Chemotherapy: Round 1

Today started out like a lot of days: my alarm didn’t go off, and instead of getting up at 7, we were up at 8. We rallied quickly and made it EARLY.

First up is the blood draw. I opted for my arm – the nurses were very curious about this. The nurse at Mercy where I got my port placed told me I should do an arm draw while I still can, due to the port only being able to take so many pokes. Well, we’re not gonna opt for that again.

We waited a bit for the labs to come back. Then around 10 we got into our room.

I asked about lidocaine for the port poke – of course, this is not what they give you. They give you is a prescription for some cream you have to leave on for an hour BEFORE getting the needle. So that got ordered for next time. This time, the nurse gave me a bag of ice. Worked pretty good. I barely felt anything, so that was great.

The port shirt that was on the Amazon list came in handy. The cloth is there to save the glue still on my incision (so it wouldn’t get ripped off). The nurse said the area was still a little swollen but really no problems with it today.

Once the port needle was placed, I got the pre-chemo doses. First up was 2 Tylenol. Then Benadryl – twice the normal dose for nighttime cough meds and then administered via IV. It didn’t make me drowsy, just relaxed. Then were the two nausea meds, both IV drips.

Around 11 I think I got my first drug – perjeta. Or whatever. one of the targeted therapies. What they do is load you up for this one – you are basically getting a double dose, so it’s 60 minutes the first time, 30 minutes the next. Then the Herceptin. I didn’t feel weird or any different during these. It’s just a lot of waiting around. I had this giant ass water bottle that had me up every hour to pee, but that was fine. Hydration is good.

We’re having some weird issue with my NEW van – the key isn’t registering with the car, so it won’t turn on! The battery isn’t supposed to be near dead but WHAT THE F*CK. Why now!? The dealership wasn’t helpful while Becky was desperately trying to get the van to start so she could pick up our lunch order (and coffee!). It started…eventually. Another thing to get checked out.

The third drug is the most toxic – the Taxotere. The nurse sat in for 10 minutes to make sure I didn’t have a reaction. Symptoms include a huge hot flash/flush come over you and shortness of breath. This went by without any side effects. I did start to feel warm/sweaty during this once and for a bit afterward once we got home. Some sinusy symptoms like my eyes wanted to water. My stomach hurts but I also drank 128 oz of water.

I don’t remember what the final chemo dose was, but that was fine. Then they flush you out with saline and a cleaner for the port itself. Then you’re out!

Aside from being tired (this seems like a normal tired) with a slight stomachache, I’ll call this a win.

We learned lots of things from the main nurse. Like why cold caps and sucking on ice cubes only work when you take them well before AND after chemo. So glad I opted out of that. That’s just extra stress for me. We also learned about the shot I’ll be getting tomorrow at 3:45 – Neulasta. Helps with the creation of white blood cells.

Then next week, I’m back in for a toxicity check. If I’m good there, then they’ll schedule my next chemo session.

In the meantime, I’ve got my notebook dedicated to tracking symptoms and home remedies that work or don’t. Feeling pretty good that it’ll be manageable on some level.

Felt lots of love today, from new IRL close friends to seeing all those taco shirts show up today. It made me feel stronger.

Fingers crossed nothing unexpected happens in the next 3 weeks!