Chemo Begins for Real

Monday I started chemotherapy.  For the most part, I did all right with it.  Probably if there was a day when I felt a little queasy, it was yesterday.  Maybe I should have taken some of my anti-nausea drugs one more day.  (Actually, this is why I am back to taking them today.)

Last week’s initial attempt to start chemo was very disconcerting, as I had been told we were on hold because of some spots appearing in my CT scan from the previous week.  The doctor wanted me to have a PET scan to see if these were signs of more trouble before doing anything, lest he need to change course.

By late afternoon, that plan had changed and chemo was on for April 9.  

I had a port put in the end of March.  It is located on the right, just below my collarbone.  I have been told that this is my new best friend because it will save on my veins.  Blood work and chemo will be done through that port.  We used it this past Friday when doing a blood draw in preparation for Monday.

My initial chemo drugs are Adriamycin and Cytoxin.  I had been told by Dr. Benjamin that these drugs are nasty.  A lot of care has to be taken when putting them in a patient's body, as they can quickly destroy tissue. 

My primary nurse is Nergiz.  She was the one who successfully accessed my port Friday for the blood work, as it was not cooperating.  She is from a place outside the USA, and I will eventually learn more about her as I return for chemo over the next few months. 

The needle that is inserted into the port is somewhat stubby and not as thin as injection needles are for shots.  So, it hurts a bit when I get jabbed.  For some reason my port does not make things 100% easy for me, as it sometimes takes quite a few tricks to get the blood return so that the nurses know we are good to go.  Monday we started out in one of the infusion rooms.  I was partially reclined so the nurse could access my port easily.  That did no work.  A few other things we tried:  lifting my right arm up over my head, turning on my side, coughing.  Eventually we moved across the hall to another room where the chair reclined even more.  No success.  So, Arlene, the other nurse taped a few things and we moved to one of the examining rooms, to a place with an even flatter surface.  Finally, we got it!

The first thing I did, once we were ready to start, was take five small pills while I was getting an initial drip that contained anti-nausea drugs and a steroid.  The pills were a combination of anti-nausea drugs as well as a steroid.  The purpose of them, and the drip, was to minimize anticipated side effects from the chemo.

Once the drips were done, Nergiz came in and carefully injected the Andriamycin and Cytoxin into my port.  The drugs were a deep red color.  Nergiz had to inject it carefully, because if the drugs were to escape the vein, there would be major problems.  After the drugs were successfully injected, then the port was flushed with saline solution.

I would say the process took maybe three hours.

Patty, who was with me again as my driver/companion, was fascinated with the process, ready to ask questions and just get a good look.

I really did not feel bad after the first infusion.  Patty and I had to stop at the drug store so I could get three prescriptions filled, two anti-nausea drugs and one steriod.  Those were to help me through the first few days after chemo.  I was told by the medical people that if those drugs did not keep me from puking, I needed to let them know.  They had other drugs they could use.  There was not reason to be sick.

Tuesday I had to return for a shot of Neulasta.  This drug helps keep my white blood cell count up.  That is key to my staying on schedule.  Side effects I have been told I can expect include aching bones and muscles.

My energy levels have been all right so far.  I have felt all right as well.  We'll see how things go as time goes on, as I know the effects of all of this is accumulating.

In the meantime, I have to decide about work -- can I  return or is my compromised immune system a problem? 
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How did it seem to me to be at this point?  Almost like it wasn't really happening.  It is an odd thought to realize that I do have a serious disease and that tough things have to happen in order to possibly have good results.  This happens to other people, not me --- WRONG!

I was a little teary-eyed for the start of chemo.  I sat in my recliner with some tissues.  I was all right, if I didn't talk; but I did want to talk with Dennis about the day.  It wasn't that I was afraid.  It's just that I didn't quite know what all to expect for the day.  I think the day was just another reminder of the reality of my situation.  It isn't going to go away -- ever.  It can be brought under control, but the threat of cancer will always remain.  I was doing all right by the time my ride came -- but I tossed in the box of tissues for just in case.