Well, Friday was my first chemo day. Here’s how it went:
Arrived at 8:45am and got hooked up – through a vein in the side of my forearm, so weird. First, a little saline, then some Pepcid, then Benadryl – all to counteract possible reactions. Finally, Taxol, to kill those m/f-ing cancer cells! I get a double-dose today, slowly at first to make sure I don’t have a reaction (which I don’t), then full-on. Though I don’t have any adverse reaction to the chemo, the Benadryl has given me the wiggles to the moon and back. I cannot stay still. I take laps around the chemo lab with my drip, I go to the bathroom at least 12 times. I cross and uncross my legs nonstop. I’m sure everyone there thought I was coming off heroin cold turkey. Nothing hurts; it’s not painful; I just wish they had a treadmill there!
When the Taxol is done, then they start the Herceptin – a double dose again. Time is dragging. They said to allow 4 hours, but it’s going on 5…ugh. We have snacks – almonds, fruit, animal crackers, yogurt raisins…that helps. It’s finally done, and we go home, still antsy. I take a half of an Ativan to calm down and then take a nap.
The weekend has been okay – mild flu-like symptoms – achiness, headache, chills, etc. but thankfully nothing too serious. I missed a BBQ, but made it to church. No hair fell out and no puking…living one moment at a time.
One down, eleven to go.
Karen's Cancer Journey & Beyond 