The day starts with a blood test to check all your lab numbers to make sure you are healthy enough for treatment. Usually, this is done through my chest port, but today it was an arm draw. Of course, the first arm didn’t give any blood so both arms were stuck. They said I’m developing a lot of scar tissue in my arms from needles, so I'm hoping this doesn’t become a problem. Usually, I’d go to see my oncology nurse and discuss my numbers and any blood cell boosting shots that may be needed after treatment but seeing that this is my first treatment for this phase, it wasn’t needed.
Next, it’s up to the oncology floor for treatment. The first thing they do is access your chest port. No matter how many times it has been accessed, it still creates a little anxiety seeing/feeling a needle that big go into your chest. I was first infused with steroids and an anti-nausea med, second infusion was the new immunotherapy drug, third was more premeds for chemo, and fourth was a new chemo drug. The whole infusion process took about 3 hours, and I just sat in my little chemo room, with my parents, bundled in my chair and cozy blanket. It is weird to witness nurses protecting their whole bodies from having any accidental contact with the toxic chemo drug that is literally being injected directly into my veins near my heart.
Lastly, I was hooked up to the final drug (conveniently named 5FU) and it infuses through my body over the next 48 hours. I have to wear this amazingly, aesthetic, blue bag at all times until I get disconnected in two days.
The chemo meds used for the 8 treatments before my surgery caused permanent neuropathy in my hands and feet. The new chemo plan I am on switched out a few drugs to minimize the chance of any worsening neuropathy. The most common side effects this time around are extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, etc. I'm praying the meds do their job and my body is strong enough to handle the meds for as long as needed. As a bonus, I'm hoping to be in the 50 percent that doesn't lose their hair this time. But, I’ll happily give up my hair for healing if needed.
