I arrive at 8am and like most doctors offices, there is a bit of a wait before they call me back. Once I’m back, they weigh me, take my vitals and draw my blood. We get the results from the blood work within 30 minutes.
This week I wasn’t sure if they were going to delay chemo or not. Because of the crazy allergy/sinus thing I’ve been fighting. My temp was slightly elevated. Nothing that we would normally bat an eye at, but since chemo has a way of killing your immune system, it’s something that peaks their interest. This is also one of the reasons they do the weekly blood draws. Thankfully, everything came back looking great and despite the sniffles, I was cleared.
We actually squeezed radiation in while we were waiting for my blood work. It doesn’t always work that way. Even though my radiation appointments are scheduled Monday thru Friday at 8:15, chemo takes precedence. Usually, chemo gets me hooked up and radiation will come find me when they have an opening.
The first thing that happens is they hydrate me. Chemo has a way of being pretty tough on your kidneys, so a lot of what eats up time is to help combat that. So, we start with two hours of good ol’ saline. They also run magnesium and potassium during this time. They are two big things that get depleted during the chemo process.
After all of that is done, we move onto a steroid, a short term anti-nausea med, a long-term nausea med, (which actually makes me nauseas. Good thing lunch is served right about this time) followed by an actual med to help protect the kidneys even more. These all take between 15-20 minutes each to deliver thru my pic line. Then it’s onto chemo. This takes about an hour. Once that is done, we do another hour of saline and then I’m free.
The Karmanos center in Lapeer is beautiful. They’ve done a fabulous job of making you as comfortable as possible. This includes the chemo room. It overlooks a beautiful garden. That’s an assumption at this point. Until the never-ending winter is over and things start blooming, it’s just as brown as everywhere else. But it is filled with lots of wildlife-geese, deer, pigeons, a blue jay or two and even a raccoon. **Note to self: bring your camera. The animals are close, but not close enough to get a great photo on your phone.**
We also get weekly visits from Suzie, the therapy dog. She’s a five year old Labradoodle, who would love to steal your lunch if given opportunity. She’s a sweet girl.
About the time I’m leaving, I start to feel some side effects. They’re so minimal I hate to really mention them. (Prayer works!) It’s really almost how I feel when I take a good cold medicine-slightly woozy and ready for a nap. As the night goes on, I start to get “chemo brain”. I forget what I was going to say mid-sentence. I struggle to think of a word, sometimes almost stuttering. Then I get REALLY tired. This week it seemed better than last. But it’s still one of those “tireds” where it would be a difficult choice to get out of the recliner or flee my burning house.
Thank you for the continued prayers and cards. Oh my, the cards!!! They have quickly filled up a shoe box. I’m working on getting thank you’s out. But until then, I want everyone to know that they have been received and I’m am overly appreciative.
Please also, continue to pray for:
*Minimal Side effects
*Witnessing opportunities
*For us to stay healthy
*Finally, a good report at the end of this. Week 6, I will follow up with my surgeon and have another MRI or PET scan. This is protocol. And even though the surgery did remove all the cancer, there is still a little bit of anxiety until you get the official “all clear”.
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”
Colossians 3:15