Chemo treatment # 1

I am not sure how or where to begin, as the whole experience is so surreal this 1st treatment is terrifying. I am not going to be a super hero and pretend that I am not afraid, it scares the crap out of me. Well, I guess the unknown can be scary for anyone. But my rock is by my side and that gives me great comfort. 

Everyone is extremely nice and caring, they make you feel as comfortable as possible. You take your seat in a somewhat comfortable lazyboy, they ask you a few questions and they begin.  The iv is placed in my hand, a little painful but it can't be worse than surgery....lol. Next the pharmacist comes and gives me my prescriptions for nausea, one of the many side effects of the chemo. Then she proceeded to explain the treatment I am receiving and how wonderful I may feel afterwards (NOT), the hair loss, mouth ulcers, possible vomitting, red urine, fatigue, risk of infection, fever at 38.3 requires an immediate visit to the ER.  Jesus, can it get any worse, no kidding I am freaking out and want to run out of my skin.  But, cancer will not beat me, I will kick its ass....HARD. 

It's 10:25 am and I have taken my first pill for control of nausea and the chemo begins. The first blood red treatment has begun, Epirubicine.  Wow, is all I have to say, the feeling is of disbelief, how can this be happening to me, I am too young for this bastard disease, unfortunately this bastard knows no age. This is freaken burning my vein, imagine what it is doing to my insides, it better kill the bastard if it's hiding anywhere. So now I sit and wait for bag #1 to finish. Done at 10:46am 

Next one, Fluorouacil, I have to start chewing on ice to avoid the next treatment from penetrating into my gums and teeth. It was a quick dose and painless.  Got up to go to the bathroom and then just as fast as it went in, the urine was blood red. Good thing I was aware of the side effect, if not I would have freaked out. The redness will continue for 48-72 hours, so I must drink lots of water in order to flush it out. 

Last one, Cyclophosphamide has begun, should run for about 30 minutes. In the meantime a sweet old man having treatment came to see me and tried to comfort me, that I would be ok and that my beautiful hair would probably fall out but I will be ok, He is the sweetest. So the nurse explains to me that a possible side effect of this med is that I can feel pressure on the bridge of my nose and forehead, like a sinus infection.  All is going well until the last few minutes when the pain struck on the bridge of my nose and forehead, it was like a very strong pressure, no panic, they gave me 2 tylenols and it will relieve the pressure. Next time around the treatment will be stretched over 1 hour instead of 30 minutes. 

So in all honesty the actual treatment is not so bad, the unknown is always worse and terrifying.  Now we wait and see what the side effects will be like and when they will kick in. 

Ass kicking #1 done at 11:50am.