11/11/2008
Chemo session number deux today. A round of chemo for me is three weeks. The first week I receive one chemo drug (with steroids and anti-nausea meds). Week two is supposed to be the same drug as week one with a 2nd more powerful drug and the usual steriods and stuff. The third week I get to relax and recover. Then the next round starts it all over.
Today was a little bit different.....when the nurses found out about reactions last week they called the Dr. over to stare at me. He took a look at the rash and decided that we were going to skip the drug from last week and just go right to the 2nd drug. He told me to be a little less eventful and left. Then the nurses verified that I had taken the steriods yesterday and this morning prepping for this drug. Of course! I took them yesterday morning and this morning. "What about last night?" whoops. So there was another call to the Dr. to see if I could just get an IV of the steriod to make up for the missed doseage. Joe at this point has decided that he needs to read EVERYTHING that regards my treatment - I can't be trusted any longer.....
The Dr. agrees and I get set up with another round of steriod through IV. After the IV is done they start the chemo and two minutes later have to stop. The lady across the room (receiving her own chemo) says she has never seen anyone turn so red. There was a heavy weight on my chest, I thought I was going to throw up and started to get really, really hot. All of a sudden there were three nurses running at me, one of them pushing something. My first thought was it was a crash cart and I was going to protest VERY loudly that I was still awake and breathing, but it was just a blood pressure machine. As soon as they stopped the drug it started to get better. They gave me some benadryl and yes, called the Dr. At this point they started calling me trouble, but in a sweet sort of way. Since I recovered so quickly they decided to go ahead and try and finish the session, but start more slowly. After the benadryl everything went fine and the rest of the session ended without drama. The Dr. came back to stare at me some more and said that we'll need to discuss what happens next round after we see the side effects this week. So I've got that going for me! Right now the benadryl is leaving me tired, but I have to take steriods tonight which should wake me enough to keep me up until around 3am. Maybe I'll post another story....
LOVE the comments. Thanks guys!!
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16 comments:
Hey Liz - I can only hope that the doctor 'who is staring' at you, throughout all this madness, is good looking! (: I mean what the heck, there has to be a benefit to this goofiness! Hope the girls are better at playing 'doctor'! Take care my friend!
Hey Liz, fantastic job on the blog! Your sense of humor and strength through this challenge is an inspiration to everyone. Thanks for sharing your experiences and I hope you find the blog to be a rewarding tool.
Cancer is not who you are....it's what's happening to you. There will be highs and lows, with many more beautiful moments that will guide you through every step.
Much love to you and your family,
Monica
Geez, your post scared the crap out of me. I am glad to hear they got you back to "normal"! I hope you have a good week and get lots of rest.
Keep fighting!
Holly
Hi Liz,
You have a great sense of humor even though you are going through such a difficult time and not so pleasant I might add. Know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Please let us know if we can help out in any way. That means even more salsa from Pat! Take care! Love the Baileys. (Lisa and Pat)
Liz, They are suppose to entertain you, not the other way around. For some reason I thought of the girl in Willy Wonka who turns into a blueberry. No fruit for you !!!!
Next time the Dr stares at you, I dare you to do your best Three Stooges and act like you are going to poke him in the eye and yell "Yuck, yuck, yuck"
When did you start wearing glasses? I knnow with everything else going on, this isn't a big issue, but. . . .
It sounds like the reaction you has to the drugs is a lot like the one you had to snails in St. Remy, perhaps they are connected? Too bad I wasn't there to assist with my ball point pen! :-)
You are in my thoughts and prayers more than you could ever know. I know the love and support of your family will keep you strong. Please let me know if there is anything I can do -- DC isn't really that far away!
OMG - you are trouble :) Well, at least it was an eventful day and the doctor definately knows who YOU are. Joe - reading everything - this could be fun!
Let me know if you need any help or anything - these next could days of side effects could be tough.
Take care!
I thought you were just having a hot flash like I keep having!! Guess not, huh?
Great to see all the comments - what a testament to you that so many are following your blog - the number of people following keeps going up - WOO HOO! Speaks well for you there lady!
Take care of yourself!
Hi Liz - This is a great blog & a wonderful way for all of us who care SO much about you to keep up to date with what is going on. Thank you for sharing! I hope you got an A+ in Creative Writing 101 -because, you're a hoot!!
You know by now that you have a large support group - if you need ANYTHING, let us know. After being home for a year - I'm pretty good with a vacuum, broom, and toilet brush, I'm just a phone call away.
God Bless you my friend!!
Carol
Liz just dropping in to say Hi and to send prayers from NH.
SueB(friend of Karin's)
Liz,
You write exactly like you talk - I can just hear your voice as I am reading this - pretty funny.
So glad that you are keeping this blog and keeping us all posted - we are all thinking about you and you are in our prayers!
Christine Dennie
Hey Liz,
I can't help but smile, and I must admit, shed a tear or two, while reading your blog! Your wit, humor and strength are so evident in your words....! You are truly a woman to admire, but, then again, you always have been.
Mike, Nick and I would do ANYTHING for you, Joe, the girls, and of course, Ebony too. We think of you often and want you to know we're here for you! Hang in there!
Love and hugs from the Schugs :)
Liz,
I am so glad this blog found it's way to me. I had heard a rumor but couldn't get much info on it. Mr. Greven didn't bother returning my call!:)
My thoughts and prayers are with you as you go through this journey. Just from what I've read so far, you are a tough chick and are going to kick some cancer ass! I had no idea you were such a smart ass either. That will serve you well. :) I love how the doctor "stares".
You are surrounded by many many people who are in your corner. Please reach out when you need anything, an ear, a shoulder, someone to egg the doctor's house. I know you would do the same for any of us.
((((HUG)))
Melissa
Hang in there big sis. Great job on the blog! Love ya.
Hey Lizzy,
I wanted to let you know that you're in my thoughts and prayers. If anybody can beat this, you can. Keep blogging away. Thanks for sharing. Take care and let me know if there is anything that we can do.
Hi Liz: This is the 1st blog I've had the pleasure to read and I am so impressed with your attitude and strength. You make this seem like a fight with The Joker or The Penguin with humorous moments to be found through the fight. I have prayers in for you - would fight it with you if I could. But I can do the very next best thing which is to offer my services in any way you need them. Don't forget - I'm here for you and I love you and I'll do whatever I can to help.
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