May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 NIV
Yesterday, we traveled to Austin for Melinda’s first round of chemo with Avastin. After meeting with the doctor to go over the possible side effects of Avastin, Melinda signed the paperwork, and we all went to the waiting room to wait. Thankful, Melinda’s parents were able to go with us.
I asked Melinda if she wanted me or her mom to sit with her during the treatment. Without hesitation, she said, mom. I just laughed. I think Melinda knows how much I really do not like hospitals. It was her way of saying go do something else, plus her mom is much more comforting than I in these situations. There is nothing like a bond between a mother and child.
The first treatment lasts about an hour and a half, I took some time to walk. They take it slowly to make sure she does not have any adverse reactions to the drug. The doctor said future treatments should be around 30 to 45 min. Thankful the first treatment went well, no reactions. Her only complaint was they did not numb the skin over the port before sticking her like the doctor said they would. She should have used the PREPARATION H that I brought based on the advice of one of my relatives.
The only other minor problem wasn’t with the treatment, but with the stitches in the port. The nurse that did the treatment wanted to know why the stitches had not been removed. I told her they did not say anything about them needing to come out so they must be the kind that dissolves. She said they don’t use those kinds of stitches on ports. I had to call the surgeon’s office that put in the port so they could tell her that yes they were. I guess the Waco surgeon is a little bit ahead of the game on new procedures than the ones this nurse has seen in Austin. Anyway, after getting that resloved we were allowed to leave. We got going from Central Austin at 4:50 PM and thanks to GOD, the Waze app, and toll roads we were home by 6:30.
I asked Melinda how she felt before I went to bed last night and she said I think I feel a little better. That is a good sign because according to the doctor after each Avastin treatment the patient usually feels much better. The downside is about 3 to 4 days before the next treatment is to start the patient may start to feel run down and lethargic.
Please continue to pray that the Avastin works for Melinda. Pray that she will not experience any side effects of the drug. Pray that we hear about Radiation treatments and can begin that round of treatment very soon.
We are filled with Joy and Peace, knowing GOD is in Control. We pray that you know such Joy and Peace. If you do not we would love to talk to you about how you can through the LOVE of JESUS CHRIST.
