One Busy Day. . .

The clouds were hanging low as we left Cache Valley this morning, but at least it wasn't snowing.

 We made it to the Huntsman Cancer Institute in good time and had a few minutes to work on the puzzle before Brendan's radiation team was ready for him.  They remarked on what good spirits he was in today.

 Mmmm. . . warm blankets.  (Brendan wants a blanket warmer for Christmas.)

 Measuring (literally - that's a ruler in her hand) and lining up the red marks on Brendan's mask.  Four days down.

 From radiation we went straight to the School Zone at Primary Children's for Brendan's first day back at "school."

 They reviewed where he was in math and did some math problems together.  They both wrote out the problems on white boards then compared answers.  When they got a different answer Brendan remarked, "So what did you do wrong?"  Sure enough -- he showed her her mistake.

 The tutors in the School Zone gave Brendan a Garfield comic book which he didn't put down until he had finished the whole thing!

 We had lunch in the cafeteria while waiting for Brendan's "Clinic" appointment.

 Chris knew how to keep Brendan entertained during the long waits at Clinic.  Clinic is just an outpatient checkup.  Brendan will be doing clinic visits each Monday.  They check his blood counts, his vitals, and they make sure he is doing well.  Today they checked to make sure he was ready for his chemo treatment.

 Grandma Peck dropped in for a visit while we waited for the doctor.

 After clinic, we were admitted to the hospital to get ready for the chemo treatment.  The fourth floor (ICU) has great views.  Brendan was assigned to "D" pod this time.  We've been in all the pods now except for "A" pod.

 Brendan got settled in while Chris showed him a new activity book.

 He had a great nurse today (nicknamed "Irish") who posted several reminders of Brendan's job today.    Brendan has to drink and drink and drink, then . . . well, you know what comes after that.

 This particular chemo drug (cisplatin) is especially hard on the kidneys so they have to make sure he gets enough fluids and that he can eliminate them quickly.  Brendan has to meet certain requirements as to intake and output before they give him the cisplatin.

 After getting hooked up for 6 hours of fluids, the "art lady" came in to see if Brendan wanted to do an activity.  They settled on a duct tape pouch.  He is excited to show Lindsay what he learned.

After a few hours of fluids, Brendan started with a headache.  He's been nauseous again and not his perky self.  We are not sure why he would be feeling this way before he even gets his chemo treatment.  They are starting the anti-nausea medication now in order to get it "on board" before the cisplatin is given.  I guess of all the chemo drugs, this is one of the worst at causing nausea.  So it may be a long night.

 First though, he has to have enough fluids in him, and so far his urine shows he's not even close.  So they will give him a bolus (bag of fluid) or two and test again.