One Busy Day

Today was quite a busy day! I arrived at the hospital at 6:30 and checked in at Registration, and yes, of course, there was some confusion surrounding my procedure and my chemotherapy. The person helping me had to get assistance to figure out what to do - nothing is ever easy. Eventually they figured it out and sent me on my way and I arrived at Radiology at 7:00 on the dot. I was called quickly from the waiting room to head to pre-op where a nurse inserted an IV line, checked vital signs and went over paperwork with me. Next a Physician's Assistant came in and went over the device and described how the procedure would work. Off we went to the operating room - get this - 15 minutes early. I received sedation through my IV and then some localized injections. I felt some pressure, which I understand was the manipulation of the catheter into the vein and seemed to be awake the whole time - the PA kept popping his head under the sheet that was stretched over me to check on me, he was very entertaining. I didn't experience any pain, other than some stiffness in my throat, which went away after the Oncology nurse changed the bandage for me. It didn't really seem to take too long and I was whisked off to recovery. This photo is in the recovery room after my english muffin and ginger ale! I left Recovery for Oncology at a little after noon time.


When I arrived at Oncology, I met with Dr. Muss who after a brief discussion decided to cancel my Neulasta shot tomorrow, it turns out that I have good bone marrow to start with and for women in my age group the medicine only drops the chance of infection from 8% to 4%, so the payoff for the pain I had from the injection wasn't there. Finished with Dr. Muss off I went to the clinic for my treatment. First blood was drawn (through my new port) for my genetics testing (more on than in a later post) and the saline and nausea medication drips were attached. Because my appointment was originally scheduled for yesterday, the computer hadn't
caught up with the change and there was some issue with the Pharmacy in getting my drugs mixed. I didn't start my Taxotere until 2:30, which meant with 3 drugs, I was there until a little after 5:00. It was great to have the drugs going in through the port - it left both my hands free, which makes it much easier when you have to pull your IV pole with you to the bathroom, to eat, and just to be comfortable while receiving treatment.

While I was having treatment, in the chair across from me was a woman in her 30's with her mother. They were obviously close and enjoying each others company. It made me quite sad that my mother can no longer provide that kind of comfort for me. She doesn't really understand what is happening and she certainly wouldn't be able to come to the clinic with me to provide comfort. It's an odd feeling to have my parents with me, but not have them really engaged with what is happening to me. Most of the time I'm fine with the way things are, but there are sometimes, I'd just like to be sick and not have to explain it all over and over again.

The day surely ended on a bright note - I have such wonderful friends who have all been so supportive - when I returned home today from this long day of treatment, there was a box of from Harry & David from a friend in Massachusetts. That was a great treat to come home to!

Any Port in a Storm

Well, it looks like the drama associated with IV 's will be soon be over. At a meeting at the clinic today, it was decided that I will receive a port implant on Thursday morning to help me weather the tempest that is chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatment delivery. The port is "installed" in my chest during a brief surgical procedure under local anesthesia. My procedure is scheduled for 7:00 am and once I've recovered, I'll be able to receive my chemotherapy treatment (a change from Wednesday to Thursday for those of you following along).

I spoke to a woman who had a port during my treatment last week, and it appears to be quite easy to manage, nothing bothersome and makes everything that much easier. Since I will be having treatments for a year it sure makes a lot of sense, and will take the worry of whether or not it will be a difficult insertion or not out of the chemotherapy equation. For anyone who knows me, I have a tendency to suck it up - just ask anyone who's heard my rant about how the doctor's never give me any drugs and everyone else gets all kinds of drugs. I've finally realized that this is the one time in my life I'm probably allowed to be a little less tough and there really is no need to have IV anxiety for another year.

For more info on Ports, please see link under Breast Cancer Links.

On another note. Today was my first day out and about in the world with no hat and my new "hair". I did go out on Saturday, but it was cold and I wore a hat. Today was in the 60's and I went au naturale to the hospital, Walmart, Marshalls, the Humane Society, the Bank, TJ Max, Rite Aid and P&C, so I guess I'm ok with how it looks now - hopefully will continue that when it's all gone. It felt great - it was warm and a little breezy - I've decided I can't wait to jump in the pool and feel the water on my head. A friend of mine once said hair is highly overrated and I'm beginning to believe him. Showers are shorter, no hair to blow dry, and definitely no bad hair days. Of course, I'm saying all this while I still have a little bit of hair on my head - I may change my mind once I've lost the last of it, but for now it's rather freeing.