Well, I survived my first treatment. I had to be at MDACC at 8:00 AM for a blood test, and a Dr's appt. at 8:30. I signed up for a clinical study that involves an extra biopsy before and after my first treatment, and a case study to see if yoga helps cancer patients deal with Chem better. I was there till 12:00.
Went back at 4:30, with my daughter driving. Checked in and waited. Appointment was for 5:00, but they didn't call me in till 5:30. Because this was my first time, and my port hadn't been used before, they had to get a specially trained nurse to put in the line. They didn't get her there till 6:30. BOY did that HURT!!! She dug around for what seemed like 5 minutes, but was probably more like 30-60 sec. She kept saying "relax your arm", while I was trying to keep from reaching over with my other arm and knocking her on her ass!
When she was finally done and had taped everything down they gave me my pre-meds. Basically, steroids to minimize side effects. This took about 30 min. Then came the main event. 180 ml of toxal administered over 60 min. Meanwhile they had a blood pressure cuff on my other arm and took my pressure and temp, about every 30 min. This took till about 8:40. they then had to flush out the cath. with saline, and then heparin, to keep it clear for next time, then removed the damn thing. That hurt too, but was over quickly. They gave me the name of a numbing cream I can request for next time, so it won't hurt so much.
We were home by 9:30. I don't feel bad, just tired. The side effects are cumulative, and will get worse as we go along.
Tomorrow, I go in for a class on Chemo, and a EKG as well as a repeat biopsy.
I'm going to have a slice of cheese cake, and go to bed.
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4 comments:
Is cheesecake recommended therapy? You go girl! Live it up!
But of course! (Rolls eyes) The one plus of this experience is that I'm going to be able to lose the 50 # I've been struggling to lose for the last 10 years, and I'll lose my sense of taste in the bargain, so, until that happens, I'm indulging in all my favorite treats I've been denying my self.
Your port shouldn't hurt that much - request someone else next time, until you find a nurse who can do it right!
Eat as much as you want, when you want, =-) Chemo is a serious drain on your reserves. Towards the end of the treatments, you'll be really tired and thin, and if you have the pounds to lose, you'll be in much better shape than a skinny minnie, =-)
And remember, fat can boost seritonin, so when you're feeling a little blue, I recommend in addition to cheesecake, lots of butter and cheese and steak, and the skin off the rotissery chicken, and ice cream, and and,.... LOL!
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