Consolidation #2

We returned to Little Rock on Monday.  We were hesitant as we weren't able to get another apartment with Home Away From Home.  We did get an apartment at Hidden Creek Retirement Home.  This is a small furnished apartment at a former nursing home.  The apartment is smaller but so is the rent.  We don't have Internet access there so I have to use the Internet while at UAMS.

Tuesday she had blood tests and that dreaded bone marrow biopsy procedure.  Wednesday it was an MRI and then wait for the results.  Yesterday was our appointment with Dr. Barlogie.  Our appointment was at 1:30 but it was after 6:30 when we got out.  They had failed to order Carla's Thalidomide.  At our July discharge, We had warned the doctor that we only had enough for two days and she needs four days of Thalidomide for the Consolidation.

Basically they faxed the prescription to CareMark and I periodically called them.  Today I got notification that it will be shipped overnight and I will have to stay at the apartment from 8 - noon tomorrow to sign for it.

As a result of the delay at the doctor's office yesterday, Carla couldn't get her line implanted in her chest yesterday.  She is getting the line put in now but won't be able to get the black bag with the two IV pumps until tomorrow.  This means were are getting a day later start to her chemo but her meds should be here as she needs them.

I did note that they failed to get us the prescription for the dexamethsone that she takes with the thalidomide.  I am attempting to get that phoned in to Walgreens so she will have it in the morning.  We have found you have to really check on what is done to make certain that nothing has been omitted or that the wrong meds/IV's have been given.

The treatment is in the newly opened Winthrop Rockefeller Cancer Institute.  Both the Infusion Center and 7C are now combined into one location.  The Blood Draw and MRI are also in the new tower.  I will try to post some pictures in a later blog.

One lady from Hope, AR that we shared an infusion room with several times is in ICU with a lung infection.  She has been in a comma for at least 12 days but appears to be improving.  Please remember to pray for her.  We are taking special care to prevent infections as Carla's immunity goes down hopefully for the last time.