We were equipped with Prednisone, Zofran, Compazine, Ativan, and EMLA cream. I took the prednisone and applied the EMLA cream Tuesday morning as directed. We went to see my doctor for the pre-chemo appointment. My heart scan and bone marrow biopsy were both fine. With all of the data in hand, they could now say that my cancer is stage II. With no additional questions to ask at this point, we got sent downstairs to the infusion center to start treatment.
For the first cycle, the treatment is split in two, so Tuesday was adriamycin, vincristine, and cytoxan. Port access was super easy and I had no real problems with the infusions. I did experience a completely normal but very weird feeling side effect from the cytoxan - it was like getting injected with a head cold. Over the span of about 5 minutes, my sinuses started to tingle, my eyes started to water, my nose started to run, and I started to sneeze. They gave me tylenol and it didn't last very long, but it was strange. Overall, we left feeling pretty good. I was quite hungry when we got home, so I ate leftover chinese food for lunch (and I regret this decision) then laid down for a nap since I was getting tired. I woke up feeling terrible. Despite throwing every drug they had given me at my system, I spent the rest of the afternoon feeling terribly nauseous. And then I spent the evening throwing up. Fun times.
After finally managing a little sleep, I called my doctor's office Wednesday morning to let them know about the vomiting and that the Zofran and Compazine weren't helping at all. I was seeing slight relief from the Ativan, so they decided to continue with the Ativan but switch over to Kytril. I couldn't take my prednisone in the morning since I couldn't keep anything down, so when I got in on Wednesday, they started me off with saline, Kytril, and steroids in the IV. I started to feel better and was able to get in a nice nap.
Now, on to the Rituxan. There is the highest risk for adverse reactions the first time they give Rituxan, so they do a very slow infusion separate from the other drugs. If tolerated well, it gets combined in the next cycles. Good news here is that I didn't seem to have any issues with it. I also got my Neulasta shot yesterday, which should help keep my white blood cell counts up. The main side effect there is bone pain, but the prednisone should help with that. And apparently taking a claritin and an aleve helps as well - whatever works.
Last night was better - I ate somewhat of a real dinner and got a solid 4.5 hours of sleep before waking up uncomfortable and slightly nauseous. Only one real bout of vomiting before my stomach seemed to settle. I managed a breakfast of applesause and toast and kept the prednisone down. Because of all the issues I had been having, they wanted me to come back in for hydration today. So another ~2 hour session getting saline pumped into me, accompanied by a brief nap. Not too bad. I've managed to get a bit more food in me this evening, and am feeling okay, albeit very tired.
And now we get some time off - yes!
So even though we had hoped for a smoother first treatment, here are my highlights:
Positive #1: the port has been worth it already. Not only is it super easy for them to access, but both of my arms are free for reading, eating, going to the bathroom, etc. Little things like adjusting yourself in the chair are much easier when your IV is in your chest, not your arm. Plus, trying to get an IV in when you are dehydrated is never fun, so we didn't have to deal with that.
Positive #2: my medical team is great. They were quick to change course when things weren't working for me and have seemed to identify a much better option. The nurses in the infusion center are just fantastic - even the one less-friendly one is still quite nice. Mary is my favorite - she helped with my bone marrow biopsy, so I already knew her a little bit, and she has been taking such good care of me.
Positive #3: the kindness from friends and family. I have been getting notes of support from across the world. Beautiful flowers and delicious candy have shown up at my door. Pictures of people sporting awesome new short hairdos are coming across my Facebook feed. I feel incredibly loved.
Positive #4: the kindness of total strangers. I have already received not one but two care bags while in the infusion center, full of goodies like a cowl scarf, a hat, a blanket, a rice heating pad, hand sanitizer, tissues, candies, and more. These bags are filled by people who have been patients in the past, or the children of patients, or local charity groups. Yesterday, a man came through the unit playing guitar. And there was a super sweet therapy dog who visited as well. All these things have absolutely made me smile.
Positive #5: we can get through this. This was rough - no doubt about it, and we still don't now how my body will hold up to this over the weeks. But we've got better meds for the nausea now, and hopefully any fatigue and aches will be minor. If not, I'll just get really good at napping again :)
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