Ch. 15 - Chemotherapy Begins

Ch. 15 - Chemotherapy Begins

The day finally arrived, Tuesday, November 6, 2007. I was so nervous. I took the day off from work and had to arrive at the infusion center at 9:30 am. The 2 drugs of choice by my oncologist are and will continue to be, Cytoxan and Taxotere. Although I view them as poison because they have the potential to make me very sick, but I also see them as my friends to help with my continue recovery against breast cancer. Although I was nervous, I was also excited in a way to have someone finally use my port-a-cath. It has felt like I had this big thing inserted in my chest and no one was using it. I had so many blood draws for the egg retrieval, none of which were taken from the port, and I was put under anesthesia for the actual retrieval procedure, but the anesthesiologist chose to run a IV line in my left thumb. So I is nice the the device to finally be used. When she first ran the line, I could not believe how big the needle looked that went into my port, but all I felt was the initial needle stick followed by a lot of pressure, but NO BURNING!!! I really liked that part!!!

My first dosing consisted of IV fluids, an antibiotic, and Benadryl. This concoction made me have to go the urinate, it seemed like every 15 minutes and the Benadryl made me very sleepy, but I was too nervous to sleep. I did paperwork for work, balance my checkbook, talked to Clayton and even tried to start reading a book, but the drugs finally won, and I took a nap. The infusion nurse, Josephine, told me when the chemotherapy drugs were starting, but I did not feel anything different, just continued to have to go to the bathroom due the all the fluids. I had on my regular clothes, but had to push the IV pole every time I had to go down the hall to potty. Clayton helped me each time since I was a little light-headed and sleepy, but NO FALLS, thank goodness.

The entire process took about 3.5 hours. During chemo they fed me a small lunch and made sure that I was feeling okay. Josephine told me that I may become nauseated, but to remember to take the medication that was prescribed for this and hopefully I would be fine, but if not, to give her a call. She did tell me that in about 2 weeks I would probably start to see my hair falling out or thinning, but this is a normal side effect.

After leaving the infusion center, I actually caught the last 30 minutes of a meeting at work. I was recently nominated to represent the rehabilitation department for the cancer panel at the hospital where I work. This was my first meeting and I at least wanted to make an appearance and general introduction. When I walked in, they could not believe I was there. Part of the counsel consists of my oncology team who new that I had chemo that same morning. Clayton waited for me and then I shared with him my excitement of being part of the panel. We will be meeting quarterly and I think it will be a good experience.

After the meeting, we went to the grocery store, and then home. I crashed on the sofa and the rest was history. I began to feel nauseated, but no vomiting or diarrhea. I feel very lucky and can't wait to go to sleep, having survived my first chemo!!!


Thursday, November 8, 2007

Well, the past 2 days have not been a lot of fun including indigestion and nausea with the onset of fatigue, diarrhea, and impaired concentration. My skin color is actually a little red in my face and my chest, so I will have the nurse check it out later. Most of my nursing friends tell me that I should start to feel better around next Wednesday, but for right now, that just seems way too far away, but all-in-all, I am still blessed to not have the severe side effects so far. I will keep you posted!!

Thank you for all of your thoughts, comments, and prayers!!! Clayton and I love you all!!