Toxicity Check

I’ve been hanging in there. It’s been kind of a rough week but I’ve been mostly on top of my symptoms.

Today I went in for a toxicity check – yeah, they want to make sure the chemo isn’t killing me.

Got blood taken from the port, which is a HELL of a lot better than from the arm. Had an enjoyable chat with the lovely nurse and then waited for a while to meet with another lovely nurse, who prescribed me a few things and then set the next round.

Now let me impart the wisdom that the chemo nurse gave me: LISTEN TO YOUR DOCTOR.

There are a lot of things that could go wrong when you’re on chemotherapy. And I’m on four drugs, not one. So when I got those giant chemo binders that outline all of the side effects of each of those four drugs, I preemptively do the things so I might prevent those symptoms. Things like, drink a shitton of water. Monitor eating patterns and heartburn. Lay down when I’m feeling really tired. Eat when I’m hungry. And you’re damn right I’ll do anything the doctor says to make it easier or better.

The nurse told us that she sees a lot of women in their 30s doing great through everything is because they are proactive and LISTEN rather than waiting 80 years to see a doctor. A lot of older folks didn’t listen, didn’t want to listen, and then have a hard time dealing with treatment.

So take it from the cancer patient – and the nurse who’s seen it all – JUST GO TO THE DOCTOR. Actually DO the things they tell you. I mean, they’re telling you things for a reason.

The nurse also told us that 7-10 days after my infusion is when I’ll be the most vulnerable – this is when my white blood cell count is at its lowest. I’m more likely to get colds, germs, the COVID.

Then I should perk up around day 14, to get knocked down again for infusion #2.

In the meantime, I’m still getting over this damn cold from the kids (I do not have a voice).