Apr 29 2009
First day of Chemo
For my first day of treatment I had a hard time. First they could not get the blood return from the port, needed to know that the medicine was going through to the main vein and not leaking. They ran saline in it and it ran good but no blood return. So the repositioned the needle, twice. Now this is not fun because they are very large needles and were about a half inch long. On the 3rd try they changed to a bigger and longer needle (about 1″). They injected some medicine that is to resolve blood clots or Minor fiber growths that could have been clogging the tube. Sorry I didn’t catch the name of this medicine. They were going to wait a half hour to see if that would not work, and if not they were gong to just leave that in and send me home to come back today. It was getting late in the day by now and they are not suppose to have patients on chemo after the doctors leave. I had gotten there at 12:30 and this was 2:30. The doctors usually start leaving around 4:30 of 5 so we were cutting it really close we had this half hour, about 20 mins. for some medicine to counteract the nausea and then at least one and a half for the chemo treatment. The nurse told the doctor what was gong on and he didn’t want me waiting one more day. So he had to start a regular IV. Well the first time (yep first time) she had a hard time finding a good vein but got one to work in my wrist, got a good blood return and started putting the anti nausea medicine in and lost the blood return. The medicine was going in but she wasn’t sure it was going in right and didn’t want to take any chances with the chemo. This spot started turning blue. So that one was taped off and she started looking for another one. Found one in the back of my arm between my wrist and elbow. Not a good spot for me but we got a good flow and managed to start the first chemo, (cytoxan) this one only takes 20 mins. Just before it was finished, about 2 mins. I would guess, the port site started working. I finished the last of the chemo in the port (taxotere) that took an hour. I was just getting out of the office at 5p.m. I was really tired and glad it was over. I had some sore spots but other than that wasn’t hurting to bad.
When I got home I tried to lay down and take a nap but couldn’t go to sleep so just laid there for half and hour or so. I eat a little dinner and wasn’t feeling to bad. I went to bed about 10:30 thinking I would get a good nights sleep for a change. But didn’t and had to get back up at midnight because I was a little nauseated so I took one of the pills they had prescripted for me, eat about 5 saltine crackers and went back to bed. I just dosed off and on until about 4:30 and finally got to sleep only to wake up at 7:00.
But this is the best part, I got up feeling better than I have in a while now. I had to go back in today and get an injection of Neulasta.this is to stimulate the growth of neutrophils, a type of infection fighting white blood cell. It signals your bone marrow to make more neutrophils which helps you keep from getting infections. Anyway I got there and got the injection, did some shopping and was gone about 5 hours. Still feeling good, maybe a little tired but not bad. The doctor told me yesterday not to let myself get to run down but not it give in the the fatigue any more than I had to. It was better to stay active. But so far I may not that tired. I bought myself a couple new blouses and pants so I came home and got those ready and in the closet, Eat some dinner and now am typing this and still feel good. OMG, I hope this last. I have a birthday part to go to on Sat. and am wanting to make her a pair of earrings and pin to go with the outfits I got her, so I hope I don’t run out of steam before I get it done. I told them I would be at the party even if I had to wear a mask and take a nap right in the middle of it. LOL
Well I can’t think of any thing else to tell ya’ll about.
So until next time keep healthy, Linda
