Three more to go.
I believe that a sign of maturity is being able to admit when you're wrong. I was wrong about the port: it is a life saver. What a relief it was to go in and not have to be poked and stuck a gazillion times! Marie just sprayed on some skin-freezing stuff and then, in one fast, clean action, put in the special port-accessing needle. Didn't even hurt, not then, not later. It was awesome.
The port was accessed first thing in the morning, so they could draw some blood, and then we (Jason was with me this time) went back to see the doctor and nurse practitioner. My red blood cell count was a bit low, so they started me on a drug (Aranesp) to boost it - a shot they give me every other week, right after chemo.
After the examination, we walked back again to the chemo area and this time got a special room with a bed! How luxurious! After the pre-meds (including Benadryl), Marie started the Taxol drip very s-l-o-w-l-y because of the possibility of an allergic reaction. Over the next 15 or 20 minutes, she sat there, watching me, and gradually increased the rate of the drip until it was up to normal speed. From then, it was another three hours. Zzzzz.
And then it was over. Marie pulled out the port needle in one whoosh. Besides being sleepy and having a bit of tummy turmoil, I was fine. This morning, I feel pretty good. Now I just have to wait and see what, if any, side effects the Taxol will bring to me. There are some fun ones. Please please please let them pass me by!
The port was accessed first thing in the morning, so they could draw some blood, and then we (Jason was with me this time) went back to see the doctor and nurse practitioner. My red blood cell count was a bit low, so they started me on a drug (Aranesp) to boost it - a shot they give me every other week, right after chemo.
After the examination, we walked back again to the chemo area and this time got a special room with a bed! How luxurious! After the pre-meds (including Benadryl), Marie started the Taxol drip very s-l-o-w-l-y because of the possibility of an allergic reaction. Over the next 15 or 20 minutes, she sat there, watching me, and gradually increased the rate of the drip until it was up to normal speed. From then, it was another three hours. Zzzzz.
And then it was over. Marie pulled out the port needle in one whoosh. Besides being sleepy and having a bit of tummy turmoil, I was fine. This morning, I feel pretty good. Now I just have to wait and see what, if any, side effects the Taxol will bring to me. There are some fun ones. Please please please let them pass me by!
posted by Rachel Troxell at 7:53 AM
4 Comments:
As they say, "From you lips(or blog) to God's ear"!! We're with you for the count down!
Rachel, you're on an adventure into the unknown. You've got a great captain and crew and there are friends along the coast waving and blessing your voyage.
A friend just turned me on to your blog, and I will stay tuned. I, similar to you, am looking at 35 as the birthday after I had cancer; I spent this summer being treated for thyroid cancer. Of course, I also spent the last few months telling people "that it isn't a real cancer. I mean, it isn't, like, say, breast cancer". I had it much easier than you are having it now.
Which makes your positive attitude amazing. 'Cause mine was lousy. :)
Good luck, and keep the scar well moisturized and protected from the sun--that aids healing.
A friend just turned me on to your blog, and I will stay tuned. I, similar to you, am looking at 35 as the birthday after I had cancer; I spent this summer being treated for thyroid cancer. Of course, I also spent the last few months telling people "that it isn't a real cancer. I mean, it isn't, like, say, breast cancer". I had it much easier than you are having it now.
Which makes your positive attitude amazing. 'Cause mine was lousy. :)
Good luck, and keep the scar well moisturized and protected from the sun--that helps to minimize scarring.
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