2 down, 6 more to go!

For those of you who don't want a chemo update, click away.  I promise not to be a Debbie downer.  The fatigue has not hit right now (that will probably be tomorrow).  So right now, I thought I would share a day in the chemo chair.  As you already know, I will be getting chemo every 2 weeks.  After my first treatment, the first week held nothing but fatigue, nothing tasting the same, emotional rawness, fatigue (oh wait, I already said that), and more fatigue.  Now that week was tough!  I can't thank my family enough.  Special props go out to my mother and my mother-in-law!  I couldn't have better family.

Then, I woke up on the first day of week 2 very surprised.  I felt normal.  I took advantage.  After my follow-up doctor's appointment, I made mom meet me for some Mexican food (okay, it was really more American Mexican food) but I could taste it!!  You see the previous week nothing tasted good.  For those of you who don't know, I could drink fountain Coke all day.  The 1st week of chemo, it tasted horrible.  I was desperate to find a drink other than water by the end of week 1.  I went so far as ordering a mountain dew and a Pepsi to see if I could taste that but yuck.  So, while eating with mom I was so excited I could taste a little.  Eevery day of the 2nd week, I took full advantage of this by eating as if I wouldn't be able to taste food again.  Probably not a good idea for the waist line but I needed to give myself a little break.  As the week past, I continued to feel normal!  I tried to cram a lot into last week.

That brings us to my 2nd round of chemo.  Yes, I brought my camera to give you a peek into what I hope you'll never have to experience.  Let's talk about what I call getting plugged in.  Like I have already said, I had a fun (ha!ha!) port installation.  Here is me plugged in, hooked up, ready to kick some a@! and take some names.  (Sorry mom, I will have to give you a quarter for the jar)  Don't I look rough and tough?  I had to bring the prayer shaw given to me by the church connected to my son's school.  I know it detracts from the tough look I was trying for but I felt like being wrapped in prayers was part of my fight.

So, here is where I sit and wait for a half hour for the nausea meds to drop in.  I am lucky to have such a comfy recliner.  I had brought a book, my new ipad (thanks Betty), and magazines.  I couldn't get the ipad to connect.  When the nurse came in, I asked about Wi-Fi.  She smiled and said, "no, sorry.  We just got comcast last year."  What??!!  Well, I guess I've got a comfy chair right.  

So no Wi-Fi, not in the mood for TV, and the nausea meds just made me tired.  Now is where I can introduce you to my chemo buddy for the day, my sister or should I say my personal comedian.

She is trying to impress me with her I can stand on elbows.  I wasn't impressed but did laugh.  What can I say, we were trying to make the best of a not so fun situation.  It was briefly interrupted by the nurse.  We thought we might be getting into trouble but I was ready to get the 1st chemo drug.

 

I read some blog where the person refer to this adriamycin as the 'red devil.'  All I know is I hope it is taking down every last cancer cell.  After 10 minutes, the nurse was done.  She put up my 2nd chemo, cytoxan.  She was so nice.  She laughed at all of our jokes.  She may or may not have thought they were funny.  Who knows?  I suggested to the nurse that maybe me and another patient have a friendly sprint race down the hall with our IV stands.  She just laughed.  Little did she know that we were serious!

Sometimes you gotta do whatever to get through some times.  Okay, it wouldn't be fair.  I never see anyone my age there.  It is usually a more mature crowd.  Apparently, the party in our room didn't get me revoked from coming back!

Two down, six more to go!  I want to throw a big thanks out to my sis/personal comedian!  Hope this may take the scary out of a terrifying experience for anyone that may find themselves in my shoes.

 

Take care!