The Buddy System

Chuck did very well sleeping with his "other" buddy last night. (And I can hear some of you asking yourself if I'm jealous. In a word - NO. There's only one thing the buddy can do that I can't and that is help shrink the tumor.) NO BEEPS! NO BELLS! NO WHISTLES! NO ALARMS! WHOO HOO! Of course, it could just mean that it was still so new to him that he was unconsiously being more careful. We'll see how it goes tonight and in the weeks to come.

The other hurdle will now be showering. We still need to work the kinks out of this activity. You see, our shower is not connected to a tub so he just can't hang his buddy out to dry over the edge. So, we're thinking that he'll need to hang him on the towel rack on the outside of the shower and hope the tubing won't stragle anyone/thing. Practice will make perfect.

Just had a thought: I'm referring to his buddy as a male. Maybe Chuck's thinking of it as female! Hummm.....if it's the latter I might have to "nip this in the bud" as Barney Fife would say.

The whole mediport system is quite neat. I'm sure the actual site will look better once the swelling and bruising goes away. Then there's all that tape - white not red! (If it were me, I would have such an allergic reaction to the tape that I would be iching all the time - so glad it's not me!) While it's red (skin not tape), Chuck doesn't seem to be complaining - yet. There are two sections of tubing from the port site to the pump with three yellow clamps in all that all need to stay open.

Claribell will draw blood from this site every Monday to check white cells before she sets Chuck up for his weekly 96 hour chemo dose. A port is a much better way of repetitive IV uses than to keep sticking needles in the arm. Talk about needle marks up and down! Not to mention the potential damage to veins with repetitive poking. Kind of like - one stop vein shopping!

I'm sure you've all seen the bags of antibiotics or saline solution hanging on the "trees" by hospital beds (either in person or on some hospital show - ER, Greys Anatomy, House, General Hospital...) or being wheeled around as dancing partners when a trip to the bathroom is needed. Chuck has his own little "bag" in his fanny pack set up to the pump/tubes. I really had never seen one so tiny and more amazing is the fact that it has stuff in it that would last 96 hours! The other advantage to the fanny pack - I can be the dance partner!

We told McFly about his nickname and all of the Michael J Fox sightings and music coincidences that lead up to last Wednesday. When we were done giving him the short story version, I think he felt honored that we named him after someone that has been such an inspiration. We have been so blessed with the doctors, nurses and medical support staff working with us in getting Chuck well. I also want to thank you all that have read, commented, and talked with either Chuck and/or myself during these last few days. It is humbling knowing that so many people care and have Chuck in their thoughts and prayers. Please don't stop as we are just at the beginning and there's still a long way to go. Please know that we do appreciate all you are doing for us!

Anyone working on a cheer we can use?? Suggestions anyone??