Chemo Infusion #1...5 to go

I was really amped up this morning. I didn't sleep well because of the steroids from last night. Then, I had to take two more prior to leaving. I was extremely anxious about what was about to happen. Luckily, I headed to acupuncture before the hospital.

Lois used acupuncture to help lower my stress level and to temper the nausea I was already experiencing. It worked! I felt like a different person after leaving her office. Todd immediately noticed how my face had calmed down.

I was well prepared and settled into my recliner, snuggled into my bamboo throw. My chemo nurse's name is Margarita. Like the drink. She is awesome. She explained what was going to transpire for treatment, reviewed potential side effects, and made recommendations for how to handle them. She included a few tidbits I didn't care for: no more manicure/pedicure through chemo because of putting feet in the tubs and possibility for infection. NO! What if I bring my own sterilizer? How will the toes survive?

Back to the skinny on chemo treatment #1. So, we started with the "A" drug. Some call it the Red Devil due to the scarlet color. She set up the IV and had to administer it manually through the tube because it is important not to let it flow too quickly. Drug "A" comes with a popsicle to keep the mouth cool. Note the photo: magazine, popsicle, ipod, Twilight journal for notes. I was all set. Not bad.

Drug 2 was "C", she walked away and allowed it to flow into my veins for an hour. It was fine. Compared to the other tests, like the MRIs and Liver Biopsy, it was a piece of cake. So far, so good.

Before I forget: got the results on the liver biopsy. Surprise, surprise: it was "non-diagnostic" meaning that they cannot say from the biopsied tissue whether it is cancer or not. Non-conclusive. So, all of that for naught. CT and PET scan, MRI with Eovist, Liver Biopsy and nothing. So, now we'll just track it on CT scan to see if it grows. I wish I'd just told them to skip that liver biopsy. I'm sure it is nothing.

By this point, I was getting cocky and sending off texts and emails about how much easier chemo was than what I've already endured. Oops.

The minute she started Drug #3 the Taxotere (T), I immediately felt my temperature escalate , saw spots swim before my eyes, and most alarmingly: my throat started closing up. Horrifying feeling. She had to come stop it, changed the drip to benadryl, followed by a clear saline. This added another 40 minutes to the treatment. She then restarted the T at a slower pace and it went okay. I sure hope that doesn't happen again.

I've got a dizzying assortment of anti-nausea, anti-fatigue drugs. One of them cost $87 for the three day dosage. Times 6. Crazy that is all the insurance covers on it because it is new.

I felt tired. We went to Swamis for an acai bowl, which was yummy. When we finally got home, lay down for a nap for a few hours. When I awoke, I walked like a newborn colt. Very wobbly and tentative. But, okay. Our first dinner delivery from Marianne arrived. Wow! It was delicious. Fresh pasta with tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, balsamic, complimented by spinach salad and sinful brownies. Yum!

Right now, just feeling sleepy and my stomach is a little bit off. Not too bad.

Return tomorrow for the Neulasta shot and am hoping I will feel fine. I may do acupuncture again to deal with the jumpy belly.

I'm glad it is over and now I know what to expect, at least for the treatments. How the next few days will unfold remain a mystery. I'm approaching it with optimism. I will get through this with flying colors. Yes.

I received two wonderful gifts in the mail: beautiful flowers from my little sis Sue and a "slanket", which looks like a big pink snuggie. I love it!! Who sent it? There was a no card.

G'night.