Another day of chemo

This morning I start by having a camera shoved down my throat. They wanted to take pics of my heart to make sure I have no infection. Pointless sadistic procedure all because the doctors couldn't make up their minds during my 10 day stay at the hospital last week. I hope I never have to do that again.

Now I wait to get my day chemo. I seriously hope everything goes off without delay or problems. It almost seems that every time I schedule a Dr apt they want to admit me to the hospital. There's always something wrong. I'm sick of it. I've had enough.

Home at last

I finally got released from the hospital after a miserable 10 day stay. They inserted a PICC in me so I can administer my antibiotics through IV for the next few days.

Disappointing week at USC hospital

I've never been one to complain. I'm typically patient when it comes to customer service but this week at USC has been disaster.

First we couldn't get the hospital to figure out if either the hospital, Uerology, or Radiology was responsible for fixing my kidney nefrostomy tube. This delay caused my fever, infection and the pain I had on my back. So we complained to everyone at the hospital and had an incident report written.

Then you know about Nurse Beni.

Yesterday I switch rooms and move to the 9th floor for chemo. I get here and the resident Dr tells us we're not starting chemo today. We argue that my Dr said we are. He checks and says there is no request for the chemo for me. My Dr has to write it. Later turns out this guy was suppose to copy my old chemo plan and my Dr would sign off. We get that done and this clown tells us it's a 3 day treatment. We question him and it turns out he's wrong. It's the same 2 day plan. That's the first problem of the day.

I arrived at the hospital at noon. The nurse sets up my antibiotic IV drip but forgets to unlock it so it starts dripping. It's a 4 hr drip. At 4 pm Elina notices the bag hasn't shrunk. Plus the nurse hasn't come to see me in those 4 hrs. The Dr has also disappeared with no chemo in sight. So we complain again and get another incident report written. The nurse blames the mistake on the person that started a new IV for me. Regardless it's still her responsibility.

Then we see something our eyes can't believe. The 4hr antibiotic drip gets started at 4pm ish. Less then 2 hrs go by and El notices the nurse taking it off my IV. El asks and the nurse says its done. Claims that the drip was going extra slow when we had the initial problem with it. Then she uses the single use isolation cover they're obligated to wear and wraps everything in it. She goes to the door were the the trash is, pulls the curtain all the way and we hear lots of noise as she dumps it in the trash. We sit and watch this in shock. Once the nurse leaves El checks the trash and finds the trash and my antibiotic IV bag soaking wet.

We don't get it. You're already busted for delaying my meds and now you're denying me of them. We complain to the Dr and tell him she's not allowed foot in my room ever again.

We'll file another complaint before we leave. Overall this entire week I've had the most disappointing experience since we started coming to USC.

My chemo did get started but due to the delays I'll be done much later today.

Chemo round 3

Yesterday they performed a ultrasound on my heart to make sure there was no infection around it since earlier in the week I had tested positive for an infection. Well the test came up negative and all other tests have since come up negative.

Today I am changing rooms and will begin my 2 day chemo treatment. Round 3 here I come.

Now if only someone can come roll my butt upstairs to my new room so I can start. I'm anxious because I think this means I may go home Thursday.

Tired

I'm tired of these hospitals. I'm tired of this cancer. I want to go home. I want my life back. I don't want to do this anymore. I wanna tap out.

Work

This may sound weird for some but I miss going to work.

Cancer

Today I discovered that one of my old Boeing coworkers has been diagnosed with brain cancer and is going through radiation treatment. I hope I'm not starting a trend.

Nurse Beni

So it's night time and the nurse shift change happens. My nurse comes and asks me questions she should know if she read my report. She takes my temp and see's I have a fever. She doesn't bring me ice packs or Tylenol. We ask for orange juice and water. The juice comes in these small 4oz cups. She brings us 1. Ummm I wanted to drink juice. Not sample it. Then she puts in new IV bags. After a few one machine starts beeping. We call and it takes her 20 min to come and since I was sitting next to the machine she tells me to push the button. Doesn't say which button. I do and it doesn't work. I tell her to do it herself since I don't wanna mess it up. Who's the nurse anyway? The IV doesn't work. It's blocked. She waited so long that the line got blocked and wouldn't reopen. She has to put in a new IV on my arm. She tells me she can't do it now since she has to distribute meds to others so she goes away for half an hour. She comes back and preps to put in the IV.

