Yesterday afternoon Patty offered and I accepted to be taken to the ER to have the thumb examined. It was the right thing to do and perhaps in the nick of time. It turns out sticking the thumb in peroxide the day before was a big error. It was immersed with the bandage on and ...when the doctor removed the gauze and bandage he immediately wondered about the skin on my thumb...in some places crinkled and in other places with blister. It burned from the peroxide. And word is: peroxide is no longer recommended for wound cleansing. To shorten a longer story, I left with fresh bandaging after elevating the thumb above my heart for a long while to get it to stop bleeding. A piece of surgical skin was placed directly on the open flesh, which caused 10 level of pain, but has left me secure it is on the mend. I need to replace the lose gauze wrap daily until the skin issue is resolved. On chemo, with my immune system weakened, there are strong concerns about avoiding infection.
With all of that said, I am feeling better today mentally. Tomorrow morning will be round 2 of chemo. Ed is taking me and bringing me home and providing care in the evening. I am hugely grateful. We will share a pasta dinner tonight and I am looking forward to the company and loving energy.
Before chemo, there are preparatory pills that are taken 12 hours prior to chemo and then again at 6 hours before chemo. That means getting up at 3 am to take the 5 pills a second time. I then prep in one more way, just before arriving. I spot the port site with a cream which numbs it and place plastic wrap over it within an hour of arriving for chemo.
I have just received a call from the Cancer Society and am excited...going to pick out a wig!
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