The Way the Cookie Crumbles

     

     For those lucky enough to not be familiar with chemo, it's broken down into 4 week cycles.   We are currently about half way through the first cycle of his  new treatment (EPd).   

Empliciti/Elotuzmab - An infusion given every week for the first two cycles.   

Pomalyst/pomalidomide- A daily chemo that he takes for three weeks, then off for a week.  

Decatron/Dexamethasone- A steroid taken on the same day as infusion.   

    Knowing that things would be "unpleasant" I tried to think of a way to give us something to look forward to.   We settled on cookies.   Crumbl cookies to be specific.   

   The first week, the infusion was back up at the main hospital and was a super long day.   The infusion was extra long to make sure he didn't have any reactions.     It was amazing to see how things have changed since we were there last about a year and a half ago.   There is a eight story, 205,000 square foot expansion began in 2019, and will likely be completed next year.   It will increase their beds from 100 to almost 150.  (See picture below)    It will have a floor for Women's cancers, but will also include additional services for blood and marrow patients.   He shifted wrong in the uncomfortable chair and has been suffering with a pinched sciatic nerve ever since, so sadly, we were too tired that week to get cookies.   

     Last week we were grateful to be back closer to home.   It's been strange having chemo on a Tuesday, and has been an adjustment since it's been on Wednesday for years.   A simple change makes for an extra long week.   His infusion was shorter and he didn't have any reactions.   His sciatic is still bothering him and the chairs still suck.   However we looked forward to the Midnight Mint and Key Lime Pie cookies at the end of chemo, and they were delicious.   

     Tuesday's are a totally different mix of people, patients and nurses.   Some of the nurses we haven't seen in a while, so it's good to see them again.   But as for the patients,  the super grumpy old people next to us the first week, and the the lady screaming this week as they tried to access her sure make it exciting... interesting...weird?   Not quite sure what words to describe that.   The weather outside was rainy and there was strange rumblings in the building.  Not sure what that was all about.   However this week was Chocolate Cookies and Cream.   Delicious!

    Next week starts his off week from Pomalyst.   So far changing to Pomalyst has had less and different side effects than Revlimid.   It's been a nice change, but having a week off will also be a welcome break.       What cookies do you think we'll have next week after infusion?   Even if the weekly cookie isn't our favorite, you can never go wrong with their classic chocolate chip.