!st Chemo treatment, and day after

[wickedwords]

Yesterday I had my first chemo treatment. I have been taking the anti-anxiety medication at night for the past couple of days, which was a help in getting me to sleep and keeping the little hamster in my head quiet.

My morning went like this:
6 am: wake up and take regular meds (crestor for cholesterol and a beta blocker)
Followed by yummy applesauce mixed with powered L-glutamine, and a chaser of vitamin B6, Vitamin D3 and Calcium
Take son to school for anime club
eat breakfast (cereal and soy milk, since I'm triple negative), and take my steroids
Work from home for an hour
Bathe, dress, and put on lidocaine cream over my port, covering it with plastic wrap.
Head off to the cancer center.

Note that there are many, many water breaks not mentioned here. I am to drink 3 quarts a day starting the day before chemo, and ending the day or so after, when I can drop back to 2 quarts of liquid a day. Because of this, I got to enjoy taking my IV with me to the bathroom a couple of times.

So Lar took me in to the center, and we were settled in an infusion room. Erika was my nurse, and she was very nice. It was the first time using the port and it went incredibly smoothly--I think they took about 7 vials of stuff, for blood work and tumor markers and measuring the level of vitamin D in my system. Then came the visit with my Oncologist Aimee, who is smart and a little geeky, and everything looked good to go. So I mimed putting on a shoulder harness seatbelt, made the little speech about keep your hands and legs inside the ride at all times, and we were off. I was loaded up with pre-meds--anti-naseau medication, benedryl, and more anti-anxiety medication, because I asked for it. I also signed the paperwork to get my flu shot at the same time, because as long as I was getting medicated, why the heck not?

For the taxotere, I got to stick my fingers in a bowl of ice, which was really freaking cold. I kept pulling my fingers out and sticking them back in, but eventually the ice melted down enough that I could just leave them in while we watched Dr. Who: the next doctor (yes, I am that far behind). It was utterly absorbing, and the time passed really quickly.

Then another bathroom break, and the next chemical was loaded, the cytoxian. It doesn't require any special stuff like the ice bath, and I was getting a little hungry and very sleepy by then. (Since it was my first treatment, it ran long, about 5 hours in total). I ate some of the animal crackers I'd brought, and tried to play a puzzle game on my DS, but my head was just too fuzzy to thing. I knew the answer, but I could not coordinate my movements to make the stylus do what I wanted. So I picked up the book I had and read a bit, and then we were finally, finally ready to go.

So home, food plus more vitamins and l-glutamine powder, this time mixed with activa yogurt. Then a nap (yay!), followed by a spaghetti dinner and more steroids. Another nap, and an episode of big bang theory, plus another anti-insomnia pill.

I slept until 6 am again, and felt really good about it. Very fuzzy and not in my own body until well into the day today, but other than my toenails already starting to look fried, I'm doing pretty okay. I had the shot to up the white blood cells this morning, so we'll have to see how it goes, and I need to pick up some fiber supplement to help round things out. I'm also drinking refresh in addition to the water to help with electrolytes. Tomorrow should be crash day 1 since I will be off the steroids. Not looking forward to that.

Comments

[bientot]

I'm so glad your first step is over, and hopeful that you'll tolerate the rest with your usual style and verve!

[laurashapiro]

I'm really glad you're doing okay with this so far.

[wolfshark]

*hugs*

May you continue as you've begun!

[gblvr]

You're handling this whole thing so much better than I would, hon.... ::hugs you::

[cereta]

Thinking of you.

[helens78]

*hugs!*

[meri_oddities]

Good to see you're doing okay so far. Let's hope it keeps up that way.

[blueraccoon]

*Hugs* You know, I make a pretty good chicken soup. If you ever feel the need for some, let me know.

[amalthia]

Hugs

[monanotlisa]

Hang in there, sweetie. You're doing great.

[rheanna]

*hugs*

TV will get you thru...

[talking_sock]

I was nodding and going "yessss" to the TV and anti-anxiety meds part of this. Good on you for knowing how to cope. Giant hugs of support.

[kass]

I am glad that the first treatment is over, and glad it sounds like it wasn't as awful as you had anticipated. I hope that trend continues. Thinking of you with so much love.

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

The boredom of chemo is equalled only by the sheer horror of having to do it. So glad you have things to watch. Just keep sleeping as much as you can, and trying to eat as well as you can -- you'll be ahead of the game. {{{{hugs you}}}}

[mlyn.livejournal.com]

Wow, I had no idea so much stuff was involved. Thank you for detailing it; makes it less scary and easier to get a handle on.

*hugs you*

[kimberlite.livejournal.com]

I'm glad things went well. It all sounds very complicated and yet obviously there's a system to it so hopefully once you know what to expect each day it will be easier to get through. *hugs*

[hafital.livejournal.com]

Thank you for writing this up. Writing it down must help put it in perspective, some. *hugs you lots*

[marthawells.livejournal.com]

Glad it went well, and thanks for going into detail about what it's like. I have an old friend from college doing chemo now too, so it's good to have some idea of what all it entails.

And *hugs*

[misspamela.livejournal.com]

Wow, thank you for sharing. It sounds like you're doing as well as can be expected! I am thinking of you.

[destina.livejournal.com]

The details are interesting, but I'm glad you're enduring so far; I'm sending you so many good thoughts.

Wishing you a calm heart

[raveninthewind.livejournal.com]

*sending you strenghthening thoughts*

[seperis.livejournal.com]

Thank you for writing it all up. I had no idea it was that complicated. Sending good thoughts and hugs both!

[mandragora1.livejournal.com]

I'd got no idea so much was involved either, particularly the need to drink water. I was thinking of you and wondering how it had gone and am relieved it wasn't sa bad as expected.

*hugs and good thoughts*

[emeraldsword.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Glad it hasn't been too dreadful so far.

[logovo.livejournal.com]

Catching up with your posts and thinking of you.

[falzalot.livejournal.com]

{{{{big honking squeeze hugs!!}}}}

[rosawestphalen.livejournal.com]

sending you hugs and love and all good thoughts

[elynross.livejournal.com]

Adding my love and hugs, and a nice picture of Duncan.