Chemo Weeks 1 & 2
(I recently realized that I never posted this update. Oops... my apologies!)
Bryan began his first round of chemo on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. We arrived at Ironwood Cancer & Research Center bright and early, checked in, and they let me come back to the infusion room with him to get him settled. There were only about 3 other patients in the room at the time, so he chose a chair, and the nurse took us through all of the orientation rules and the consent forms, etc. Then, she said I could leave my number at the desk when I was ready to leave, and she would get his IV started. I had been doing fine emotionally until it was time to leave him there, then I teared up and cried a little at the thought of him having to go through this first treatment alone.
I headed to a local coffee shop, stood in a very long line, ordered a cinnamon roll & something called a Buckeye cold brew (so good!), and got back in the truck and started driving to my sister Jen's house. (I had arranged with her to hang out at her place since she lives just 10 minutes away from the cancer center.) Jen came home briefly for lunch and talked with me for a little while before she had to go back to work. By the time I was left in the silence of her house, Bryan texted me to say things were going all right, and he had about an hour left to go. So, I opened my work laptop to check & answer e-mail messages until I got the call from the nurse that he would be finished soon, and I could pick him up in about 15 minutes.
I packed up my computer and left Jen's house, drove back to the cancer center, and took Bryan home. He was there for approximately 3.5 hours total that morning. The doctor had estimated that the infusions would take 4-5 hours. He did fine, of course, and they sent him home with a chemo pump attached to his port, because one of the drugs has to go in very slowly, over the next 48 hours. Then, we went back on that Friday afternoon to have his pump removed, which was a quick appointment.
Bryan did really well on this first round, and didn't experience any adverse side effects. (Praise God!) He has had a healthy appetite, good digestion, and decent sleep. These chemo treatments will take place every 2 weeks (one week on, one week off), for as long as needed. We will try to keep you posted about his progress as we are able over the coming months. Thank you for your continued prayers!