First Round

Last Monday, May 4th, at the crack of dawn I went to Allen Hospital to have a medi-port surgically implanted near my left collar bone so that I could receive chemo in one location instead of being poked in numerous places.

When we arrived home later that morning after that procedure, we were informed that there was a power outage at the Cedar Valley Medical Park and I would not be able to receive my first chemo treatment that afternoon as scheduled.

Due to previous medical delays we've already experienced, Rob & I took this as a sign that I was to go back up to Mayo Clinic. Rob called Mayo right away. They were able to get me in the next morning, Tuesday, May 5th.

I had a blood draw at 6:40 am, then we met with the oncology nurse later that morning. She informed Rob & I of the numerous side effects of the specific chemotherapy I'd be receiving. Then she provided a list of meds that will help counter act the side effects. She warned me that my hair will probably fall out 10 to 14 days after my first treatment, then wrote me a script for a wig.

While Rob & I were in the waiting area of 10 East, we met three women dressed in Mexican attire. They were celebrating Cinco de Mayo at Mayo with their friend, Lisa who is also battling breast cancer. Lisa offered me some encouragement to ease my anxiety. One of the things her friend said to me, that I will hold close to my heart as I return for my next treatment - "This is a place where new friends meet."

The actual chemo treatment was painless because the needle was accessible when I had the medi-port placed the day before. I didn't even feel a needle prick. I sat back in a chair that looks like one you'd sit in for a pedicure, turned my ipod on, put my earphones in and relaxed. It took approximately one hour for them to administer the two chemo drugs (adriamycin and cytoxan)through the IV.

The following day, I had a neulasta booster shot to bolster my white blood cells. This will be part of the routine, twenty-four hours after each chemo treatment. The nurse warned me it may cause muscle aches and pains the next day. I don't remember that so much as being really fatigued by noon the next day.

The first four nights after treatment I had insomnia. WIDE AWAKE until about 3 am. I guess this is a common side effect of chemo and the anti-nausea meds. You trade one thing for another. I'd rather be awake in the middle of the night then puking any day. For me, I'd say it's a good trade off.

Today, it's been one week since that first treatment, I am pleased to say that the side effects have been manageable so far. They loaded me up with anti-nausea meds through my IV before I left Mayo and sent me home with some to take for the first four days. I'm learning it's best to "graze" a little bit throughout the day vs. eating larger meals and constantly drink small portions of water all day long. There have been moments of muscle & joint aches, pains and fatigue that totally wipes me out - basically my body is screaming at me - "You MUST rest NOW!" then I do.

Lord Jesus, I thank you that the side effects of the chemo therapy have been manageable so far. I give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His faithful love endures forever. How can I praise Him enough? (Psalm 106:1-2)