1st Chemo Treatment

Hi all,
Phew...glad to be sitting here with the first chemo experience behind me and it is so crazy to think that such strong medicine is coursing through my veins.  C-R-A-Z-Y but like I told my students the medicines are a blessing because it give me kind of like an insurance policy to keep recurrence at bay.

Well, I can tell this post will be a long one because I want to journal it....but also fully describe it for a future friend or anyone who will go down this path.  So, if you're thinking...ugh...."I hate long posts..." I totally understand.  Sorry :)

You know that saying, "I'm going to be late to my own funeral?" .....wellllllll.  We left a little late to get to the appointment on time....our time was 10:00 am.  So, I was thinking about that quote as we backed out of the driveway.  But then, as we got almost to SCOA (South Carolina Oncology Associates), Charles just happened to roll down his window, and there was a strange sound.  I said, "What was that?" and he said he thought it was a motorcycle.  I looked around but didn't see one...and then that was when we realized it was a FLAT TIRE.  

So we got out and couldn't believe just how flat the tire was!  Wow.   I usually have the paperwork in my lap so that I can be ready ready when it is time to get out of the car.  My friend Sharon taught me that.  She also helped me graduate from college (little bit of an exxageration...but not much). 

I reached into my pocketbook to find..............................................................................................
....................................not my cell phone.......................but, my camera.  HA!  This blog post was born there in an abandoned parking lot.  I snapped a few shots and then got serious about figuring out how to get to the treatment place.  As a country girl who grew up on dirt roads and knew there were tons of family to help with all transportation problems, calling a Taxi is absolutely just not in my brain as an option.  So, I called to ask if SCOA had a shuttle (because of a picture and explanation on their website).  But, turns out that I misunderstood.....so, I called  a Checker Yellow Cab.....I lucked out and got the most vivacious driver in the fleet.  NOT.  I laughed at my county bumpkin' self as I opened the door and said, "Hi there!" in a chipper voice which was met by a thud.  But, thankfully, he knew how to get to SCOA and all was well.  Charles was staying behind with the car while AAA came to help since I didn't have a jack in my car for some reason.  So......anyway, I made it to the place....waited in a long line to register....and then went downstairs to the Infusion Reception area. 

     First step was lab work....just one stick and quick and it was over.  Then more sitting and waiting.
During that wait time, I talked with the lady beside me who happened to be a mom of a 5th grader at my school....she was there with a family member.  Nice family.   Then a lady who was wearing a beautiful wig came down and asked about my quilt....and made nice conversation.  She's been through a great deal during her three years of treatments.  I thought that was so nice that she came down to talk with me...especially because so many times the people in waiting rooms look like robots....

     Then, get weighed - ugh - and have your blood pressure taken....then you're escorted back to a recliner in the area that your nurse team services......kind of like a waitress's area in a restaurant.  They were very kind to Charles...and tried hard to make him feel comfortable, too. 

I'm holding cards made by Mrs. Dixon's
class and my Lucky Duck given to me by
Carla Lowder and enjoying my quilt
made by Martha Stuart Wiseman.

      "Accessing my port" (euphemism) was a scary little moment for me, but she did it quickly.  I just have a weak mentality when it comes to all these needles and procedures.   So, it took me a while to look down and check it out.  It was fine.  But relief came immediately because that part was over....a part that I had dreaded...I teared up because I was relieved, but also so happy that Dusty is the kind of nurse she is.....she said everything right and was so fun and so comforting.

    Charles was amazed that Dusty was able to access the port as quickly and easily as she did and he told her that.  She said that she purposely waited until after she finised to tell us that this was her first time ever doing chemotherapy.  She said that last night, she was working at Waffle House.  

     She has the perfect temperment to do what she does.

     My nurses are Dusty and Ann.  Dusty did all my stuff for me today and she is skilled and funny and wonderful.....funny....so funny.  She sat with us for a little while at the beginning and went over important and helpful details....let me ask questions, etc.  The first bag of fluids on my Infusion Pole was saline....nothing special there..........then Ativan....and then it was alllllll different after that.  I'll have to look back again about that medicine, but I believe it was for nausea and maybe anxiety.  It quickly had an effect on me and I was able to go to sleep easily.  That was wonderful!!!!  I had my two quilts (Jakki and Tanja made me amazing quilts) and a recliner and just let my basket full of thank you notes and magazines sit by the way side.  I slept.  Did I mention that yet?

     Charles went and got us lunch from the cafe' upstairs....the BLT was really good!  I was thrilled.  Then, I was asleep.  Ha!  Can you tell I enjoyed that?

    So, overall, I had different medicines go through my port including nausea meds, and two chemotherapy medicines. 

     Tomorrow, before school, Charles will give me a shot called Neulasta.  If you ever see a commercial for it on TV, please watch the entire thing.  Because I think I paid for it.  The nurse explained to us that this one shot costs $8000.  She wasn't being funny then.  Eight thousand dollars.  Mercy.

     In my bag, I had so many things with me to remind me of your support....a cross that Amy Lane Germano's Daddy made--sent to me by Mrs. Lane.....and many, many other thoughtful items.  As I look at them, I can hear your voice saying you're cheering for me. 

MEANWHILE, back on the ranch.....my Doby's Mill Family all wore pink and 'fight like a girl' tshirts to show support for my first chemo treatment.  Amazing to me.  Amazing.  WOW  Thank you Betsy for putting together this collage!!!  I love it.
    



Doby's Mill Elementary "PINK OUT" on my 1st Chemotherapy Treatment Day
May 18, 2011