Friday, April 11, 2014

My first chemo “infusion” as they say sucked. There is not a nice word for it. The AC regimen I will be on through May is rough. My thoughts are this: never ever ever have them place your port on the same day as your first chemo treatment. Why? Even though they only gave me a “whiff” of whatever sedative it was to relax me enough to stick that thing in me, it made me sick. Apparently, I’m a lightweight. I had not yet recovered from that when we needed to go to the chemo appointment. I am so grateful that my mom and my sister, Janet, drove me everywhere that day because I would not have been able to drive safely.

My appointment for the port implementation was at 6:30 in the morning. Janet picked me up and took me to the appointment. After filling out the usual paperwork (they should seriously consider networking so that I don’t need to fill those out every time I see someone new?), the nurse helped me prep and settled before the mini-surgery took place. The radiologist introduced himself to me and asked me what kind of music I wanted…The Beatles, of course. I can’t ever think of anything else.

The mini-surgery didn’t take very long. I was back in the prep room with Janet within an hour, I believe. We had to hang out for an hour after the surgery to make sure I didn’t have an adverse reaction to anything. Scott and my Mom came to see how things were going at some point during this appointment. I started to feel nauseous as the nurse was giving me instructions for after care. I asked for something to throw up into and the nurse gave me a barf bag and soon after some anti-nausea medicine. She gave me a couple more barf bags for the road and we went home to rest until my chemo appointment at 1:30.

Like most people, I am very grouchy when I don’t feel well. I hadn’t recovered from the port implant when I was time to go to the hospital for the chemo appointment. I was annoyed that they weren’t ready for me when I arrived. We had to wait a full hour before I was able to get some attention. Apparently, they have to do a blood draw before they can prep the infusions. I also have to have a steroid and anti-nausea medicine before we can start the fist infusion – A – the red ugly one. The red one took about 10 to 15 minutes and the other one was set for 45 minutes. Finally, I received some Neulasta to help keep my white blood cell count up. The nurse was very patient with me. I was incredibly grouchy.

The lady in the chair next to me was named Jill. She was a really nice lady. She bought me a pink ribbon pin. She chatted with Janet and my mom most of the time I was there.

I remember getting into Janet’s car and Janet dropping my mom off at her car. I don’t remember arriving at home, or much of anything else until Tuesday morning when I got up and got ready for work. I have flashes of memory. I remember Janet taking my car to get the oil changed and to pick up my other wig. I remember going to the eye doctor on Saturday…kind of. I remember trying to get up Monday morning to go to work and I fell asleep in the closet. Scott woke me up and told me to go back to bed. I sent my boss a text to let him know that I wasn’t going to make it. I should go back and read what I wrote. Hopefully it made sense.

On the 18th, I went back to the Cancer Center for a mid-level appointment which means I didn’t meet with the doctor but with someone just below that. Her name is Shirley. At this appointment, they basically draw blood and take your vitals. I had lost 5 lbs. in six days and my immune system was very low. A cold right now could be a serious problem.

Today is Day 12 from my first chemo treatment. My chemo friend’s hair fell out on Sunday, her Day 12. When I woke up this morning, I gave my hair a little tug…still there. 🙂 I’m hoping to last until Saturday, Day 15. Wish me luck.