First his vital signs were taken: blood pressure, temperature, blood oxygen saturation, pulse.
Then a blood draw and wait for lab results. The parameters for treatment to proceed are ANC (absolute neutrophil count, a type of white blood cell) 1.0 or better; platelets 75,000 or better; hemoglobin 8.0 or better. Doug's counts are good since he has been off treatment for a while, but that may change.
After the blood counts were approved, the next step was for Doug to take Zofran, an anti-nausea pill - to prevent him from throwing up all the expensive pills. Then he took 10 dexamethasone pills and had to wait 20 minutes before taking 12 Cytoxan capsules. Then the nurse injected the Velcade into his abdominal fat, about two inches to the side of his navel. This is called a subcutaneous, or SQ, injection. Each medication had to be checked by two nurses to make sure he took the correct drugs, and the time logged in.
Two hours, 23 pills and one shot later, we were free to go home.
Doug felt fairly good afterward. Praise the Lord! He ate a good supper but took another Zofran at 7:00 pm when he felt slightly nauseated.
If he can't sleep tonight, we have a pill for that too!
Love to all.
"Each of us is merely a small instrument; all of us, after accomplishing our mission will disappear." Mother Teresa
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