Tuesday, April 20, 2010 – Is anyone familiar with the Lord of the Rings, specifically the second of the three movies, The Two Towers? A big part of that movie is the Battle of Helms Deep. King Theoden has all his people evacuate to a fortress called Helm’s Deep knowing there would be a big battle to come and they would have a better chance against the enemy there than out in an open battle. The hope was to be able to hold off the enemy long enough until help arrived to have any chance of victory in the end. The King did not know what all would take place in the battle, how many lives would be lost, or from where any help would come. But he knew he had to face the battle head on. At the start of the battle, Theoden, says “So it begins.” (Copy & paste this link to see it.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_gst-Ryh3g Ultimately, help did arrive at Helms Deep and the battle was won.
I know it is not a perfect analogy, but that is in a small way what the beginning of the treatment for Kellee seems like. The start of a long battle where, yes the goal is victory, but the treatment battle we (I say we, but mostly he) must get through to achieve victory will be long and the most of the steps ahead are uncertain. There will casualties along the way (hair loss), possible nausea, etc. but we are confident the tumor will be defeated! Because we know help has, and will continue to arrive through the prayers of family and friends as the battle progresses. God is good and He has already guaranteed victory for His people.
We left Pella in plenty of time and dropped the van off in valet parking so were at the Radiation Therapy area before 8:30 am. The guy behind the counter said as we walked up, “Kellee, you’re back, they’ll be ready for you shortly.” Sure enough, Kellee hadn’t even sat down in the waiting room yet and a nurse came out to get him. The first treatment was complete and he came back out at 8:58 am. It didn’t take long at all. Kellee said after the first few weeks it will go even quicker because now they are giving treatment to the brain and spine and when they move to the brain only, those treatments should not take as long. The valet parking was slick and will be a blessing to not have to pay for parking everyday we go for the treatment! So far Kellee has no side effects. We are staying in Iowa City tonight at Beth and Mike’s place.
While Kellee & I were at lunch he said he was hit with a bit of a cold when he woke up this morning. One of the things he was thinking about while lying on the radiation table, all strapped in and not able to move was “what if I have to sneeze?” Another thought was, “what if I get sick?” He said he is going to have to work out some kind of signal to the nurses for just such an emergency.
I was working upstairs and Kellee was doing a 3 hour power nap in the basement. At 5:07 I received this text from Kellee, “Could you get me a Zofran and some water? Thanks! I’m in the bathroom.” I ran and got those items and brought them downstairs and met Kellee as he was coming out of the bathroom. He said he woke up and felt a strong rumbly in the tumbly! It turned out he did not actually get sick, but he did not feel real well. Later after we ate, (he didn’t eat much) while we watching some American Idol, Kellee said he thinks he will continue to take the Zofran every 8 hours as recommended instead of just 1/2 hour before the radiation treatment and/or as needed. Probably a good idea. We will see how the rest of the night goes.
