Tales from the Flight of the Phoenix

Today was my first day of chemo.  After several pre-rounds of steroids, anti-nausea meds and a few does of Benadryl, my rash finally went away.  I arrived at the hospital at 9:00am and saw the P.A. and had my port accessed - which hurt like Hell by the way since it has not fully healed.  Then I went into the infusion center, scheduled for 4 different types of medicines, which lasted a period of 7 hours.

I had many different medicines at different intervals.  Then in between then different chemos and immunotherapies, I continued to receive bags of anti-nausea meds and doses of steroids to keep reactions down.  On top of that, I had a constant saline drip, which caused me to have to pee four times during the day - dragging an IV pole with me every time.  I spent the day in a small recliner chair watching TV, crocheting and snacking.  Today the only side effect I'm having is some fatigue and some bad dry mouth.  But I know that in the next few days the effects will really start to hit me.  I feel kind of paranoid about it.

Dr S. has decided that since he hasn't treated many patients like me and with my backgrounds, he wants to see me once a week until after my second treatment - really just to ensure I'm not having severe adverse reactions or to make sure my body in handling things like it is supposed to.  I told them that the drive didn't bother me and I had Mondays off, but I wasn't happy with the $70 copay I would have to pay for each visit he wanted from me.  His P.A. said she would give me some information on organizations that offer financial assistance, but it still feels like a big burden on my shoulders.

So I go back to the hospital tomorrow to receive my immune booster shot and to follow up with Dr L. after my surgery.  I want to thank my cousin Brad and his wife Andrea for opening their home to us and allowing us to stay close to Dallas so we can easily return to the hospital for the last of my appointments.  You guys were great!


It's all starting to flow now!