Bananas

It is after 5 p.m. and we are going bananas. We have just returned from the Huntsman center. We were on the road by 7, so it has truly been a long day....long enough that Shea went straight to bed and is sleeping. When we arrived at the Huntsman, we had the opportunity to talk to several of Shea's 'teams'. There was the team in charge of the clinical trial, the colorectal team, the oncology team and the newly formed find a wheelchair/warm blanket/entertainment team (me). It was determined that Shea has a problem maintaining her potassium levels and maintaining/gaining weight("Surprise, surprise, surprise" said in a Gomer Pyle imitation....and if you don't know what I'm talking about...you are too young and so you should bring me brownies as penance for your youth). After drawing 7 vials of blood...yes 7...we were escorted to a chair where Shea spent the rest of the day receiving a saline/potassium solution infusion. She was also required to take an oral potassium supplement, as well. She was told there were two types...a really, really big pill that you only need one of or 4 smaller, coated pills. Since her throat is sore, she opted to take the 4 smaller, coated pills. Imagine our surprise when the nurse brought us 4 electric blue torpedoes that Shea was expected to kack down while maintaining her grace, beauty and dignity. I'm not sure how big the single pill would be, but I know you would have to be a sword swallower to be successful with that one (and if you need to try, will you call me because I really want to see the attempt). Shea gathered all of her mental will together and with a little help from some cranberry juice, she emerged victorious...Shea 4, potassium pills 0. To help get her ready for this weeks chemo treatment, she will be receiving a saline/potassium infusion daily here at home. They will re-check the blood on Friday and see if all of these measures are working. They will also reduce her dosage of the RAD-001 to see if that is maybe contributing to the problem. We were told...more leafy green veggies, cream of wheat and you guessed it...bananas. Fingers crossed (and all my toes)it will work.