Monday, September 13, 2004

Day 1 of 5

I got back from chemo about 3:45. We started late because of a long wait at the doctor's office.

This is my day:
9:00 - Doctor appt to check my blood and overall health before they approve the start of chemo. Waited until 10:00 before we were seen, and got out of there with the OK at 10:30.

They accessed my port to get blood and prepare me for chemo. Before my 2nd treatment I had a port surgically inserted under the skin on my right shoulder. The veins in my arms would have been destroyed by the chemo drugs, so a more direct connection to my arteries was needed. Yeah, it freaks me the hell out, but I try not to think about it. It does make things easier.

10:45 - Check into Chemo Center to begin treatment. There were already about 12 people there getting their juice. I took my usual seat away from their chatter.

11:00 - Hooked up wit 1 liter of fluids to get things flowing.
One shot of a drug that helps fight nausea for 5 days. (Aloxi)
Hooked up with Decadron, a steroid that helps the chemo fight the cancer.

11:20 - Decadron done, hooked up with another anti-nausea drug. (Atavan)
Some people get these drugs and they still get sick.

11:40 - IV drug done
Hooked up with Mannitol, a diuretic. We can't let any of the chemo drugs sit in the system too long.

12:30 - All the preliminary drugs and fluids are done. It's show time!
Hooked up with first bag of Cisplatin. It's clear and innocent looking. I can't feel any of this entering my bloodstream.

1:15 - Cisplatin is done.
I get an injection of Lassix. A wonderful diuretic that makes me run to the bathroom at least four time in the next half hour. Gotta flush it out.

1:45 - Chemo Drug number 2 - VP 16 (etoposide). I'm hooked up.
Support fluids are also added so I'm not getting pure bug juice.

3:20 - I'm done. Disconnected and going home.

I'm tired, and a little dizzy. My hands are a little jittery. But I'm feeling ok. Still have an appetite.

I'm going to go lay down.