WEEK 1: DANCING WITH THE DEVIL

Each week, I will write a little update to let you know how my treatment is going and how I am feeling. 

On Tuesday September 7th, 2010 I went the the Cancer clinic to receive my first chemo injection. I was nervous, scared, worried, anxious - my emotions were all over the map.

I walk into a room with probably 20 recliner chairs with IV cords hanging everywhere.  There are no curtains and everyone is seated together.  It's like the scene of druggie house, except these drugs are not for personal pleasure.

At this point, my port hadn't been put in yet, so my first injection had to be in my arm (well my wrist in this case). The nurse first gave my cyclophosphamide which came in bag  form. She warned me that there could be a reaction to this drug that will cause a burning and stuffy nose.  Sure enough, I reacted.  The drug is normally adminisitered on a 15 minute drip, but mine was set to 30 minutes because I'm just a little girl.  I guess 30 minutes wasn't enough because about half way through it felt as if I had got chlorine up my nose.  I couldn't stop sneezing and then my eyes watered up.  The nurse said that next time we would administer the drug for 45 minutes. Oh joy, I have to spend even more time in this place.

Once this drug finished, my sinuses began to clear up.  Now it is time for the next one.  All of a sudden I see these giant syringes filled with that looked like red water.  It almost reminded me of the "potions" my sister and I used to make when we were little when we played gypsies. (She would know what I am talking about). Adriamycin is its medical name, but for the rest of us, it is known as DANCING WITH THE DEVIL!!! Red like the devil and even works like the devil - sneaky and poisonous.

I went home from the hospital feeling rather high.  I was completely out of it.  I had a nice lunch and went to bed immeditely.  Little did I know how I was going to feel when I woke up.  I'll save you all the nitty gritty details, but let's just say it lasted for 7 hours straight. :(.

Unfortunately, I was unable to attend my grandmothers funeral due to my sickness.  I felt horrible about it too.  God bless her soul!!!!

For the next five days, I had to inject myself with these Nuepegan shots.  Their purpose is to help bring up my white blood cell count because the chemo drastically depleats it.  More side effects --> body aches, insomnia, etc.  What next?

It is now Sunday, and I must say I have made some progress.  Although I am still getting my "sick" moments, I'm not sleeping all day like I was for the first two.  However, I do have this awful, nasty taste in my mouth.  I like to refer to it as the Biaxin mouth but ten times worse.  If any of you have been on the antibiotic, Biaxin, you know exactly what I am talking about..hehe. Although I am having a down day, I feel like this blog is helping me get through my emotions.  The sun is shining and there's a beautiful breeze outside.  I might go take the puppy for a walk :).

Stay tuned for the next update!!!!  Thanks for reading :)

PS.  My head is already starting to tingle!! You know what that means??? Calling all Bicssss!!

Love you all xoxo