this will reduce his exposure to the harsh side effects, short term and long term.



Make no mistake, Adam will still go through what most of us know about chemo: nausea, hairloss, weakness, etc. But the alternative is worse. Small blessings count!

Today, as usual, Adam handled things with grace and charm---and a little detachment. The one thing he was excited about was that the nurse, Meredith who was with Adam yesterday, made a special trip to see Adam and brought him the FLARP Noise Putty that he lost yesterday which had been given to Adam by the CT tech who thought he was a clown. Adam couldn't stop laughing yesterday when he was making fart sounds and was thrilled that Meredith went to the trouble. Hail Meredith.....

The surgery went fine. Adam had a little nausea from the morphine and was sleepy of course but no other problems. We just got back home a little while ago. Adam and I are sitting watching Rattatouie.

We have an appt with Dr. K on Tuesday. I think at that point we will seal the deal with regards to the 'low risk' regimen. Adam's chemotherapy starts next Thursday. Dr. K says he will be getting treatments about every 3 weeks but will be seen in the office weekly. The first chemo treatment will be a hospital admission. Depending on how Adam handles that he may have outpt sessions going forward. I am not really sure.