Day 0 minus 5, as they put it. Day #1 in the hospital.

The day has finally come. It has felt like a marathon the last couple days like we were packing up to move, trying to figure out what we might need/want for 3 months. Of course, Andy can get things we might need  when he goes home here and there. Monday traffic was surprisingly light this morning. Getting the new port wasn't bad but they tried to put it in the left side of my chest but there was something different about my anatomy so they had to put it along side the other port on the right. The incisions are sore but not too bad. After a nice anesthesia nap and recovery, we went to lunch at Panera and then it was time to check in. We are in a new tower of the hospital which is much cleaner and updated than where we were in July.  I especially like that the room has a normal shower, unlike the other room - it was more like an RV bathroom.  

I was taken down for a chest x-ray as a baseline, have been unpacking and organizing, have been given several meds (ugh!), weighed several times, had skin checks, rules and regs, and we just shared dinner that was a perfect amount. I am now hooked up to the IV and will have my "little friend" (the IV stand and lines) with me for the duration. We are waiting for chemo from the pharmacy and then it gets even more real. 

Andy expressed dislike of how they do vitals every 4 hours around the clock, labs at 3am, and generally don't let the patients rest when rest is so important. Oh well...I'll take naps during the day when I need 'em. The bed for the guests in the room is pretty small. We think Andy will sleep in the recliner or on the floor with the mat we brought. There isn't much else to say except I've been in good spirits. Thanks for thinking of me, all the prayers, and for caring enough to read my ramblings. 

As much as I sometimes want to feel sad about all that this entails, I am always reminded how fortunate I am to be going through this right now. We have fantastic insurance making this whole thing minimally painful, financially. The hospital is nice and I actually have a view of the Rockies and Denver. The people are so nice; I love the show called Call the Midwife, which often shows how patients, especially the poor and women, were treated in the past. The people I have met have been nothing but delightful. And so much of medicine is made very comfortable when it could be otherwise.  I am very thankful. 

And I am absolutely pooped tonight. So I'll sign off with another thank you - for the love, the prayers, and all the thoughtfulness shown by so many! xoxo 

BTW, a few people have asked for the address where I'm at. Please remember - no flowers or plants on this floor. Thank you, Pam - for the wonderful silk sunflowers! 

The address: 

Catherine Shaffer, Patient-Room 11335

c/o UC Health University of Colorado Hospital 

12605 E. 16th Ave.

Aurora, CO 80045

This is way too small for my hubby! 

At least this reclines. 

A real shower! 

So many sweet treasures to brighten the room. 

And here is "My Little Friend." 

It got real when they hooked me up, 

realizing this will be at least 3 weeks together.