Today was day 1 of chemotherapy. As I walk into the room it’s another realization of what I’m dealing with, what the others in the room with me are dealing with and an appreciation for all those that have already taken this journey. I went in with a positive attitude, it’s all I feel like I can control at the moment. Walking into the ‘chemotherapy’ room though sucked most of my good juju out. It’s a room about the size of a school classroom with recliners strategically placed so they can fit as many patients in as possible. Rows, semi-circles. Some recliners, not all, have an additional chair next to them for their guest to sit with them. It’s a tight fit. I’d say there were about 20 recliners, all but two of them filled. It made our choice easier to decide where to sit. As I look around I’m the youngest person there, by at least 15 years.
I’m so thankful to have Brian with me on my first chemo round. He asked questions I didn’t think of and we learned the process together. He is my everything and will do anything for me. As I would for him.
First things first. They need to connect to my port. So weird. It literally feels like they’ve plugged in their iphone charger. Fully charged!
They take labs and then the Dr. has to decide if everything looks well enough to receive the chemo. If labs are off, they will not allow you to get your treatment. I’m a “GO”. Next are the pre-meds. Anti-nausea, steroid and Benadryl (maybe)? They’ve also got me hooked up to a hydration bag. You think you drink alot of water? Wow… the need to stay hydrated times 10 is what’s happening here. It’s a miracle I didn’t pee my pants. After meds they start it… The “Red Devil”. Doctors call it Doxorubicin, but I prefer “Red Devil” as it’s been told me from other survivors. They call it that for the medicine color (that’s not my blood in those tubes) and also because of the side effects. This is the medicine that can cause nausea, headaches, dizziness, sores in the mouth, fever or chills, need I go on?
Up next is Cyclophosphamide (AC). Pretty much same side effects, but without the name, I guess. All things you learn. As I mentioned before, hydrating is a huge part of chemotherapy treatment. Did you know that once you have the medicine in you, you’re hydrating yourself so that you can then get rid of the toxins? Yep, that was a first for me. The first 48-72 hours is the time to pee out all the toxins and when I say ‘toxins’, I mean toxins. For example, when I pee (which was pink by the way because of Red Devil, you’re welcome for that knowledge) I need to close the toilet and fully flush twice. It’s for the safety of the rest of the family if I’m sharing the bathroom with them. I can’t help but sing the Imagine Dragons song, Radioactive, in my head every time I pee now.
For the most part everything went really well, I felt fine during the treatment. BUT WAIT!!! Just because you’re leaving the cancer center, doesn’t mean they don’t want to follow you. Yes ladies and gentlemen, before I leave I get a parting gift. They put a skin patch on my arm, kinda like a nicotine patch, without nicotine. It’s placed on my arm and then magically pricks me to install a small catheter. You heard that correct. Tomorrow, at approximately 5:00pm, which is about 27 hours from the time it’s activated, it will inject another medicine into me. This is to stimulate the growth of new, healthy, white blood cells. Seriously, can’t make this shit up. So I’m rocking a NON-nicotine patch for the next day.
Again, for the most part I feel well. I can totally drive myself to and from chemo if I want. And to be honest, it might what I want. ME.
It’s 3 hours since I finished my first treatment, I’m feeling queasy and tired with a minor headache. It’s not ideal, but if this was the worst, I’ll be fine. I have a feeling it will get worse before better and I’ll take it day by day, or hour by hour. Zofran is on-hand. Sometimes you don’t realize how strong you’ll be until you’re faced with being strong. Fu@K Cancer. Thank you for letting me share my experiences so far. Don’t forget to check your boobies.
