Riverside - day 1

Madeleine’s Blog

June 7, 2012

So do not fear, for I am with you

Do not be dismayed, for I am your God

I will strengthen you and help you

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand

Isaiah 41:10

We had a smooth drive down to Riverside yesterday and spent the night at a hotel before checking in at Kaiser hospital this morning. We were able to spend a little time relaxing (ate at the Cheesecake Factory for dinner last night and for lunch today!) before being admitted to the hospital this afternoon.

Hospital: Mom & Madeleine goofing around while waiting

A lot of the afternoon was spent with lab tests, EKG's, consultations, various nurses trying their hand at putting in an IV (had some trouble, but finally had success), hearing about all the potential side effects of the chemo drugs, and signing papers. In between all this, Madeleine tried to concentrate and get a head start on writing a 500-word essay for her summer SRJC online English class. And, a lot of the day was spent waiting...

We also had a very good talk today with Madeleine's oncologist, Dr. Gailani, and found him to be very warm and caring, and very knowledgeable. We are fortunate that Madeleine is being cared for by a doctor who has been doing this kind of specialized treatment for melanoma patients for over 20 years. Madeleine will be carefully monitored here at the hospital for 5 days, and then will be home to rest for a few weeks. 

Tomorrow morning, the intensive treatments will begin - starting first off with the placement of a "central line" into a vein in her neck so that they can safely give her the chemo drugs (Madeleine is understandably a little nervous about this). Please keep her in your prayers - that she will be able to endure all the challenges of these next days, that the treatment will be effective on her melanoma, and that the side effects will be kept to a minimum.