First appt with oncology

Abbie is going to be set up with what is called a broviac in the next week or two. It's sort of like an IV line that is surgically implanted into a larger vein, so that she won't have to be re-stuck every time she goes in for chemo or has to have bloodwork done. This is pretty standard for chemo patients, and I'll be grateful to not have to hold her down anymore while people poke around her veins trying to find one that works.

So, chemo treatments start this coming week or the next, depending on when they can schedule the broviac placement. We had been hoping to have a little more time before starting all of this, but her doctor feels that it is just too risky, because the tumor is so close to her breathing and swallowing centers.

The good news is that the tumor is grade 1, and her chemo treatments are going to be on the far end of low on the spectrum. So there is a chance that she will stay healthy (and keep her hair) for the entire duration. It's one of those things that we will just have to wait and see about -- she may tolerate the medication very well, or she may get some of the side effects (nausea, lethargy, weakened immunity, hair loss). There is no way to really predict it, unfortunately.

Hopefully I'll hear today about when she'll be scheduled for the broviac. It is considered a surgery, and we may need to be admitted for a day so that they can train us on maintaining it, etc. We'll see. The PA mentioned being admitted several times, but the actual doctor didn't seem to think it was a given.