Well, today was my first day of Chemotherapy. I was really nervous going into it. I thought I was well prepared, and had pretty much resigned myself to the fact that this was going to happen and there was no way around it.
However, as the day approached, I was more and more nervous. I was able to finally get Damon squared away with the Briggs' from church, and was able to "worry" about myself. I was able to get Vicki Main to come with me and be my support. It turned out well - just having her there was a comfort, and she was great company - we had some nice conversation. It was all over before I knew it.
I was not really worried about the drug side effects right now - I knew that I wouldn't start expreiencing any side effects immediatley . . . . I was worried about pain and needles and contraptions during treatment at the center. I'm a huge baby !
They were great - I got a glimpse of everyone there at the center, and I was pleased to find out that regardless of the denomination, the Nurse that administers the treatment was a Christian, and from what she said, I could tell that she was very strong in her faith. That's very reassuring. I've also noticed things that point me that direction when I look throughout the office - Crosses, inspirational poems, etc. As Denise Visingardi had told me after our first visit to that office, it's comforting to know that the staff/Doctors/Nurses are "along that line". I guess God "hooks you up" with His people when you need it most!
I was only "stuck" once for the treatment itself. The Nurse said "First thing I'm going to do is access your port with an L-shaped needle." Vicki and I turned to each other with wide eyes - "What ?!?! I didn't even know they had L-shaped needles." I think we were both expecting that sucker to be as big around as my thumb, and about 3-4 inches long ! However, it was barely the length of my "short" nail bed, and was very small indeed. It was less painful that just getting stuck for a small shot. *Whew* ! She hooked me up to the various meds by hooking tubes to other tubes . . . . first I got Sailene solution, then an antibiotic, then an anti-nausea medication to try to help with nausea. I then got the first Chemo drug. The only "effect" I experienced in the office was the feeling of an oncoming, dull sinus headache. I asked her if any of the meds caused headaches - she said that this particular chemo drug tends to go directly to the sinus cavity first. . . . but the sensation would go away when she was done administering the drug. (Kind of like the shot that stings while the meds are going in, but doesn't hurt afterwards). That wound up being the case, and I was fine following that drug. I also received 2 shots - 1 was "Lupron" which is supposed to protect my Ovaries. I do eventually want to have Children again, and this is my best defense against the Chemo "frying" my Ovaries and making that impossible down the road. The other was a "deep shot" that was supposed to make my bone marrow produce more blood cells in order to help with serious fatigue. This is a "given" side effect - but this med is supposed to keep me from being totally Lethargic - and unable to lift my head or get out of bed. Sounds like the fatigue is still going to be MAJOR, but I'll at least be able to function to some extent and move around, etc.
Then she hooked me up to my 2nd Drug - this is the "bad" one . . . . they have a name for it - "The Red Devil". Ugh !!!! This is the one that has to be administered over 72 hours due to toxicity to the veins and heart. I currently have a "new friend" (I don't have a name for it yet - suggestions would be helpful !) HA ! I'm hooked up to a little pump about the size of a large fanny pack that I have to carry everywhere I go. It's kind of interesting getting used to it. On Monday, I will return to the center and have this removed - then she will hook me up to my 3rd and final drug for this treatment. It will take about 2 hours. Then I'll be "friend free" until next time!
Like I said, the treatment session itself was not as scary as I thought it would be. I don't see my self "requiring" accompaniment in the future - since I know what to expect, etc. However, I would love the company from time to time if anyone would like to join me! Just let me know!
I don't have any side effects - well, I have a couple . . . I've experienced the dry mouth, the metallic taste in my mouth, and a few nausea twinges. I've also experienced shortness of breath from doing little things - going up the stairs once, talking on the phone, walking down the hall to the bathroom, etc. I find myself having to stop and take deep breaths from time to time.. . . . .but nothing major. Of course, I don't have all the drugs in my system yet. She said that administering the 2nd drug over time would not help me "escape" the side effects, but it would delay the onset - we're going from onset of 6-10 hrs. from the start of treatment stretched out to about 24-48 hrs. from the start. So, it delays the side effects - doesn't lessen the severity of them,etc. To give you an idea of how slow this thing is. . . . I've had it set up since 12:15 on Friday . . . it's Saturday morning, and I've only received 34.5 ml of the 145.8 ml they are administering. SLOW PROCESS !
So, here I am - no major effects to report yet - I'm sure they're coming sometime! But, I'm hanging in there.
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Oct. 8, 2004