let the chemo begin!

2day was my first chemo treatment....i was due 2 meet with the doc (a new one, since my homeboy oncologist was only there on a 4 week rotation ~sob~) @ 9:20am - but i could tell from the moment curtis & i got there, that they were busy! we didn't get called back until 10am! but i'm used 2 waiting at the cancer center....i was there almost every other day for a while, and i always had to wait....the doc was nice, and seems to have a fun sense of humor (which i totally appreciate!)....she ran down the usual with me, made sure i understood what the plan was & had me sign my consent forms

then, we went into a "support room" 2 watch a video called "understanding chemo"....it went over all the side effects that one may experience, talked about how important a positive attitude & family/friend support is, blah, blah....it was a good vid, except it looked like it was made in the early 80's ~teehee~

curtis & i paid attention & even learned a few things, but i joked that maybe we should just shut it off & make-out ;0)


after the vid, my chemo nurse carol came in & explained all the meds 2 me - i get 4 in all....she ran down what each one was, all it's side effects & everything i need to watch for and/or notify the docs about...


meds given intravenously during chemo:

-andriamycin - red in color & even turns ur pee red (yay! lol) - takes about 20 min

-vinblastine - takes just a few min

-bleomycin - takes 20 min

-DTIC (darcarbazine) - the serious stuff, takes an hour+ & can burn/block ur veins, so it is diluted with salene...if my veins do well, i won't need the catheter put in my chest & can just keep getting an IV in my arm 4 each treatment...so far, so good

not counting the delays/back-up in the cancer center, the actual chemo took just about 3 hours....and from here on out, i have to come in & have blood taken, then meet with the doc, then have the chemo = about 4 1/2 to 5 hours total each treatment (without waiting, which i know will happen too!)

i learned about a few more fun side effects 2day too! wanna hear all i may or may not experience as a result of the chemo?

-most seriously - low blood counts....i'll get my blood checked weekly to monitor for too low of levels....i'm already at a high risk of infection - i have to b diligent about washing hands & staying away from sick people (ha, do they know i have 3 kiddos?!)....and if i get a fever over 100.5 degrees, i have 2 call the cancer center right away - day or night....because if i get a bug, my body can't fight it off as well & they need 2 treat me ASAP....but low white blood cells mean even more risk of infection, low red means low platelets, so more difficulty clotting...we also have 2 watch out for anemia

-nausea/vomiting & loss of appetite - i thought i was getting off easy on this one....i was a lil queasy & dizzy on my way home, but made it thru the rest of the eve fairly well....i ate a moderate dinner, but it felt like a rock in the pit of my stomach....then i was dozing off on the sofa (uploading pics 4 this post & the holiday pic marathon one) and suddenly woke up at almost midnight to hurl - ugh! (started these posts early this eve, but not actually publishing till almost 1am) i popped one of my nausea meds & felt much better - but then threw up again 10 minutes later....now i'm not sure if i threw up the med, can i take another pill (to take as needed, but not more than every 6hrs)?? ugh! one good tip they did give, was 2 lay off ur fav foods - cause if u're throwing them up, chances r they won't b ur favs any more! ~lol~

-loose stools, constipation, stomach cramps (double yay!)

-sore mouth/throat or even sores developing in the mouth - super ugh!

-hair loss (was told i'll start thinning after this treatment & then it will all quickly go after my next treatment) - this one, i'm ok with

-taste changes - no biggie

-fatigue/muscle weakness - the most common & overwhelming side effect (triple yay!)

-there's tons more that sound super fun (skin irritation, nails becoming dry/yellow/cracked, intimate dryness, the list goes on - but these above r what r what's most common with the meds i'm taking)

so, i went from being someone that NEVER takes meds, to having 4 prescriptions now - 2 are nausea meds i took during chemo 2day & will take 2moro & wednesday (one costs $165 for 4 pills! thank God for insurance!)....then a 3rd nausea med that i mentioned earlier - for whenever i need it....and the 4th is one i talked about in an earlier blog - to prevent me from getting gout or kidney stones (the dead cancer cells raise the uric acid level in my body & this med helps lower that)

i'm still optimistic & trying to keep a positive attitude - but i HATE being sick! especially throwing up! trying not to complain, but dang - this sux!!!

i go back next monday 4 the blood work, then the following monday 4 my next treatment....and then, every other monday thru april (with PET scans here & there - and radiation at the tail end)

once again, thx 4 all the love & support flying my way - and most of all, thx 4 keeping me & my fam in ur thoughts & prayers!

xoxoxox,
sharon