Another that guy moment

So today we started the weekly chemo.  I thought we were going to do one day a week 3 weeks on one off, but it looks like we have four weeks in a row.  Anyway we received a phone call from the pharmacy on Saturday evening that we had a prescription ready.  We thought it was dexamethasone since we knew we were getting a script for that to start off our chemo.  He had to take 10 4 mg pills.  Of course we crushed those and put the through the PEG.  Well when I got to the pharmacy I received 44 tablets of Cyclophasphamide.  The label said to take 11 each Monday.  Well here is the problem.  These are chemotherapy agents.  How am I going to crush them safely and why would I administer chemotherapy agents.  I don't have the proper attire for that.  The dosage was 550 mg, which seemed high for a low dose therapy since last time he took 750 mg once in a month and now he will be taking 550 four times this month?  So I get to the chemo infusion and the nurse informs us we were suppose to take that at home.  They called up pharmacy and I was informed that I should not be crushing them as that could cause me problems.  They suggested he swallow them and he looked at them like they were crazy and said I can't swallow 11 of those horse pills.  They all looked quizzically and he said I get my food from my PEG.  Then we get the standard "Oh your that guy".  They had never had this problem before.  So the pharmacy took the pills and they came back with a soluable solution for his PEG.  I think the plan is next week to administer it via IV.  Also with the drug he took he needs an extra liter of water the next two days.  Well drinking it or putting it in his PEG isn't a good idea since he gets intense nausea.  So they gave him a bag of fluid there and then I came home and hooked him up to his daily liter of fluid.  So our 45 minute chemo turned into 3.5 hours.  On the bright side it seemed like it went pretty quickly.

Comments

  • Billie67
    Billie67 Member Posts: 898
    That Guy....and Girl
    Continue to be in my prayers. I hope this next round of Chemo is uneventful for both of you. I am still praying hard daily for the miracle that David needs.
    In the mean time try and remember to take time for you. Easier said than done I know but do try.
    With love and hugs,
    Billie
  • sassysrice
    sassysrice Member Posts: 117
    Jesus

    How much more do you have to go through. I really feel for you. You and David have definately earned your wings and halo's. My prayers and thoughts continue everyday.

    God bless and God speed

    Sue

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    Head Slap...

    I think that they all need a head slap....

    What idiots, obviously nobody is communicating leaving you guys stuck in the middle... I'd talk to my MD's and have them square this away for the future, that's just rediculous to not know patients needs better than that.

    Thoughts and Prayers,

    John

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    I'm with John and the head slap!!

    Thank gawd David has you to advocate for him.  I can't imagine being weak, sick, nauseated, and having to explain again...that I have to take things thru my PEG tube.  It's also unbelievable that the pharmacy instructed a layperson to handle and crush chemotherapy tabs!  Usually pharms are more "up" on things than Dr.'s, even....I'm glad this got all straightened out.

    p

  • NJShore
    NJShore Member Posts: 429 Member
    I triplicate that head slap...

    Vivian,

    wow!  Amazing.. I often think things I won't say to the doctors.. Someone prescribed this, right? I am thinking.. Is this how you want someone to treat your family member?

    good thing David has you!!! You are awesome at care taking! And I get it, wouldn't it be nice if you didn't have to be the critical thinker all the time?

    kudos for you in your wonderful advocating skills.

    Kari

  • ditto1
    ditto1 Member Posts: 660
    NJShore said:

    I triplicate that head slap...

    Vivian,

    wow!  Amazing.. I often think things I won't say to the doctors.. Someone prescribed this, right? I am thinking.. Is this how you want someone to treat your family member?

    good thing David has you!!! You are awesome at care taking! And I get it, wouldn't it be nice if you didn't have to be the critical thinker all the time?

    kudos for you in your wonderful advocating skills.

    Kari

    OH YOUR THAT GUY

    Ya your that guy who to us is one of the bravest men I have ever had the pleasure to know, Oh your that guy who has been blessed with a most precious gift in Vivian as your wife and care taker and ya Oh your that guy that inspires all of us on this site each and every day.  So I take honor in knowing That guy.  Diane and I truly pray  you see some light each day amoung all this caos.  You both deserve it and proudly wear the title of Your that Guy David because you sure are to us

  • Ingrid K
    Ingrid K Member Posts: 813
    ditto1 said:

    OH YOUR THAT GUY

    Ya your that guy who to us is one of the bravest men I have ever had the pleasure to know, Oh your that guy who has been blessed with a most precious gift in Vivian as your wife and care taker and ya Oh your that guy that inspires all of us on this site each and every day.  So I take honor in knowing That guy.  Diane and I truly pray  you see some light each day amoung all this caos.  You both deserve it and proudly wear the title of Your that Guy David because you sure are to us

    Vivian
    Ditto what Ditto

    Vivian

    Ditto what Ditto said.....

    you and David are two of the strongest people I have cyber-met.

    Just keep doing what you do Vivian and stay strong.

     

  • wolfen
    wolfen Member Posts: 1,324 Member
    Ingrid K said:

    Vivian
    Ditto what Ditto

    Vivian

    Ditto what Ditto said.....

    you and David are two of the strongest people I have cyber-met.

    Just keep doing what you do Vivian and stay strong.

     

    Aw, Vivian

    I know what it is. You & David forgot to remove those "I'M STUPID" signs from your foreheads. I get that a lot lately from doctors and staff. I try to be precise with my responses to each specalist's questions. Even though each problem associates with the next to create the big picture, each specialist has tunnel vision. I called the cardio's office today to schedule the follow up. She asked me what had been done to Ron in the hospital. I told her about the lung biopsy, med changes, and oxygen. As for specifics, I was never there. She proceeded to tell me that they didn't care about all that, just wanted to know what was done for his heart. I simply told her that her boss was the one who took care of him in the hospital, so maybe there's a possibility he could answer that one. My fuse is getting shorter!

    Don't let anyone be condescending to you guys. That really pi$$es me off.

    I'm glad they finally took time to figure it out and change the meds. If I remember correctly, they went to school for this. LOL

    Luv,

    Wolfen

  • VivianLee5689
    VivianLee5689 Member Posts: 546
    Ingrid K said:

    Vivian
    Ditto what Ditto

    Vivian

    Ditto what Ditto said.....

    you and David are two of the strongest people I have cyber-met.

    Just keep doing what you do Vivian and stay strong.

     

    David says I am that guys gal

    Thanks for everyone's comments. I read them to David and he was touched. He says he wants to get on here and thank everyone himself. He knows my main source of support is here and he is very thankful I found you.  I feel very blessed as well.  David is doing pretty well tonight despite a morning of chemo.  He actually ate as many calories by mouth as by PEG.  Not a lot of calories but better than I expected. 

  • fishmanpa
    fishmanpa Member Posts: 1,227 Member
    Dang right I'm "THAT" guy! You got a problem with that?

    Hi Vivian,

    A part of me seethed at reading your post. The insensitivity and lack of compassion would have tripped a fuse had that been me. I personally don't deal well with that kind of attitude. Of course I don't know how much fight I would have in me that far into treatments ;) I'm glad to see you're there to pick up the big stick and take care of business. 

    "T"