We got to the hospital at 1:45pm for the 2:00pm appointment. The hospital does not order the meds until the patient arrives so they can avoid waste. Once the med’s were ready we were brought into the back. Since this was the first treatment we asked for a bed instead of an infusion chair. Dr. Epner’s coordinator stopped by to see us and gave Bill another prescription. Allopurinol 300mg tablet – once a day - to clean out the kidney’s from the waste produced by the chemo.

The nurse had two attempts in the right arm to start the IV. The second nurse came in and took two attempts on the left arm and finally had success. The IV drip was started with Saline only for the first 45 minutes. After the IV was started the following pills were given:

Tylenol 1000mg, Benadryl 25mg (for allergic reactions), Zofran 8mg (for nausea) and Ativan 1mg (nausea and nerves)

Before the Cladribine is administered two nurses must verify the dosing for safety. At 5:00pm the Cladribine was started. 8mg of Caldribine, 550ml of NaCl 0.9% (Saline). 279ml/hr. The drip took two hours. Bill slept for about an hour and 15 minutes during the two hour treatment. The Saline only drip was administered for 15 minutes after the Cladribine was done. The Campath shot was last to be received. Campath is 3mg today. The second dose on Sunday will be 10mg. The third dose on Tuesday will be 30mg.

The IV port was wrapped and left in for the next treatment tomorrow.

The nurse gave us several pamphlets:
Nutrition for the person with Cancer during treatment – American Cancer Society
Sexuality for the man with Cancer – American Cancer Society
Understanding Chemotherapy – American Cancer Society
Chemotherapy and you – US Dept of Health and Human Services – National Institutes of Health
Patient drug Information – Campath (Alemtuzumab)
Patient drug Information - Caldribine

he nurse also went over some precautions such as:
No flossing – May cause bleeding
No asprin – thins the blood
No razor (electric shaver) may cause bleeding
Avoid bumping into things, easily bruise
May experience dry mouth
Avoid buffets due to contamination

We stopped at the pharmacy to fill the new prescription and pick up some food. Went back to the campground and had dinner. Bill said “today was a piece of cake”. We hope the rest of the treatment is as smooth.