I have to admit, I was filled with intrepidation about this outcome, and I was trying to put on a brave face [though not too successfully, I might add] Inwardly, I was a total wreck! I had built my hopes up so far against chemo and I was not mentally prepared to accept the probability of having to go through it. [I am better now.] I have had another attitude adjustment.
Because I have an overwhelming desire to stay alive and watch my Grandchildren grow up and to have a chance to paint my masterpiece someday [hopefully soon], I opted for the Chemo. So now it begins in earnest!
Gary left work early and so did I, and we met at home and drove to the Clinic together. He was very upset, because his manager was hassling him about having to leave...! [even though Gary warned him previously that this was BOUND TO HAPPEN during the course of my cancer treatments. It took him a while to settle down. NO ONE likes to be talked to like an "underling". He felt belittled and I do not say as I blame him.
Oh well, we soon became busy getting educated about chemo treatment. Ashley was our nurse and she was very pleasant. She explained everything very thoroughly, and when she didn't have an answer for our questions, she promptly found others who did.
The Port for the IV is a lifesaver! I used the Lidocaine to numb it for one hour before I arrived, and barely felt the pinch of the needle [they use a fairly large needle for this, so it really hurt the first time they flushed the port and took some blood samples]. I was happy to find my blood pressure was normal...127 over 69. It seems everytime I go to get my DOT physical for driving the school bus, it comes off as high. Maybe they intimidate me and raise it! LOL
She took blood, then gave me anti-nausea meds, then a steroid too, we had to wait a bit after that injection. Then she put in a bright red chemo drug in a syringe [still through the port]...I referred to that one as "Kool-Aid! then flushed the port, and started the last chemo bag. That took a whole hour by itself. In all, we were there three hours.
I never did experience any severe side effects TODAY. I noticed a strong chemical odor when she was using the saline to flush the port, but I did not taste a "metallic" taste during the chemo. I was actually quite relaxed during the procedure and was looking at cardmaking files that Sandy L. shared with me. I still have a lot more of them to see....so I'll save them for next time.
I was disappointed that I could not connect to the internet in there. I was so looking forward to browsing. But, I shall have to settle for my own programs, and bring a DVD to watch next time.
I am tired now, and am going to go to bed. I only have a slight headache, so that is tolerable for now. We shall see what tomorrow brings.
One Down, Seven to GO!
My next time will be in two weeks. Here goes nothing!
I appreciate all the prayers and positive thoughts! Catch me also on Facebook as Mary LaBarre Krause. I know some of you are having no luck trying to leave me comments here. And I am Not saavy enough to explain you through the process...sorry.
Love to all!
Mary
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