A Post in Pictures, Chemo #1

Today was my first chemo treatment at 10am.

I met Tammy and April, the nurses.
Tammy was my nurse.

After about 10 minutes in the facility, guilt overcame me.
The first time I came to the facility when I was diagnosed and meeting my oncologist, Dr. Cotant, I didn't like the atmosphere. It was cold and depressing. It had no windows either.
I actually asked Dr Cotant if there was another place I could have my treatment, he looked at me like I had 2 heads. No fault of him at all.
I am ashamed of myself for my initial thoughts. I mean I do have cancer, and no windows are going to make that go away, so to some degree, yes I suppose my initial thought was me still dealing with the reality of my cancer.

BUT Today...

I was whistling Dixie. I feel comforted. Tammy, my nurse is fresh and bright. She is very good at informing me of all the information and procedures she was doing. 

My biggest concern was getting shot in my port. She would be putting it through my skin. I just didn't know what to expect. 

It was a piece of cake!

Once the port has the poke they begin to administer 4 drugs BEFORE the chemo:

1. Aloxi 250 mcg anti nausea 
2. Adivan .5mg anti nauseas
3. Decadan 5mg steroid
4. Cinvanti 130mg Anti nausea 

THEN...AC: The Red Devil

By the time they slipped me my chemo about 20 minutes had passed and I was DROWSY!

Feeling a little bit drowsy...

Andy sat with me coloring.  I really wanted to play a game, 5 Crowns. It didn't take much to talk him into that. Before we played mom and dad showed up. Mom joined in. 

The chemo was no big deal, my speech was slurring and they were making fun of me. I laughed but I didn't like that feeling.  

Playing cards took my mind off it.

After the Chemo was finished, I still had one more procedure, my Neulista, its a bone morrow stimulant to help your body produce more white blood cells. Originally, my insurance didn't cover this 6000$ drug that is part of my treatment, but thankfully their office worked their magic. You can see how it is a small bubble. It stays on my skin for 27 hours and administers the drug through a very tiny catheter that was poked from the bubble. Seriously, some major scifi stuff. 

HOLY CRAP that poke hurt. I squealed, then laughed. It feels like someone pulls back a rubberband and nails you.

It was close to 1 by the time we left. We set up my next 3 appointments and headed home.

I just wanted to lay down. Andy made me lunch, roasted chicken breast, cheese slice, hummus, and berries.

Andy must have snapped a picture while I was cashed out!

I ate and cashed out. I woke up trying to scramble. I had XC to go to. 

And after that I was heading to Fenton. Our AD, his daughter plays soccer for Fenton and today was their breast cancer awareness game.  Macy was playing in my honor. It was the sweetest thing. My heart was melted.

Macy Melero and I, so sweet. 

It was almost 7 pm by the time I got home. My head was hurting and my belly was flipping. 

Andy was so excited for dinner, Claudia and Rachel made us meals. Tonight was Tacos. This was great, my family loves Mexican food. Monday we had Kathleen's enchiladas. 

These busy days, I am trying to do everything I can do, but today, today I am toast. Andy could make a meal, Alec could set the table and I just had to get off the couch. Thank YOU. 

Its Just another Marathon..

"Romans 5:3-5 ³Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Anita~