Yesterday Matt began chemotherapy. We were both very nervous about this since there are so many unknowns of how he will react to the medicines. We were taken into a very nice and comfortable area, kinda like our own cubicle, that had a nice recliner, private tv and faced large windows which looked out into the Estrella Mountains. The nurse was wonderful and explained everything to us as she started each medicine.
For the first few hours Matt was given pre meds to help with the side effects of the chemotherapy medicines. He was given anti nausea medicine as well as Benadryl which was nice because it relaxed Matt and he slept for most of the time we were there. We stayed there for about 5 hours and then they attached a pump that Matt could carry around with him for the next few days. Aside from being tired and being sensitive to cold things, he doesn't seem to be having any bad side effects.
Today we woke up, ate breakfast outside and took a walk in the beautiful weather. Matt is still not showing any major side effects of the chemo and we pray that this will continue. He is still tired but is eating well. The best news is that tomorrow at 12:30 they will remove the pump and we will be able to go home after being here for more than a week! We are so excited to see our children, friends and extended family again. Matt's schedule will be: home for a week and a half and then back to the center for 3 days - Mon. - Wed. for chemotherapy treatments. So the next time we will need to come back will be on Monday April 25. We will do this for at least 6 months. After about the first 12 weeks the doctors will reevaluate Matt to see if they want to do surgery to remove the tumor from the colon.
Today was a good day for me as we were able to leave the hospital and come over to Matt's brothers home. His mom is here and I left him in her care and went to eat lunch with Brittani and one of her co workers who is also the care giver for her husband who was diagnosed with cancer the same time as Matt. It was really nice to be able to talk with someone who knows how I feel and can relate to what I am going through. I was also able to run 5 miles and that always makes me feel better! :)
Many of you have asked if you could come and visit us at the cancer treatment center and I want you to know that we would love it! I am feeling much stronger now and can more easily talk about what is going on so if you want to visit us here at the cancer center or at home in Thatcher we would welcome it. Visits from friends cheer Matt up. Since I am his care giver I will let visitors know when Matt is not up for it or too tired. :)
I want to thank all of you again for your comments to this blog, email messages, phone calls, and face book messages. Everyone has been so kind and all of your messages provide us with the love and support we need to get through this. We feel your prayers and we love that many of you have put our names in the temples throughout the world! Thank you so much to our Italian friends who held ward fasts Sunday for Matt and our family. We feel so loved.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!
Niki
So happy the treatment has begun, and now you are able to "do" something! Yeah... so glad Matt is handling the treatment so far! We sure love you both! Positive thoughts and prayers continue!! HUGS! I'm planning a trip up to Phoenix soon, so will come do lunch or something at the center with you... <3 U!
ReplyDeleteHello, My name is Mike Windsor, and I work with Matt at Freeport-McMoRan. Please let him know that I am glad to hear that he has began his treatment, and that he is doing so well with it. Let him know that I am praying for him, and that everyone misses his upbeat personality. Tell him to keep that same awesome attitude, and to stay positive. Let him know that I am waiting for him to get better, so that we can run a race together, and tell him that I still trust him (he will know what I mean). Tell him to remember that Heavenly Father works millions of Miracles everyday, and that he can and will beat this!
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