It’s a good thing my friends Shannon and Wendy explained how this works, because otherwise I would think Wasabi gave me super powers.
The first drug they gave me now code named schnitzel (thank you Sara) is a steroid that works as a antinausea drug. That drug is the shit. I woke up feeling great, we went for a 2 mile walk and now I’m ready to go out to lunch.
Unfortunately it will wear off by tomorrow but I may challenge Jeff to arm wrestling first.
While I can’t say that was fun. It wasn’t horrible. Now to go home and rest.
Within minutes of getting the first chemo drug I had an allergic reaction. I got super hot, dizzy and must have looked crazy because they took a photo of me. They said it was to send to the doctor but it might have just been funny.
Three nurses worked quickly switching me back to saline, took my blood pressure etc. After I was back to normal and they talked to my doctor they started it again but mixed with I assume saline. Now I’m fine.
My ice socks and ice packs for my hands are getting mixed reactions.
One nurse thought it was funny, one super interesting and one just rolled her eyes.
Anti nauseous drug in. Now on the allergy meds. Good thing Sven is a sloth since they don’t get bored easily.
I’m all hooked up and getting the first meds which are anti nauseous meds.
So far so good. They wouldn’t let Jeff in with me. But I’m fine. I was nervous but now that it’s all hooked up I’m good.
Waiting to go in.
I’m sure CHOP is a great name in Spanish. In English it sounds not so great. I guess they are going to karate chop the cancer cells.
My code name for chemo is Wasabi. I hate saying chemo or treatment.
It starts at 9:00 and while saying I’m excited would be incorrect, I am happy to be starting because the sooner it starts the sooner it ends.
The entire thing should be about fours hours from start to finish. I’m packing my backpack as if I’m going for days.
Sven my support sloth is coming, along with Jeff, snacks, books, phone games, downloaded true crime docuseries, and most important an ice cooler!
My biggest concern is neurathapy which is nerve problems to your hands and feet. One thing that is supposed to help is icing your hands and feet. This infusion place doesn’t offer this so I have to bring my own.
Jeff and I were joking that we should put some Bud Lights in the cooler and tell people that as Americans we don’t go anywhere without beer.
This picture is demonstrating how empty handed I was leaving the blood test lab.
The first time I got a blood test after being diagnosed they presented me with a little box. I thought, “Weird. I need to give a urine sample and the container is in this box? But I opened it to find this.
chocolate or soap? It was chocolate!
They told me it was a present from the lab. Then the women all showed me the necklaces they were wearing which were the cancer support symbol. 🎗🎗.
(Interesting side note. Each cancer has a different color ribbon. Ovarian cancer is teal. Breast cancer is pink. Yellow is several different cancers.)
I assumed this was going to be an ongoing gift but it must have been a one time only “Welcome to cancer” gift.
Not that I’m complaining. I’m trying to cut out sugar so I shouldn’t be eating chocolate anyway. There is also a supermarket in the same building so I can buy all the after blood draw candy I want. But still seems like I should at least get a sticker.
Today I bring the blood test results to the oncologist and then hopefully start the chemo tomorrow.
I hate saying chemo a hundred times a day so my new code word is Wasabi. As in tomorrow when I get my first Wasabi dose.
My port installation went well. It was a short surgery that I was drugged up for. I don’t remember anything about it except yelling out ouch at one point.
The port is under the skin so when the incision heals it will look like a bump under my skin.
I also woke up wearing this plastic bracelet that I’m pretty sure it’s an advertisement for the brand of port they installed.
It’s weird because it’s not like I had a choice of brands.
Later I had to get. A chest xray. I’m not completely sure why but it better not be to see if its in right.
It hurts a bit but not so much I can’t sit on the balcony.
OK we have a plan. And it’s a good one.
This Friday I get the port. That is going to be like a mini surgery. I won’t be put under, but will be drugged up. I better be VERY drugged up if I’m going to be awake for it.
It’s going to be inserted under my skin (gross) so I have to heal from that a bit. Then the following week I start chemo. It’s going to be 4 times, each 3 weeks apart.
The way they explained it is like this:
Jeff and I have got ready by having a great long weekend doing fun stuff and buying these great chair for me to be able to relax in. Of course we got two so that Jeff can entertain me while I relax.
