Of Lice and Men
We dropped Will off at his first weeklong, sleepover summer camp on Sunday. He lasted one night. We got a phone call Monday morning. It was the camp nurse. Will had lice. He had to leave camp and come home. Catherine had bought a cool cap at Target for Will to wear at camp. Will loved that cap. Wouldn't take it off his head. We didn't wash it before he put it on his head. That's where he got the lice.
My fourth chemotherapy session was Monday as well. Just a few hours before that, we got the news that Will would not be attending camp this week as we had planned. A huge snag. Plus, we had to delouse the house, along with Will and Gigi.
Then, another snag. The hard drive on my computer crashed. We lost all of our files. I'm typing on our brand new HP Pavilion.
On the car ride to my chemo treatment, Catherine and I got into a stupid argument, no doubt precipitated by the lice, and the camp, and the computer, and the chemo. Catherine was upset and didn't want to come in. Will was with us and I didn't want Will to come in for chemo because I know he'd get monumentally bored. Plus, when I go in for treatment, I am working. As I continue to document this journey, I am on camera for much of my visit, and had to conduct several interviews, which adds to the already significant stress associated with getting a chemo infusion.
As a result of all this, I went into chemo in an anxious and dour mood. For most of the session, I was all by myself. Some of the nurses came by and chatted me up a bit, which raised my spirits, but I really wanted Catherine there. For my other three chemo treatments, Catherine was by my side the whole way, and treatment wasn't much of a hassle. This time everything was a little off. My beautiful veins, which I've received such gushing compliments about, were suddenly not looking so big and juicy. The nurse was having a tough time finding a vein for infusion. She stuck me once, and missed the vein. Tried another spot, and struggled with getting blood return through the tube they insert into vein, but she eventually did get it pumping.
Toward the end of chemo, the nurse noticed a rash forming on my left forearm, and also on my chest. She was concerned enough about it to bring in a doctor to look at it. He said it was likely the result of the sulfa antibiotics I was taking. I've stopped taking them, but the rash persists. If I itch just a little bit, the whole area becomes bright red and bumpy, but then returns to normal after about 15 minutes. So, I'm wearing a pair of cotton gloves, trying not to scratch the itch. Makes typing kind of difficult, too.
My fourth chemotherapy session was Monday as well. Just a few hours before that, we got the news that Will would not be attending camp this week as we had planned. A huge snag. Plus, we had to delouse the house, along with Will and Gigi.
Then, another snag. The hard drive on my computer crashed. We lost all of our files. I'm typing on our brand new HP Pavilion.
On the car ride to my chemo treatment, Catherine and I got into a stupid argument, no doubt precipitated by the lice, and the camp, and the computer, and the chemo. Catherine was upset and didn't want to come in. Will was with us and I didn't want Will to come in for chemo because I know he'd get monumentally bored. Plus, when I go in for treatment, I am working. As I continue to document this journey, I am on camera for much of my visit, and had to conduct several interviews, which adds to the already significant stress associated with getting a chemo infusion.
As a result of all this, I went into chemo in an anxious and dour mood. For most of the session, I was all by myself. Some of the nurses came by and chatted me up a bit, which raised my spirits, but I really wanted Catherine there. For my other three chemo treatments, Catherine was by my side the whole way, and treatment wasn't much of a hassle. This time everything was a little off. My beautiful veins, which I've received such gushing compliments about, were suddenly not looking so big and juicy. The nurse was having a tough time finding a vein for infusion. She stuck me once, and missed the vein. Tried another spot, and struggled with getting blood return through the tube they insert into vein, but she eventually did get it pumping.
Toward the end of chemo, the nurse noticed a rash forming on my left forearm, and also on my chest. She was concerned enough about it to bring in a doctor to look at it. He said it was likely the result of the sulfa antibiotics I was taking. I've stopped taking them, but the rash persists. If I itch just a little bit, the whole area becomes bright red and bumpy, but then returns to normal after about 15 minutes. So, I'm wearing a pair of cotton gloves, trying not to scratch the itch. Makes typing kind of difficult, too.
Posted by Bill Wixey at 7/7/2009 2:56 PM 
Categories: Will, chemotherapy, cancer, lice
Tags: Will chemotherapy cancer lice
Categories: Will, chemotherapy, cancer, lice
Tags: Will chemotherapy cancer lice
Hang in there, Bill (and Catherine)! Maybe all these challenging things happened all at once so you could get them out of the way, rather than facing one, then another, and so on. You'll overcome the hard days! They sure make the good days even better, don't they? : ) Sending you good vibes, The Arbini clan
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Bill - try using cornstarch or powder with cornstarch. Great for rashes and stops the itch! Keep CLAM!
Cynthia
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It's comforting to know that life goes on - with good days and sometimes bad - no matter what kind of crap you're going through. I hope your week gets better!
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Another wrinkle in the journey, sorry to Will for missing something he was probably looking forward to, Sorry to Catherine- cannot be easy on her during this and how typical for you to argue over something trivial with something more serious staring you in the face. Keep up the faith, you have our prayers for you and your family Bill. I know you will beat this and you and your family will be closer and stronger than even before when you all come out the otherside. Keep the faith, go get em Bill! Thanks for sharing your journey, the ups and the downs.
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Bill-why don't you have an access port for chemo and blood draws?
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I didn't have a port inserted at the advice of my doctor. He said that for as many blood draws and infusions that I will be enduring, it's probably not worth another incision and another scar.
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Bill,
I appreciate your candor. This too, (arguments & lice) will pass, as I'm sure you know. Lice is the PITS even without chemo. Tomorrow is a new day and God remains in control.
In His Grace,
nancy
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You know Bill, you are entitle to have an off day; a day when things don't go as planned. It reminds us that things are normal. It doesn't make it any easier, but it is still a reminder that life goes on, as it will for you for many more years.
You and Catherine need to find some time to be alone, to cry, talk, laugh and share those feelings that are building up that don't always have a time to find a voice. See if a friend will take your son for a day or two this week and Gigi too. If not this week, then a time soon for you two to sleep in, eat pizza in bed, go for a long walk and not worry about the clock.
Peace to you my friend and God's many blessings.
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Oh, so sorry it has been a yucky week so far.....ugh, hopefully it will get better for you!
Love,
Steve and Lori and family xoxoxo
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I'm curious why you didn't get a port put in to your chest so you don't have to get the chemo straight into your arm.
That was one of the first things that was recommended to me. I was told the ABVD can burn.
Sorry to hear about your itching. Take care, and good luck!
Jason
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Hi Bill -
Please, please, PULEEZE do not ever get close to SULFA again!!! I had the simple rash and the next time I almost died -- 5 days in the hospital with anaphylactic shock. You're going through enough without having to deal with a drug allergy. Love you, Mr. Wixey, and I'm sending all good thoughts and energies your way!
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Bill ~ That's a bad day my friend! Can you spell S T R E S S ??? Breathe and count to 100....as many times as it takes
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Bill, I've been following your story and praying for a quick healing. I am so sorry about the veins. I have been with friends going through chemo and I remember watching as the nurses tried to find veins. It was hard to watch and I always felt so frustrated and wanted to somehow help them.
Thank you so much for sharing your story.
Lois
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You look great! Rick got through chemo #1 with reaction to Rituxan! Throat clamped and he almost couldn't breath! Finally the meds kicked in! Very tired today but thank you for your stories! They are most helpful! I hope you and your wife are able to relax and just "be"! Stacy
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