first chemo treatment

Yesterday was my first treatment.  One thing for sure, don't go with a "hurry up" attitude.  You will just be frustrated.  Pick your chair, making sure there is a plug for my laptop, sit and wait.  The nurses are nice.  Some sit at the desk and you wonder what they are doing because you really don't see much movement. 

Just let me say that although I am new at this the port-a-cath is the way to go.  A little lidocaine cream before leaving home and there is really not much pain at all.  If you don't know what that is it is a contraption placed just under the skin that allows administration of IV medication and drawing blood without sticking you all over trying to do the same thing.  After while you will have no veins to stick.  Awesome.

The drugs begin.  Steroids and Benedryl for potential allergic reaction.  Zantac for your stomach.  And a three day anti-nausea drug. 

Then the Taxol.  One of the drugs to attack the cancer.  If there is a plus side to this the drug is in 80% alcohol.  For every 100mg you get 1oz 80 proof liquor.  My dose is 348mg.  That is 3.5oz of 80 proof liquor IV.  Mercy me. 

Then the Carboplatin.  Another cancer attacking drug.  This one has no specialness during the infusion.  Guess I can't have it all.

David brought me Skyline for lunch.  Treatment done.  Go home.

I wanted to go to McAllister's with Michelle, her boys and Bill for supper.  David tries to talk me out of it.  Doctor said to do whatever I felt like doing.  Don't dwell on the cancer.  Live my life.  I went. 

You see, I had not seen the boys since they were told about the cancer.  Now this is scary enough for us as adults but my precious grand kids must be so scared and they don't know how to express it.  We needed to hug, to ease their fears.  I need to be normal.  Quiet Joe!

With the "steroid rush" I did not sleep last night.  I created this blog.  The nurse said I would probably clean house but you all know me better than that.  If you don't just keep up with this blog and you will.