Chemo #4. . .Finally!

As we loaded the car and prepared to leave for Salt Lake, Brendan took a moment to let the sun shine on his face.  The new snow was beautiful.

 We arrived at Primary's in good time and were excited to see Uncle Jack and Aunt ShaMayne waiting for us as we came through the doors.

 Jack had just been released from the hospital after his tumor removal surgery on Tuesday.  He's recovered quickly and was ready to head home.  But he wanted to visit Brendan first.  After a months recovery, Jack will start his own chemo treatments.

 After visiting for a few more minutes, we hurried to Brendan's audiogram appointment.

 Brendan knows the routine. . .

 Today the results of Brendan's hearing tests were much more positive.  No changes have taken place since his last tests.  Brendan asked if hearing aids would help the tinnitus (ringing in his ears).  He was told that they might -- but tinnitus often decreases and sometimes goes away completely after chemo treatments finish.  Hopefully, that will be the case with Brendan.  Hearing changes can still take place up to 6 months after treatment, though, so Brendan was taught some communication strategies (looking at people when they talk, asking people to repeat themselves, listening to white noise at night when the tinnitus gets more annoying) to use until we see how his hearing is after treatment.

 While I admitted Brendan into the hospital, Jack and Brendan had time to compare surgery experiences, discuss chemo, and talk about how grateful they are to live in an age when so much can be done to fight cancer.

 After checking in and getting settled, Brendan's port was accessed and fluids were started.  In an effort to keep sodium levels steady, fluids are being given much more sparingly.

 Unlike previous starts to chemo, Brendan has stayed alert and energetic.  Before, within an hour or two of fluids starting, Brendan became lethargic and would get a headache.  So I think they are on to something here.  But it has made it hard for him to hit his specific gravity (urine dilution) requirements.  They thought he would start his first dose of chemo around 7 p.m., but now it is 10 p.m. and they will be giving him a bolus of fluid to see if he can meet the urine output specifications.

Having three rounds of chemo behind him, we are hopeful we can get through this round without incident.  We've learned a lot, so we'll see how this round goes!