It has been a long road to get to this point. . .2 surgeries, and test upon test upon test, but the end of the fight has begun. I am looking forward to 6 months of chemo and then another 1.5 months of radiation. God only knows what all of that will do to me. I am frightened of both the process and the outcomes.
Walking into my first chemo session was a shock. It was not what I expected at all. A large sterile hospital room with 35 recliner chairs with people hooked up to their IVs receiving treatments. No privacy, no appearances of comfort, just “get it done”.
The staff was caring and concerned and they placed me up near the front so they could keep an eye on me for the first session. I had a port put in earlier in the week and was dreading using it as it was still VERY sore and swollen. But use it they did. Unfortunately, just as holds true with getting an IV needle into me, it took 4 tries to get the port to connect. Four tries of pushing, poking, and shoving needles in my chest. By the end, I was very bloody, but the port was attached and we were off and going.
The chemo itself was uneventful. No pain, no side effects, nothing. Pretty easy. Then I left.
On the way out, I was a little unsteady on my feet but didn’t think much about it. By the time I got home to my driveway (about 1/2 hour away), I was so dizzy, I could barely see. It continued to get worse. I called the doctor and he was concerned about fever, etc, but said that my reaction was “VERY UNUSUAL”. Gee thanks. I was incapacitated all weekend unable to open my eyes. Lot of fun with 4 dogs to deal with, but I managed and the dogs were sooooo good. Thankfully, Sunday was very warm and I could leave the deck door opened for them to come and go unfettered.
Today is Monday. . .3 days after chemo. I’m feeling a little nauseated but no big deal. My head is still very fuzzy, but I’m managing so far. I have no delusions that it will stay that way. The Drs. office called and once again said how unusual. . .no change in meds yet.
One day at a time, right?