Journal entry by Meredith Hartmann —
Good Morning:
Donna had her first treatment yesterday. Her friend Lynn took her and lovingly sat with her all day during the infusion which takes about 6 hours. Donna was so grateful for Lynn's company as you can imagine, she was extremely nervous and uncertain. Donna had a reaction to one of the medications and she was very scared, Lynn helped keep Donna calm while the Center figured a work around. The technicians slowed the drip down and Donna seemed to tolerate it very well after that.
As I stated (a gazillion times that I would), I have opened up the calendar and have entered all of Donna's chemo appointments. If you can and would like to accompany Donna to her chemo, please sign up for the task. Remember that this is a commitment, once you have assigned yourself to the task, unless there is an emergency, please do not cancel. This is emergent and the treatment plan has been carefully laid out by the team of Oncologists. If you do not think you can get Donna to the center on time, do not sign up. All but one of the appointments is at 8:00 am (the other is 8:30 am). That means getting Donna in Levittown and being in Mineola (I will post address when I get it from Donna) for the specified time. If you can spend the day or some time with her throughout the infusion it would be a huge bonus but the most important task is getting her to Mineola and take her back to Levittown. Donna would really appreciate NOT being alone during this process but it is a long day so if you could spend anytime after drop off or before pick up, it would be so welcome. Our mission is to help Donna beat this cancer, jump on the bandwagon and show her your support.
I will, within the next few days, open up the calendar for dinner drop offs and visits. Due to the side effect of extreme fatigue, it may be better to schedule visits or at least to call Donna so as not to disturb her much needed rest.
All in all, she seems to be holding up very well. Unfortunately, I have no update on Barbara at this time but when I do, I will share it with you.
Meredith
Donna had her first treatment yesterday. Her friend Lynn took her and lovingly sat with her all day during the infusion which takes about 6 hours. Donna was so grateful for Lynn's company as you can imagine, she was extremely nervous and uncertain. Donna had a reaction to one of the medications and she was very scared, Lynn helped keep Donna calm while the Center figured a work around. The technicians slowed the drip down and Donna seemed to tolerate it very well after that.
As I stated (a gazillion times that I would), I have opened up the calendar and have entered all of Donna's chemo appointments. If you can and would like to accompany Donna to her chemo, please sign up for the task. Remember that this is a commitment, once you have assigned yourself to the task, unless there is an emergency, please do not cancel. This is emergent and the treatment plan has been carefully laid out by the team of Oncologists. If you do not think you can get Donna to the center on time, do not sign up. All but one of the appointments is at 8:00 am (the other is 8:30 am). That means getting Donna in Levittown and being in Mineola (I will post address when I get it from Donna) for the specified time. If you can spend the day or some time with her throughout the infusion it would be a huge bonus but the most important task is getting her to Mineola and take her back to Levittown. Donna would really appreciate NOT being alone during this process but it is a long day so if you could spend anytime after drop off or before pick up, it would be so welcome. Our mission is to help Donna beat this cancer, jump on the bandwagon and show her your support.
I will, within the next few days, open up the calendar for dinner drop offs and visits. Due to the side effect of extreme fatigue, it may be better to schedule visits or at least to call Donna so as not to disturb her much needed rest.
All in all, she seems to be holding up very well. Unfortunately, I have no update on Barbara at this time but when I do, I will share it with you.
Meredith
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