Well unfortunately after having two very manageable doses of chemo, I had to go back to the full regiment this week. Just like every other week we arrived at the hospital where we checked in and then the nurses proceeded to take my vitals and give me my IV. However, the most “painful” part of the day was waiting to meet with my oncologist. My dad and I had to wait for just over two hours to see my oncologist! We never mind waiting, because it just means that she is being very thorough, however it just makes the day even longer and more tedious.
Finally when I met with my oncologist she let me know that my blood counts were looking amazing. The only thing that was different about my normal examination was that my reflexes were totally gone! The previous week it because obvious that my reflexes were declining, however, this week they were totally defunct! The oncologist said that with most people they come back, however, even if they didn’t as long as I had full control over my feet then I would be fine.
The biggest thing that was different about this week’s treatment, was that my oncologist added Adivan to my regiment. Adivan is a drug normally used as anxiety medicine. However, in my situation it’s used to prevent nausea. The logic behind using Adivan is that the nausea I feel each week isn’t actually coming from my stomach, it’s coming from signals in my brain. Therefore, if I can use a drug like Adivan to calm my brain down I’m less likely to experience nausea.
Once I finally went back to the day hospital I received the Zofran first and the nurses warned me to eat my lunch before the Adivan was in my system. I ate my lunch as I was told. Next thing you knew, I was out! The Adivan put me straight to sleep! When I next woke up, the chemo was done for the day!
It was an average day, we arrived at the hospital at about 9:20 AM and left at 3:00 PM. I am very happy knowing I only have three weeks left in the intensive.
Today, the day after I had the chemo, I woke up in the morning feeling rotten. As a result, hoping to deal with the nausea, I took a Zofran and a Adivan. The Adivan caused me to fall asleep around 8:30AM and I didn’t wake up again until 2:20 PM! That medicine works wonders! I also woke up feeling much better than I was feeling when I feel asleep. Sleep is magical.
As always if you have any questions, please feel free to ask! I really appreciate all your support!
-Josh
Josh's Journey 
Josh, thank you for sharing your story with all of us. You are one brave young man. July 3rd will be here before you know it. Everyone at SCH has you in their thoughts!
-Ms. Keiser
Josh, You continue to amaze me with how well you are handling this. No matter what ailment one has a good sleep can do wonders to heal our bodies. I’m happy you are able to sleep through the treatment.
I love that you put CHOP as the background photo. You can probably experiment with cropping the photo or layering if you want the side columns to have a plain background. I’ll be around school this week so let me know if you want me to show you how to do that.
It’s also very cool that you have had visitors to your blog from 10 different countries. It’s fun to se how far your blog will reach.
Keep up the great blogging and thank you for sharing. You are setting a wonderful example of grace in the face of adversity. You rock!
Hi Josh. My review of your blog is at http://mediatechparenting.net/2013/06/18/a-thoughtful-teen-describes-his-healthcare-journey/.
Hello Josh,
I do know how you feel, even I know how pain change ppl spirit, but you my man are Brave you will carry on fully living this life despite the current situation, just matter of days till you get back to your normal life, InshAllah.