Cycle 1 Day 1

We arrived at MD Anderson at 7:45am. After some waiting, Dad was called back for his vitals (all good) and then escorted to Room 16 of the Clinical Research Translation center. The room is set up similar to a hospital ER exam room. We waited a few more minutes and around 9:15, Kendra (Dale's nurse) hooked Dale up to an IV. She brings in 8 or 9 bags of medications and hangs them on his "tree". Benadryl, Zofran, a steriod and another drug that eases digestive upset were given (each in 10 minute increments). Dale dined on a Prasek's Pig and a banana! Once those pre-meds were onboard, vitals were taken again and then Taxol was added. Taxol will drip for 3 hours. Kendra comes by every few minutes to see how things are going. It's 11am and he'll be on taxol til around 2pm.


1pm update: Ashley, Research Nurse, came by with a questionaire to complete and three prescriptions to take home. Zofran, a steroid and compazine - nausea meds for the next few days. Lunch is being served and Dale's reclined in the chair watching Tiger tee off! Pretty easy day so far. Have about 45 more minutes of Taxol, 1/2 hour of Carbo, then 1 hour of the "experimental" stuff, then 4 hours of fluids! Should be done about 8pm! UGH!

3pm update: Waiting on lab draw and then the "experimental" drug drips for one hour! Going great! Photo at the top is of the "experimental" drug. Duly marked as experimental! IV is annoying him, but he's tolerating it. Still joshing with the nurses and being 'funny'.

5:30pm: Dale has had one hour of fluid IVs so far. Dr. Tsao wanted 4 hours of fluids after treatment to help flush the kidneys. Dinner has been ordered and the first round of FedEx cup is complete! Dale had another blood draw one hour after the experimental drug. His last blood draw today. Fluids should be finished around 8:30pm, then we'll head to Pearland for the night. Dennis picked up all of Dale's home medications and they are waiting for us at home. Dale will take a steroid for 3 days and Zofran as necessary. He also has Compazine for nausea if needed. Everyone hear really preaches "fluids" so I guess that's our new mantra!