First Day Chemo

No cancer adventure is easy. I am the first to say that. I am also the first to admit that this has become a journey in my lifetime that I want to share, just in case there are some of you out there who might want to connect with questions, comments, words of advice, and prayers.

This first entry is about my first day of chemo. In later entries, I would like to share my days prior to chemo and how I prepared for this mind-boggling cancer event.

Yesterday was a Monday. We arrived at the Roswell Park Williamsville Clinic on Park Club Lane at nine o'clock, signed in, paid our co-pay, and were ushered into a huge room with lines of recliners and IV poles next to each recliner. My hubby was with me. We did lots of hand holding. He even kissed me before we opened the door to the chemo offices. 

Had a kind, masked nurse named Holly. (Good way to start the Christmas season.) She was patient while explaining the process and procedures. Hooked my med-port for taking two vials of blood and sent them to the in-house lab immediately. We wait to make sure my blood levels were what they were supposed to be and then started with the chemo.

Now I will tell you that I panicked slightly when she hung up nine bags of drugs...and later added 3 more. Said to my husband that I would see him at bedtime! But I learned over time that each one of those bags is filled to a different level and each bag drips either slower or faster, depending I would guess on the drug. 

Also each time a bag was complete, a huge beep notifies the heavens that it is done, and Holly would explain what next we were chugging into my human house. (It's like we are getting rid of the black mold!)

I brought things to do. Wrote about ten notes during the first two or three bags. Then I began to feel tired, not sleepy, just tired. So I stretched back in the recliner to answer messages on my phone. But about then the north winds began to blow and I was freezing. So glad for the wrap and fleece blanket I brought with me. (Next I will bring a heavier quilt.) And of course, this is too funny, I feel asleep.

Falling asleep in a chemotherapy room becomes a snoring orchestra for the nurses. It is meant solely to entertain them! So glad we all wore masks. That meant no one saw that my mouth was gaping wide open as I lay on my back. (That's where my hubby would normally poke me and tell me to roll over.)

Sorry if I offend anyone. We must keep humor in this process. It helps us heal. So let me share that when I fell asleep the room was full - and I mean full - of people. When I awoke, I had two remaining bags and everyone was gone...just gone. It was me and Holly. Of course, in the course of events, I stumbled with my IV pole to the bathroom, but I never noticed that the people were disappearing. I was just too sleepy. Sat down and resumed a one person solo!!! 

Gradually, I warmed up. Called my husband to pick me up in an hour and a half. He came early. We talked with Holly, eventually waving good-night and sleep-tight till next Monday.

I ate supper. I walked my dog, and slept well, although this is advice for you and me. After a day of chemo, wear Depends to bed because my sleep was so heavy, I woke slowly and then dripped my way to the bathroom. In fact, I had a little of that same trouble during chemo, so Depends might be a good investment! Just sayin'. Note to self.

This morning, the day after chemo, I'm good. Slept from 8:30-7. Did my devotions. Ate breakfast with my loving husband. I am shaky but okay, and drinking water that has electrolytes in it like it's going out of style. We have 48 hours to wash the chemo drugs from our system. So I'm on that because I want to be alive, awake, and enthusiastic for classes at the end of the week.

Final note to anyone starting chemo. If you are able, avoid starting the first Monday on the weekend that the clocks were changed. That's like a double whammy for my system to handle, although so far we are doing well and will probably do some snoring this afternoon!

Thanks for joining me by the way. May you become a follower so I can stay in communication with you. Look forward to your responses. Love you all... Signed, the quilting cancer girl!