The Red Devil - October 28, 2010



The Red Devil



Today's treatment began at 10 with the administration of some fluids. Because Adriamycin (aka Doxorubicin and nick-named "the Red Devil") is a vesicant and can destroy muscle, skin and any other tissue if it leaks out of the vein, D was very concerned with getting a good blood return from the port. After some mild resistance initially, Pete's port decided to finally behave and she managed to coax it into giving up the blood readily. After the infusion began, D came in several times and checked to see that all was well at the port site.

Dr R and A came in and checked on Pete shortly after we arrived. He palpated the areas on Pete's legs where the masses are located and was quite happy that they are so small that they are almost impossible to feel.



DogNY, similar to the Cows
a few years back



Pete slept most of the day. It was an absolutely beautiful day though quite windy. I took advantage of the weather and went for 2 walks, one in the morning about 2 miles just walking city streets, and again in the afternoon over to Hudson River Park, about 4 miles.

I ran across the dog on my morning walk. It was a few blocks south of the hospital in the shadow of a huge building that still bore the "St Vincent Medical Center" logo. The wall with the inscription is along the Hudson River walk. I had passed by there several other times, but I don't recall ever seeing it before. When I researched it, it turned out to be the NY city AIDS memorial. The words are from "Vem kan segla", a Swedish folk song.



"I can sail without wind, I can row without oars,
but I cannot part from my friend without tears."


Pete finished up the last hydration bag around 4:30 and was sent home once again hooked up to another 2 liter bag. Tomorrow we go back, but there will be no chemo, just hydration, and if his bloodwork numbers look good he may not have to go back on Saturday. We'll find out when those results come in.