When we were sitting in the waiting area, she asked me if I brought the Scrabble along. I told her I forgot. Then she asked if I could download it onto my phone...apparently she was chomping at the bit to get back at me, having lost to me by 5 points last week.
As for the chemo marathon, here's how it went: started out with a bag of IV fluids, which took two hours. Afterwards, due to a low blood count, she got a unit of blood, then the chemo (Taxol) and some magnesium, followed by another unit of blood. Each unit of blood needed to drip in for two and a half hours and the Taxol, about an hour. Of course, there was "down time" in between that stuff dripping in: getting the IV placed in her arm, premedicating her for the chemo, checking vitals and then checking them again.
Through it all, she was a trooper and kept wondering when she could leave. We kept telling her "in a little bit". During this marathon session, she napped, dozed, snoozed and watched a little Frasier and the Great British Baking Show. As for us, well, we took turns stepping out for a little fresh air, but for the most part stuck with her through it all. She stayed cheerful throughout this marathon day and even took time to ask our nurse about her summer plans. She's like that: always taking an interest in others.
As soon as she got home (8:40), she just rolled into bed, one very tired, chemo patient. She is off in slumberland now with Renée watching from the chair next to the bed.
Sadly, she has been pretty foggy throughout the latter half of the day. We are hoping for a better day tomorrow. We are all a little shell-shocked over the rapid change in her health, especially the weakness and confusion. We had thought that it would be more gradual. Less than a week ago (last Saturday, to be exact), she and I had a nice walk at Edmonds Marina Park (pix below), and the weekend before that, she and I splashed around in Lake Washington on an inner tube. See how cheerful she looks! I don't know why I look so serious on the inner tube, I was having a great day (I think I was busy saying, "don't take the picture till I'm done peeing").
Beauty and the Beast (or Aquaman)
Edmonds Marina Park six days ago
Goodness - indeed a marathon! Bless her heart! You all have my thoughts and prayers always! Kudos to Gabrielle! 😘🙏💓⭐️✝️🙏
ReplyDeleteThank you, Steve (and Renee and Dan) for being so willing to keep all of us updated while taking care of your one true love. You're all very precious and loved very much. ♥️
ReplyDeleteThank you Steve for taking care of and loving Gabby the way you do...you two have a beautiful love story and a connection that you don't see that often. Kiss her forehead for me, and tell her I say "aloha". SHe is amazing. All my love and prayers to you all.
ReplyDeleteJust thinking of you all and up pops notice of a new blog post! Thank you for the updates as I know that is equally draining as living through each event as it happens. So I guess the Scrabble game never happened? Probably best under the circumstances unless you let her win! Know that we're holding you all up to our Father in Heaven, for all His good gifts to be yours in these days now and to come, whatever they hold. One day at a time, and so thankful you have each other.
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