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Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Pesach Preparations

I am not talking about cleaning here.

I am talking about scheduling chemo.

Especially now, when I get chemo every week, I have less room to play around.

With my previous chemo (Navalbine/vinorelbine), I had greater flexibility. My blood counts were always good, so if I needed to, I could receive my treatments up to two days early.

Not so with the Taxol.

I can only receive treatments up to one day early.

Since I receive treatments on Thursdays, there is no option to receive treatments one day later. The oncology day ward is closed on Fridays and, of course, on Saturdays as well. (Hospitals in Israel are open and function on Shabbat, but only for things that cannot wait)

So, between my not-so-new-anymore treatment and my not-so-new-anymore chemo day, I am much more limited.

This year, the first day of Pesach falls out on Wednesday evening and Thursday. (Jewish days begin with nightfall on the previous day, and end with nightfall)

Most institutions in Israel give off for the day before a holiday, as well as the day of the holiday. Thus, the oncology day ward will be closed on both Wednesday and Thursday.

Since I can only move my chemo up by one day at a time, I had to plan in advance.

So, my Pesach preparations included scheduling chemo for this week on Wednesday, so I could receive chemo next week on Tuesday!

Phew! (just thinking about it all makes me tired!)

My next chemo day will be on my regular schedule: the Thursday after Pesach, Isru Chag (“the day after”), which is a regular day for most of the country, but is still a holiday from school kid.

I hate having chemo when the kids are still home, but at least it is after Pesach.

The nice thing about all these Pesach preparations is that I will have all of Pesach off. (YAY!)

V’Samachta B’Chagecha! (“And you will rejoice on your holiday!”)





Please daven (or send happy, healing thoughts) for RivkA bat Teirtzel.

With love and optimism,
RivkA

6 comments:

Cheryl Pitt said...

Yikes! What an ordeal. I'm glad you can work your way through it!

rickismom said...

I don't understand that they can have so many days off in a row! Wasn't like that when I was a nurse......You theoretically got the days off, but not necesarily on the calander date!(ie, you might get "erev Pesach" off as an extra day chofesh in chol hamoed....)

rickismom said...

But its nice you don't have to go in on Pesach!

Melissa said...

RivkA,

You will continue to be in my prayers.

Just keep thinking about Pesach. It will be a nice reprieve.

Melissa

Robert J. Avrech said...

Pesach prep is an ordeal for even the strongest and healthiest. Chemo is, at best, brutal medicine.

We can only stand back and admire your powers of endurance.

Chag Kasher V'sameach.

RivkA with a capital A said...

Cheryl -- who said I can work my way through it?

Ricki's mom -- my impression is that the entire hospital is on reduced staff as of Wednesday. I think it's nice that the hospitals function according to the Jewish calendar. I wouldn't want to come in for treatment on Erev Pesach! (I'm glad it's not an option)

The oncology day ward is open on Chol HaMoed, it just works out for me that I don't need to go then.

Melissa -- Thanks! I just have to finish what needs to be done in the next two days, and then I will definitely enjoy my repreive!

Robert -- You are too kind! What powers of endurance? The only powers I have are of procrastination!!