Chemotherapy Round IX (October 24, 2024)

Our day began early with a 9:00 AM lab appointment, though traffic had us running a few minutes behind. Fortunately, the lab area was quiet when we arrived, so the delay didn’t cause any issues. Ali checked in, and within about 15 minutes, they called her back for bloodwork and to prepare her port. While we waited, Ali enjoyed a chat with Rhonda, the friendly face we’ve come to know at the check-in desk through all these visits. Rhonda’s presence and kindness have been a small but meaningful comfort amidst all the appointments.

Once the labs were completed, we moved on to our appointment with Dr. Jeneth Aquino. Ali has been experiencing significant abdominal pain over the past couple of weeks, which we discussed in depth. Dr. Aquino was concerned about the possibility of an obstruction, so she ordered an x-ray to investigate further. She also gave us a rundown of what to expect from this upcoming chemotherapy cycle, noting that rounds nine, ten, and eleven tend to be particularly challenging. Given how difficult Ali found round eight, this news understandably heightened her anxiety about what’s to come.

The x-ray process was thankfully quick; from check-in to completion, it took about 30 minutes. The results came back clear, showing no signs of blockage, which was a huge relief for both of us.

Our next stop was the infusion center, where Ali requested a bed to help her relax during treatment. Unfortunately, they were all occupied at that time, so we set up in a recliner room while we waited. Brittany, our nurse for the day, soon arrived to prepare and administer Ali’s chemotherapy medications. Thankfully, there was no need for an iron infusion this time, cutting 90 minutes from our treatment time.

About 20 to 30 minutes into the chemotherapy infusion, Ali began feeling a sudden itchiness around her eyes, and we noticed small bumps appearing on her skin. Brittany promptly paused the treatment and brought in Dr. Aquino to assess. After a quick evaluation, they administered Pepcid via IV to counter any possible reaction and started a saline drip. A bit later, they added a small dose of Benadryl and decided to wait another 30 minutes before resuming. Thankfully, this seemed to ease her symptoms, and she was able to continue with the chemotherapy infusion without further issues.

During our time in the infusion center, Dr. Bethany Raffalovich, Ali’s pain management doctor, stopped by for a consult. We discussed that, despite taking oxyCODONE, Ali was still experiencing significant pain. In response, Dr. Raffalovich decided to switch her medication from oxyCODONE to HYDROmorphone, aiming to provide more effective relief not only during her chemotherapy treatments but also for managing her pain at home. The switch made an immediate difference, offering Ali greater comfort and making the remainder of the day easier to endure. This adjustment also saved us an extra trip to the first floor for a scheduled appointment with Dr. Raffalovich following Ali’s chemotherapy session, as we were able to finalize the new pain management plan right then and there. This new approach will hopefully help Ali manage her pain more effectively.

After the in-hospital infusion was complete, the nurse hooked Ali up to her 46-hour take-home chemotherapy pump. This treatment will finish on Saturday, at which point I’ll unhook it for her at home.

The day was long, nearly ten hours from start to finish, but thankfully, Ali made it through without any additional complications. We finally arrived home around 7:00 PM, tired but grateful that everything had gone as smoothly as it could under the circumstances.