First One Down...

Keith and I are finally back home after my marathon drip, some assing around trying to get scheduled for everything else and getting meds from the in-house pharmacist (way easier than having to go to the drug store!). Keith was great, he came with me this morning and stayed with me for an hour or so, then he went to work for a bit and came back at 2:00. What a guy!

The other guy in my life today was G my infusion nurse. He explained everything, kept me smiling and even let me take a quick picture of my first bag of chemo!!

Everything went fine, but they had us worried at first. My liver enzyme levels were pretty high, so they had to call Dr. Y to check and see if we could go ahead. Thankfully she gave the go ahead and we got started (albeit 45 minutes late, Keith says "that is why you're called a 'patient'").

Before the chemo drugs start they give me a bunch of "pre-meds". This includes several different anti-nausea drugs, benedryl and steroids. The benedryl kicked my ass. As soon as they injected it I felt it. I'm gaining an understanding for intravenous drug use. The benedryl made me sleepy and out of it for a couple hours.

Then the chemo starts (taxotere first, then carboplatin, then herceptin). Everything went in very slowly today just in case I had a bad reaction (my next drip should take less time, thankfully!).

The only thing that hurt was accessing the port. My port is still tender (I've only had it a little over a week) and they have to push pretty hard to find the right spot in there. Once they got in, it was fine, but ooof, I'm going to have to get some numbing cream before my next drip!

Now I'm just sitting around waiting for the side effects to come... Actually, I'm going to force myself to get up and walk the dog in a bit. I should be fine today (with all those pre-meds) and tomorrow I'll go back in for a Neulasta shot (kick start my bone marrow) and I'll start taking some heavy duty anti-nausea pills (the pharmacist called one an anti-nausea bomb). Fingers crossed it all works and I continue feeling pretty good!