Torture Day 2

Wednesday July 20 -

So all the test they didn't do yesterday are being done today.  First I get the EKG.  Then about an hour latter I have the Echo Cardiogram done.  That was cool because I got to hear and see my own heart beat.  It works!

I chill for a bit.  I would eat breakfast but I don't get to.  I am fasting again.  However now I get to take drugs for things.  I take more drugs for the headache and a bunch of cancer drugs that help keep things good while I have chemo.

I get to chill again and then it is time for the bone marrow biopsy.  The lady that came to do that is a spit fire. She is super awesome.  She asks if two student nurse can watch.  "of course!"

So I have to lay flat on the bed.  They pick a site that they think will have good landmarks.  There are a couple of samples that are needed.  Two that I picked up on are the marrow itself and then a bone chip.

She gives me a local which pinches and then burns. Not nice!  Now I can just feel all the pushing around digging.  Well after several minutes there is not success.  "Amy your bones are really tough"! I told them I am Super Girl!  She ends up sending in for a male nurse Peter. I told her it's the pickle jar effect. She gets things loosened up and he will plow right through it.  Well they are still both struggling to get a chip or the marrow.   Thank goodness for DRUUUUUUGS!  That's going to leave a mark!

That happened right in my room.  While we were waiting for the team to have an opening for my Tri-line catheter thingy my Oncologist came in.  She explained in greater detail what would be happening and why they would be doing it that way.

Essentially I am doing what is called Nordic Chemotherapy.  I will have 6 treatments that take about 3 weeks to process.  Every other treatment is a different "recipe" of chemo.  So 1,3,5 will be the same and 2,4,6 will be the same.  When that is all done and IF there is remission I will do a stem cell transplant.  It is my own stem cells that will be harvest and frozen over at the Red Cross.  That is the short versions but the jist of it.   This whole process could take up to 8 months!

Oh Boy.

They finally come grab me for getting in the Tri-Line thingy.  The tecs in this department are hilarious.  I get some good drugs and the line goes in and then tunnel up over my collar bone. So I can take out my IV's!!!! That makes me soooo happy!   I will have everything done through those ports.

I get back to my room and I am able to talk with quite a few people.  I basically get the rest of the day off!  No more torture!