Thanks so much for remembering that today was my first chemo. I appreciate all of the calls and emails!
Two of my most favorite people came with me to the session, Pookie and Martha. We had the most fun chemo cube in the joint! We played Scrabble and laughed. See the scrabble intensity on the two of them! ;)
Thankfully, the actual treatment didn't hurt. It was pretty interesting during the "pre-treatment" drug drip, when they gave me Benadryl and a bunch of other things. The Benadryl has a side effect of sleepiness. I could feel it affect my head, and my tongue felt like it was on a time delay long-distance call...about a second behind my thoughts. It was kinda funny.
After the first drip, which took a half hour, they started the Taxotere. After that, the Cytoxan. All said, we were there for four hours, and Pookie kicked our butts at Scrabble. He's king of the triple word score.
I ate popsicles and ice cubes throughout the session, and have been loading up on Lysine, in hopes to stave off mouth sores.
Tomorrow I go back to get a shot of Nulasta, a drug that strikes fear in people, cause it is supposed to make your bones hurt like a bitch. Of course, as with most side effects, this happens to some people, and not to others. I'm planning on being 'one of the others.' I have to get one of these shots the day following each chemo treatment.
Nulasta spurs growth in bone marrow, which stimulates rapid production of white blood cells. This altering of the rate of white cell creation causes the bone pain. Oh, and the shot itself is not supposed to be much fun, either. The reason for this is that chemo kills off a ton of white blood cells, and you need them to fight off infection during treatment. I'm going to load up on Advil and weed cookies to get me through the next few weeks. (and the 5 other drugs that they gave me, as needed)
Emotionally, this week has been a toughie. After giving it some thought, I think it might have something to do with some sort of confirmation that comes with each treament step along the way that I actually have cancer. Maybe it's some kind of delayed reality check. It's not that I'm any more scared of it, but some other demons have been creeping up. It's like a cauldron of ingredients that are swirling around. On an average day, you deal with each ingredient that goes bad. When everything else is weighing on you, and you feel vulnerable, it makes dealing more challenging.
That said, today was a really good day, and I feel back to my normal self. It was a happy day, and I feel terribly loved. And I thank you so much for that. Really.
More soon...
love love love love love K
Congrats on the 1st Chemo Session - not as bad as you thought - YEAH!!
ReplyDeleteFYI - I didn't have any bone pain from the Nulasta at all though out my treatment. I actually gave the shot to myself the day after my chemo - no big deal really. If you can do it at home it saves a trip to the Doc - you might want to ask about it, if it's possible for you.
You are lucky that the Benadryl makes you sleepy - it makes me sooooooo hyper . I could use it to propel me though my next endurance event....
Check with your Chemo nurse about the Advil - they may not want you taking Ibuprofen as it messes with platelet counts. I was told not to take it and use Acetaminophen instead.
Keep up the good spirits - have a fun Chemo team of friends makes it easier - I to always had friends with me for my sessions!
Jill
(Annette's Big Sis)