First Chemo Treatment - check!

Well, I can check off my first chemo treatment - done! Just seven more to go...whew.

I was nervous in the morning, but not too bad. Things went pretty smoothly, though they were very busy due to all the cancellations during the height of the flooding. Yesterday was the first day the infusion center had reopened. My appointment was at 10am.

I picked out a recliner and settled in. They had a chair right there for my "chemo buddy" Mary Ann too. It's not as luxurious as you may be picturing right now - it SURELY wasn't what I pictured, but comfortable nonetheless. Then, I met my chemo nurse - Jodi. She is fabulous!! Very kind and gentle. Explained everything as we went along. I'll spare most of the details because a) they probably aren't that interesting and b) I'm not sure how long I'll last sitting here at the computer - ha!

First you get "pre-meds". I get three different anti-nausea meds. Each one is infused separately. Once those are on board, they bring out the "big guns". My first chemo med is Adriamycin - toxic stuff. It comes in a bag and it looks like cranberry juice. The nurses have to wear all kinds of protective gear because it is so caustic. Adriamycin is the drug that will make my hair fall out, send me into menopause (thankfully just a year or two early!), give me nausea and fatigue, could cause heart problems, etc...Nice, eh? Nasty stuff for a nasty cancer.This gets pushed into my port-a-cath via syringe. The nurse literally stands there pushing it in slowly. You don't feel it really. There's an odd sensation as it goes through the catheter, but not uncomfortable - just kind of freaky.

Each time a new med was infused I got a head rush. NOT a feeling I've ever enjoyed! But, it goes away, leaving me just a little woozy. Next chemo drug is Cytoxan. That's an infusion, so they hang the bag. We're infusing mine more slowly because it causes a nasty sinus headache and if you already have sinus issues (as do I), it can be worse. This stuff causes a whole host of other side-effects too, but right now, the main one for me seems to be the headache.

After all that, I'm done! Home a little before 3pm. Felt ok going home, but as I got settled I began to feel progressively more nauseous and woozy and headachy...until...I felt like I'd been hit by a truck - YUK. You know that first day of the flu? Not the one where you think you MIGHT be coming down with something...more like the next day when you realize there's no fighting it - it's here.

Writing a blog post - out of the question. Sleep pretty much out of the question. Eating - forget about it! Did get a few hours in the recliner from midnight to 2-ish, then up to bed until 6am (Em's school wake up time). Once I got Em off to school, I relaxed in the recliner, had a piece of bread and jam and more water (lots and lots and lots of water!! I take mine with lemon oil and cranberry mixed in) took morning meds, and waited for BFF Karen to arrive to drive me to my Neulasta appt today. (I AM feeling very pampered with all these rides!)

Neulasta is the drug that builds my white cells back up. It stimulates a chemical in your bone marrow to produce more white cells. So...as it works initially, you can experience body aches - lower back, hips, sternum, neck, headache...for 3-5 days. They give it as an injection in your arm. Not bad. They warm it up first so really it didn't hurt at all. Quick process...I was in and out.

And, although I'm feeling slightly better for now, I'm fading fast. So, I'll wrap this up. One message that came through loud and clear from doctors, nurses, and those who've been there...when you feel tired - rest. DO NOT PUSH THROUGH IT!!!! Ditto for the days you feel sick. I've learned to listen (see my earlier blog post "EASE").

Those of you connected with me on Fb or via text or even email...my iPhone is always handy. I make no promises about any other kind of computer time for now. I'll update you when I can...love you all!!

xoxo
Lisa