Chemo #1

Steve had his first chemo therapy this week. He was admitted on Tuesday night. Here is the run-down of how things went:
*Three nurses tried 2 times each to start a line in his chest port. (One nurse told Tracee to glove up and watch and learn)
*Three nurses realized there must be something wrong with the chest port.
*Peripheral IV line started and pre-medications given.
*Chemo started.
*After 1st chemo med was administered, Rituxin begun.
*Reaction to Rituxin, "rigors" or severe shakes and chills. Expected.
*Given Demerol for shakes and chills.
*Welts and severe itching from Demerol spreading up arm and shoulder to chest.
*Eyes start to swell and sinuses plug up.
*Benedryl given to counter act the Demerol. Told to never take Demerol again.
*Eyes continue to swell, not just the eyelids, but the EYEBALLS.
*Eyeballs now swelling outside of sockets, eyelids can't close completely,gross.
*Chemo stopped and steroids given IV.
*Allergic symptoms begin to get better. Eyes slowly start to un-swell.
*This morning, x-rays to see what was wrong with port.
*Port is flipped over. (Dog clobbered Steve a few nights ago when they were playing.)
*Steve needs surgery for new port.
*Steve doesn't want surgery.
*Steve flips his port back over through his skin.
*Radiologist and nurses amazed.
*Port works and chemo continues.
*Eyes are back in sockets
*Chemo done, eyes better, home!!!!!




He is doing well here at home tonight. And he is cute again!!