A very nice nurse came to get me. Agustin and Margie went with me. Later Ruthie and Kathy came. I had a private room with a bed and TV. I actually brought my computer but never wanted to bother with it. When the first needle was inserted into my port, it was hardly anything. Nurse Brenda told me she would count to 3 and then I should hold my breath. I guess it gives you something to think about while she injects the needle into the port through your skin. Sort of reminds me when William (my grandson who is diabetic) has to get his pump changed every 3 days, only his is like a stapler I think....nothing to hook on to under the skin. The first thing the nurse did was to "flush" the port. Then she drew blood right out of there which I didn't even notice until I saw it in her hand. No pain, nothing. By the way, my doc told us I had the blood of a 20 year old whatever that means:):):) Must be all that healthy organic juice I am drinking:)
Anyway, after that, the only sensation I felt as it began to work was the first bag of IV that included the Ativan. There must have been about five more bags including steroids and the last bag that went home with me.
I was so thankful for my support group being there the whole time with me. I never felt any side effects from any of the chemo that was put in but only the Ativan.
During the six hours I was there, two sweet ladies from Trinity Episcopal Church brought me a hand knit prayer shawl with a lovely prayer for me enclosed. Such and nice gesture.
So, for the last chemo which was #4, i was sent home with a pump to carry around and hopefully not to drop or get wet. So far I have done pretty well. I have dropped it bang on the floor about 3 times but pretty soon I will become used to having the long tubing dangling down. The pump is contained in a fanny pack with I would not be comfortable with since my abdomen is so swollen. I hang it on the bed post at night so don't have to worry about it falling on the floor and carry it around with me during the day.
Today has been a day of resting, wondering, just observing how I am reacting. Actually this morning I felt not "out of it" than right now. I must say that I am still very apprehensive about the side effects which are supposed to start to show "their" faces within 3 - 6 days after each treatment. My treatments will consist of every other week, coming home for 2 days with the pump, returning on the 3rd day to remove the pump and get a shot of Neulasta. Neulasta is a prescription medication used to help reduce the chance of infection due to a low white blood cell count, in people with certain types of cancer (non-myeloid), who receive anti-cancer medicines (chemotherapy) that can cause fever and low blood cell count. I also must take Claritin the morning of the shot and for 5 days after that. Not sure why:)
So, today I took one Tramadol and that is all the pain I had all day. I ate as usual, 6 small snacks or meals, drank water and juice. No side effects yet from anything really.
I also got to talk to some of my "faraway friends" on facetime which was fun and encouraging.
Lamentations 3:22-24 Good News Translation
The Lord's unfailing love and mercy still continue,
Fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise.
The Lord is all I have, and so in him I put my hope.
Neulasta®
is a prescription medication used to help reduce the chance of
infection due to a low white blood cell count, in people with certain
types of cancer (non-myeloid), who receive anti-cancer medicines
(chemotherapy) that can cause fever and low blood cell count. - See more
at:
https://www.neulasta.com/support/patient-stories/?WT.srch=1#sthash.cixlvwaX.dpuf
Neulasta®
is a prescription medication used to help reduce the chance of
infection due to a low white blood cell count, in people with certain
types of cancer (non-myeloid), who receive anti-cancer medicines
(chemotherapy) that can cause fever and low blood cell count. - See more
at:
https://www.neulasta.com/support/patient-stories/?WT.srch=1#sthash.cixlvwaX.dpuf
Neulasta®
is a prescription medication used to help reduce the chance of
infection due to a low white blood cell count, in people with certain
types of cancer (non-myeloid), who receive anti-cancer medicines
(chemotherapy) that can cause fever and low blood cell count. - See more
at:
https://www.neulasta.com/support/patient-stories/?WT.srch=1#sthash.cixlvwaX.dpuf
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