First Chemotherapy Treatment-6.23.21

The last two weeks have been hurricane fast, yet painfully slow as we run from doctor to doctor and test to test. And then wait for news.

Monday, I was in Tampa at Moffitt Cancer Center getting a second opinion; yesterday they surgically implanted a port to administer chemo and other drugs, and today, I am sitting in the beautiful new Anderson Cancer Center at Jupiter Medical Center receiving my first round of chemotherapy. My mom is with me. I arrived early, met with the doctor and reviewed my case and care, and what to expect. Today’s chemo is a mixture of four drugs infused over six to seven hours.  Surprisingly, the time passed remarkably quickly. Today’s nurse, Carie, is wonderful. Very kind. Apparently, she is everyone’s favorite so I was blessed to be taken care of by everyone’s favorite nurse for the first day. The Pink Ladies (Sandy and Carol), which I call them, are hospital volunteers who come in to offer food, warm blankets and other treats. Between the nurses, the different steps of administering chemo, the Pink Ladies, my mom keeping me company, and me trying to work and keep up with my clients, the day went faster than I expected it to.

Unfortunately, I had a cholinergic reaction to one of the drugs causing a nerve response in both of my eyes, my lips, my jaw and impacted my speech but fortunately, the nurses acted quickly and treated me with IV Benadryl and other meds to reverse the effects. And now they know to give me these medicines before infusing that chemo to avoid this issue from happening again.

As I leave the hospital today. I’m feeling good. I feel accomplished that we finished the first round of treatment, despite the reaction. I’m feeling a little tired but nothing unmanageable and am going home with an infusion pump with another type of chemo being administered over the next 46 hours.

I’m definitely moving slower and am doing less but I’m not going to let this keep me down. I’m taking this one day at a time. For now, I’m working hard to keep my anger and fear buried so I can focus on getting through my treatment. My #1 goal is shrinking my liver tumors. All of my energy is directed at that. I don’t have time to expend energy on any other emotions right now. I need to keep my game face on so that I can ask the right questions and get the quality answers I’m looking for.

Next up, I get the infusion pump removed, fluids and nausea meds on Friday. Then Sunday is a shot to increase my white blood cell count which is key to fighting infection. On Wednesday, I get IV iron to fight anemia. Then, the following Wednesday, July 7, the entire process starts over again.

I appreciate every well wish, pray, note, card, text, phone call, post… every little bit makes me feel loved and encourages me. Keep them coming. I may not always have the time or energy to respond but I read every message and feel your presence.

Hugs,

Angela