Surviving Step By Step: Treatment has started

 The infusion room isn't really that big. Sits alongside the Towers area on the main road. They asked if my husband was going to stay and gave us a private infusion room. I was very nervous but the room was comfortable. Two recliners, TV, a bell to ring if you need something, nice sunny room if you wished to open the blinds. It took about one hour to actially start the treatment. There was plenty of paperwork, my vitals were taken again, staff explaining the procedure and double-checking who I was compared to the treatment plan. The meds are not mixed until you actually arrive there. Being so expensive, they could not be wasted. I had to take one of my nausea meds and within the hour it made me feel groggy and sleepy.

When they inserted the infusion port into my medi port, it really hurt bad. I wasn't quite sure how that was going to be done. Now I know. It took about 20 minutes not to feel the sting. Most people use either a numbing patch or cream. Maybe that is what I will need  soon. See, what they are doing is pushing a connector through your skin to hook up to your port.  The herceptin took about  an hour and a half. They monitored my vitals often. When it was all done they flushed the line and observed me for about 30 minutes. I was able to go home after all that. I felt really good the rest of the day. Still having my cold was not fun. The next morning , we were back up there for my first chemo treatment. This one is the dreaded one.  The one that will eventually make my hair fall out and  make me look completely different. The one that will have me staying strong for myself and family. I was given a nausea med through my IV. This one would not make me sleepy. That was good.  I had the Taxotere first. Took an hour and then they flushed my line and started the Cytoxan. It was a 30 minute treatment. I listened to music, worked on word-search puzzles and watched the television.  I had a  snack of my own that I brought. I have a goody bag with entertainment, snacks, paper and pens. I try to come prepared. Makes the time go fast. My husband this time went to visit a friend. I insisted. My nurse is very good. He is compassionate, a good talker and cares about his patients. I was ready to go home when it was time. I played nurse to my son the next few days. He is only nine.First time out sick from school. Unfortunately, I had to drag him to my doctor's office to get my first injection shot. The shot will help keep up my white blood cell count. I will get achey in the bones and body from these. Tylenol will help. I will get one shot the day after each chemo treatment, which is every three weeks. It is Sunday and right now the body is beginningt to ache. I'm holding off for a while. Tolerable. My son feels better. Yeah!!! I get blood drawn Tuesday and then Wednesday back for a Herceptin treatment. They are every week for a year. The routine will be crazy at times but the results will be better. I'm very optimistic and thankful for a wonderful support team. My faith will help me through the tough times. My family will make me smile. Life will be good.

Surviving Step by Step