Here's something to know. I have 2 IV's on my left arm so they can give me multiple meds at once. This is good because that leaves my right arm to perform daily tasks. She suggests putting the new IV on my right arm. Picture this scene with me in bed, both arms confined to an IV. I tell her to use the left arm. She starts to put in the IV. Now, I have really good veins. Anyone that has stuck a needle in me has complemented on how easy it is to work on me. I look down and I notice she's got the needle in me and she's pushing it in and pulling it out. It's starts to hurt so I complain. Then I just have enough with her and I ask if someone else can do it and comment how no-one has ever had a problem with my veins. She leaves and won't tell me who will come to put in the IV or when.

I wait 15 more min and with El's help I find my old nurse and request that I be switched to her. We talk to the head nurse and a min later it's done. I now have 2 functional IV's in my arm. I also have a swollen hand from my old IV.

Staying in the hospital so long I've learned that some of these nurses have no common sense.

Armenian Cancer Treatment

This is a collection of Do's and Dont's if you're Armenian and are going through cancer treatment.

1) eat eshi uge in the morning and in the evening.
2) eat kabob tomatoes. Not regular tomato.
3) don't go to a American or any other nationality doctor. They're scared (of what I don't know). Go to a Persian doctor. They're the best.
4) drink spinach juice (don't. You get the worst diarrhea.)
5) all tests and treatments completed on your relatives relatives relatives friends relative applies to your cancer. Ask your Dr why they haven't performed those tests for you.
6) when you get a fever, rub your feet with alcohol to bring the fever down. You can use Grey Goose, Smirnoff, Costco brand or anything you may like.

Modern Science

With all the money spent on disease and medicine research, the solution for a fever is a ice pack? I've been in this hospital for 5 days with a fever and nobody can figure out what's wrong with me. I feel like they're making a huge ass of me. I don't like it.

This fever needs to go

Yesterday early afternoon I broke through on my temperature and I felt great. Then late at night I get woken for labs and I notice I start shivering out of control again. That usually is not good news. At 5:30 am we check and my temp is 102. I think Thais means I'm spending the night again. This is a bit much. I wanna go home now.

Fever got me stuck

I had a heavy fever yesterday and today. Doctors are keeping me overnight till I get better. I feel ok but the machines tell a diff story.

Wonderful news

My cancer is shrinking.

105 fever

Today I got my bone and CT scan done. I was really cold through both scans. I had a bunch of blankets but the damage is done. I have a 100+ fever and so they are keeping me at least another night. So now I lay here with ice bags under my arms.

Back to the hospital

I should have posted this last night but I wasn't feeling well. I came to the hospital last night (happy valentines day). My kidney bag tube had come out from my right kidney. My right kidney was not draining and it caused a lot of problems. I had a fever, my feet were swollen, and I was in pain. Radiology finally got to checking my tube and it turned out it had come out. They were able to fix it so it's draining again; however they are still keeping me tonight just to keep an eye on me and due to the fever.

I was scheduled to get a CT scan and bone scan done today at Norris. To state the obvious I didn't make it to that appointment so tomorrow morning since I'll already be at hospital they're going to do the bone scan and possibly a CT scan as well if my kidney function is back.

Donations

Elina and I are forever thankful for how the donations are coming along. So many people have been so generous. Thank you.

This donation site was the idea of a few great friends of ours and we are forever great full.

Rest

I've been getting much needed rest this week. This chemo has got a hold of me and it won't let go. The side affects are harsh. I'm trying to keep busy at home so it distracts me from some of the discomfort I'm having. It doesn't always work.

Chemo day

I'm currently at the hospital for session 2 day 2 of chemo. Doctors say I'm looking better. Any minute now I'll be called to the day hospital. I hope this is a quick process.

3 wishes

It was brought to my attention that a year ago I had 3 wishes. I wanted to be engaged to El. Check. I wanted a new job. Check. I wanted to be accepted to USC. Check. Now I just need to get better so I can fully enjoy all three.

Nutrition is key

Today El and I met with Dr Hardy. She specializes in nutrition during chemo. She gave us a bunch of advise and supplement suggestions. It's a mixture of vitamin pills and protein powders. The goal is to increase my protein and calorie intake so I maintain the weight I have.

Just lying around

I don't know why but I've been out of it today. I've spent most of the day in bed. I hate days like this. Feels like I've accomplished nothing today. I need to snap out of it.