Session 1, Day 1

Today started out as quite the adventure but has calmed down (for me, but probably not Angela).  We were so good on Sunday about having the boys pack their bags and be ready for our early wake up.  We had food prepared and everything.  Well, as we are hurrying out the door, we forget the stroller and the food for Angela and myself.  We handed off the boys to my sister - thank you so much!!!  The food we could have worked around, but the stroller was a big deal since we needed it to safely transport Annie as we carried our other bags.  We stopped at a super target and found a stroller ON SALE and LAST ONE ON THE SHELF -HUGE BLESSING!!  We got to Huntsman late, but got some lab work done.  They went ahead and accessed my port and left tubes hanging out of my chest that they would use for chemotherapy later in the day.  I felt like I should have my picture in the National Geographic.  We visited with Dr. Gouw and his nurse.  They answered our questions, got our prescriptions ordered, explained all the medication I would be getting, etc....  We then went over to the Hospital side of Huntsman.  There we ran into another glitch.  Unlike the "clinic" side, the Hospital side could not allow Annie to be with.  They were kind and allowed Annie to come in my room while we made arrangements.  They said that for Annie, it was more a safety precaution for her since their could be things floating around that may make her sick - only sick people stay at the Hospital.  A dear friend drove up from Orem and got Annie.  Another dear friend took care of Annie until Angela came home later to pick her up.  We have the coolest friends in the UNIVERSE!!!  This is a real bummer.  I was looking forward to seeing Annie on these trips to and from.  They got me all settled in my room and got my tubes hooked up to the medication.  Another dear (sorry, the repetition was bugging me) wonderful friend stopped in to visit and showed us an amazing painting and to check in on us.  Again, we have the coolest friends in the UNIVERSE!!! During this session, I will have received 3 medications.  One took 5 minutes to give me.  Another one took 1 hour to "drip dry".  The last one has to be given over a 48 hour period - a "slow drip".  I call this one "Fruit Punch" because it is red in color and can pack a "punch" if not given correctly.  I have a constant bag of fluid that is dripping away.  I call it my "Gatorade" because of all the electrolytes that are in it.  There is a really nice outdoor veranda area that we checked out.  There are raised garden beds with stuff planted in them.  It will be really nice when the weather warms up.  It takes 12 laps to make a mile in this section of the hospital. I did about that tonight as I talked to my parents.  It was really good to talk to them.  I will be able to give them real hugs in a week.  We met a patient here that is probably about my age.  He has a similar cancer.  I hope to talk to him more tomorrow.  Today has been a great day.  I was/am surrounded by people who love/care about me.  I know that many prayers are said in my behalf.  I feel God's love for me an my family.  Thanks for all that YOU are doing for me and my family.  It does make a difference.                                                    -Doug-

P.S.  The food is really good. I had the Teriyaki Beef - WOW!