Bonus Week!

     It occurred to me that I had not reported on my last chemo (#2). I had shared pictures but not results!

 

     Chemo # 2 was on Tuesday, May 27th. It was very scary because I didn't know if the medication my oncologist gave me to prevent the rare side effect I had after my first chemo...horrible stomach pain...would work or not! 

 

IT WORKED!!!  

 

I did NOT have the horrific pain that put me into the ER after my first chemo treatment! I am soooo grateful for that medication!  

                  

     I got the Neulasta shot 24 hours later (it always has to be given 24 hours later) on Wednesday at 4pm. I felt pretty good on Wednesday, other than the flushing which occurs because of one of the chemo drugs (red face, ears, neck...no pain, just lots of heat!!!). I began taking the anti-nausea pills that day.

 

On Thursday, I had nausea and some bone pain from the shot. I continued the anti-nausea pills. By Friday, I had considerable bone pain and nausea.  I switched to the second kind of anti-nausea pills I have been prescribed. The nurses have instructed me how to take the pills for the best outcomes. I was still nauseated. I spent most of the day on the couch.

 

Saturday was about the same as Friday, mostly on the couch or the recliner. Sunday I felt better but had low energy. I did not go to church. Just simple things take a ton of energy. For me, lots of diarrhea accompanies chemo so that also saps my energy. Sorry if that is too much info!

 

     Another reason I have low energy on chemo weeks is because it is VERY difficult for me to eat. I usually eat a piece of toast in the morning and a small container of yogurt towards the evening. Sometimes I can eat a very small portion of homemade chicken noodle soup that I have made and frozen during my good weeks. Food has ABSOLUTELY NO appeal during the five days when I am nauseated. Everything tastes weird too, even water!

 

     By Sunday night I was feeling a little better.  Monday morning I felt ok. I had an appointment with an oncology PA at 7:30 and I got my Herceptin infusion at 8:30. I was done by mid-morning. I was mostly done packing so Arland and I left for Missouri by noon.

 

     Monday night I was quite sick. It may have been from chemo, from traveling, or from a snack I had eaten in the car...or maybe all three! By Tuesday morning I felt better again so we continued our trip. Since my nausea had improved, I stopped taking my anti-nausea pills. For the rest of our trip to Springfield, IL. I felt good, but tired. I slept a lot on both Monday and Tuesday when Arland drove. 

 

     By Wednesday, I was feeling pretty good. Arland had meetings all day so I decided I would go shopping for a short time that afternoon. I went to a HUGE mall. I parked by Dillard's so when I was ready to leave, I walked towards the Dillard's store. It didn't look right but I KNEW I had entered at Dillard's! Unfortunately, there were TWO Dillard's in that mall and I was at the wrong one. The other one where I came in was on the opposite end of this HUGE mall! I was tired already but there was only one way to get to the other end so I started walking! Half way, I had to stop and rest but eventually, I did get to the right Dillard's! Lesson learned...pay attention to how many stores with the same name there are at a mall!!!!

 

     The rest of the trip was uneventful and I felt good! Our trip was relaxing and fun. I'm so glad I was well enough to go! That was more than a golden thread...it was more like a golden blanket!

     Some questions have been asked of me about chemo so I'll answer them.

     One of the questions often asked about chemo is, "Does it hurt when you get the chemo drugs?" The answer is that after my port is accessed, there is no pain. The drugs going into my port go directly into a big vein near my heart and it feels like they are just putting regular IV fluid into me.

 

This is a drawing of where the port is placed. Of course, the purple port and the catheter line are under my skin.

 

 

This is a drawing of the parts of the port. All the parts are under my skin.

     Another question is about my port and if that is painful when they access it. Some of the nurses are better at getting the needle (its a BIG curved needle) into my port with less discomfort than others. I have a cream called EMLA cream that I put on one hour before my port gets accessed. EMLA cream numbs the skin so I don't feel pain, just a lot of pressure when they push the needle through my skin and the silicone covered port. The port feels bruised for a day or two after my infusions but not painful. 

 

     A third question is about the port bleeding. After my infusion, the port is covered with a Band-Aid. When I remove the Band-Aid at home, it has a small spot of blood on it. This past time when I removed the Band-Aid, I noticed the whole pad on the Band-Aid was covered with blood. I looked at my shirt and I had a soccer ball sized blood spot on my shirt.  My port had bled and I didn't notice it as I drove home.  No one else had noticed it either as I left RMCC because I had a black fleece sweater over my shirt that covered the port area. Guess I'll have to pay attention to that too from now on!

 

     Another person asked why I had a blanket on in one of the pictures during my infusion. The fluid and drugs (I get six to eight different fluids/drugs on chemo days) that I get in my IV/port are either refrigerated or stored at room temperature. When that much cool/cold fluid goes into me, I get chilled so I always say yes to the nurses when they offer me a warm blanket. I cover the warm blanket with the fleece that Katie gave me to keep the heated blanket warmer longer.

 

     If anyone wonders about anything, just ask! If I know the answer, I will tell you. My teacher instincts (obsession) will just not quit!!!

     I bet you are wondering why the title of this post is called "Bonus Week." The reason? I get an "extra" week...a BONUS week...before I have to have chemo again. In order for me to feel good at Arland's retirement party on June 19, I get the week of June 16th off from chemo, a HUGE golden thread!! My chemo was scheduled for June 16th but my oncologist said we could push it back a week. I could have kissed her! Luckily, I saved myself embarrassment by restraining myself and just thanked her profusely!

 

Oh, happy day...or rather, OH, HAPPY BONUS WEEK!!!