Sorry for the long delay on updates. It has been a busy couple of months.
Only Three Treatments left - YAY
What have I learned this far . . . . . . . . . .?
Chemo is no joke. I am not as strong as I thought I was going to be. I will recap a couple of my recent days in the infusion room.
Chemo Monday Sept 8th. The nurse hit a nerve while giving me an IV, I had stabbing, burning pain running up my hand. Screamed like a little girl. After that I was overly tense so they gave me an Ativan to calm down. A second attempt in my other hand was unsuccessful as well. Finally was able to get an IV in my arm and begin treatment. It took me all of five days to feel better. It is taking well over a month for the nerve pain to heal. :(
Chemo Monday Sept 22. What a horrible horrible day. I now begin to get ill on the ride to the hospital. I take anti-nausea medication prior to leaving the house, but that doesn't matter. We start the game of trying to find a good vein for my IV. Success after two attempts. I took my hospital medication and worked hard at keeping everything done for at least 20mins. Then the vomiting started. I made it through three of my four medications. While receiving the fourth I began to have uncontrollable shaking and chills. My oldest tried rubbing my arms, helping me walk around, holding my vomit bag, etc. She is my rock star and has gone to most of my treatments with me. After more vomiting and the nurses wrapping me up like an Eskimo in warm blankets, I was discharged to a wheel chair and sent home. I did nothing but sleep for three days.
My son supporting me. He is a sympathetic vomit-er, but held it together on Mom. :)
Chemo Monday Oct 6. Another tearful day. I requested a nurse with a large amount of IV experience, hoping I would be poked only once today. Well, he got the IV in but also caused a small bruise. This allowed for my first medication,
A: doxorubicin (Adriamycin®), also called "The Red Devil" to leak a little into my tissue. I was not aware of how serious this is. They had to move my IV which took two more tries, administer cold packs to the infected hand, and give me an antidote to protect the area from tissue damage and dying. I returned yesterday to complete my chemo and receive the antidote again. I do not have any good veins left and it took four attempts to get an IV. I return again today for the last antidote and hope we have better success with an IV. I am feeling ill already. UGH
The charge nurse has set me up to get a pic line. YAY for just one more stab and my last three treatments should be without all of this stress. Hopefully, I can even keep myself from getting so anxious and sick before these last sessions.
August and September have been busy months. Robert started a new job and is much closer to home. We traveled to Utah to pick up my daughter and grand-son to move home. The house is full of never ending activities having a 2 1/2 year old running around. Brytnee started a new job this week and Brandon started pre-school. I can now get the rest during the day that is very needed. :)
The kids and I have signed up for a cancer 5K in November. Hoping I can still run the whole thing. Bryt is training with me so she can run as much as possible. So proud of her effects to create a healthy lifestyle for herself. I don't anticipate any PR, just a finish will make me happy.
Hoping to keep you updated better as I am creeping to the finish line.
Remember: This is just a little bump in the road we call life. I need a 4WD to maneuver through the final dirt roads. But the end is near.
