Well, Chemo Round #2 was supposed to be LAST Friday, but we like to keep it exciting in this family!!

The last chemo pill Dad was on caused fluid to build up in his lungs, thus causing an awful cough. The doctors said once he was off the med for a week or so, the fluid should be absorbed in his body. Well, after three weeks of the awful cough, Mayo was contacted and they were concerned. The day before the planned chemo treatment they added an x-ray to Dad’s other exciting appointments for the day.

#1 - Dad’s normal blood test came back showing that his hemoglobin was 6. For anyone not versed in hemoglobin, that is LOW. Cue two blood transfusions on Thursday AND chemo had to be rescheduled.

#2 - The x-ray showed a lot of fluid still in Dad’s lungs so instead of chemo on Friday he had to have a procedure to drain the fluid. Oh joy!!  They pulled 1.5 LITERS of fluid out of just his right lung. Uff!!

(So it is no wonder Dad has been feeling cruddy. Between the hemoglobin and lung fluid, that indeed equals to getting hit by a bus…..a REALLY BIG bus.)

The blood transfusions and fluid removal helped a good deal. On Sunday we spent a beautiful Mother’s Day at the zoo and Dad got to rock it on an electric shooter. We were very proud of him for not drag racing to see the baby goats!!

Chemo #2 was rescheduled for Thursday of this week. Tomorrow is the pre-chemo appointment checking that vitals are good to go for the cocktail of wonders. Dad has been feeling in much better shape than the last time he went in for chemo. We still prepare for day 3 (Sunday) to be a bit of a doozy but hopefully not as bad as the first time!!