This morning, I am going for my Port-A-Cath insertion, which means: Commencement of phase two in the FBC fight. What is a Port-A-Cath? As you may recall from a previous post, a Port-A-Cath is a device that facilitates the administration of chemotherapy into the venous system (i.e., into my veins). It is a fabulous gadget that is used to make the administration of chemotherapy and blood draws easier. It can also reduce the risk of certain chemotherapy caused side effects. This device will be placed under my skin, in the upper part of my chest (though some people have it placed in the arm). Why have one? Because there is greater blood flow through the central veins than through the peripheral veins (i.e. in the arms, hands, legs and feet), chemotherapy can be administered through the central lines with less risk of causing chemical phlebitis (inflammation of a vein). How is …
The Port-A-Cath Insertion went very smoothly. A SL to the day! Let’s just say that with some good medication: Fentanyl (a potent narcotic analgesic) and Versed (to cause drowsiness, relieve anxiety, and prevent any memory of the event), we give the Brookside BUZZ a whole new meaning. :–) After the procedure, The Husband even took me out to lunch where I had the most glorious, wonderful and over-the-top surprise! Now, it is time for a snooze….
Chemotherapy begins on Monday, the 27th. 3 days. FFS (For F**k’s Sake). I’m feeling a little anxious. Scared, I’m not. I’m anxious about how my physical body is going to react to the medications. There are several things that I have done this week to prepare for my first dose of chemotherapy: #1. The first of which was an appointment with my Palliative Care Team. Why do I need to see them (some people will continue to ask)? Well, because THEY were the ones who brilliantly attacked and solved my relentless pain and outrageous constipation issues. …and THEY are part of the team! As a Palliative Care Nurse myself, I’d like to reiterate exactly why I have Palliative Care as part of my team. The goal of palliative care is to relieve the pain, symptoms and stress of any serious illness, including FBC. Additionally, palliative care strives to …
Tomorrow is the first day of chemotherapy. WTF? Did I really just write that? Really? Seems so surreal. Two messages from friends keep going through my mind: We. Can. Do. This. All you have to do is B R E A T H E. I’ll take the liberty (because I can) of adding: Focus on looking for and finding SL’s (silver linings)! I’m ready, cognitively, but am feeling a little nervous (scared is way too strong of a word). After you read about all of the side effects, you will understand why. As a practicing nurse, I have seen all of these side effects first hand and let me tell you (when side effects are not properly managed): they ain’t pretty. The good, no great, news is that I have an incredible team with whom I am working. I feel safe, secure and incredibly well cared for (SL!). I know …
This morning, I was the first patient this morning at the Santa Barbara Cancer Center. Bright and early. I was nervous, really, really nervous. At the reception desk, I was given a pink questionnaire (at least it’s my favorite color!) asking me about any symptoms I am currently experiencing. Apparently I will have to do this before every chemotherapy infusion. Then I was escorted to the Treatment Room. It is a beautiful, spacious and calm place (one of the reasons we chose the Santa Barbara Cancer Center). Sitting in a chemotherapy administration room means that I’m officially into the next phase next of FBC. Three nurses introduced themselves. All were very welcoming and kind. I even had my pick of chairs. Whoo-Hoo! The nurses already knew that I’m a nurse. This type of knowledge goes a long way. There is an inherent professional connection, communication and respect for one of your …
This morning is a new day. The sun is shining. Time for Chemotherapy 1st Cycle, Round 2. Today is going to be a good day! I just know it… After my trial run yesterday, I woke up feeling so much more calm and confident this morning. Here is how this morning is going…writing to you live from the chemo chair. Let’s just say that it’s a whole new and wonderful day! This morning before I left, I took three medications: Ativan to relieve anxiety. This drug is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. It works by slowing activity in the brain to allow for relaxation. The nurses jokingly call it “Vitamin A” because it is so effective at calming anxiety. Emend. Most drugs designed to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting block the nausea signals from your stomach. But chemotherapy can affect both the stomach and the brain. So even …
Today, I have to tell you is a tough, tough day. I just feel F-Bomb rotten. Thanks to the Decadron, when I looked in the mirror this morning, my face was so red & flushed that I look like I spent the day on the beach in Boca (in July!) sans sunscreen. Ewwwwww!! AND….despite taking all of the prescribed ant-emetics, I still want to heave. My mind is going in circles without formulating a single cohesive thought (great time to post, huh?). The thought of moving my big toe to start the process of standing up is well, exhausting. Can I just say: FBC? So, the ONLY thing in the world that could distract me from this abominable nausea was a Fairy and a good dose of Jack Bauer. Yes, Jack Bauer as in ’24′ (DUH). I figured that if he got me through the incessant nausea of pregnancy (which …
Thanks to Decadron, I am up again in the middle of the night (again) and I thought I’d offload some of the random musings in my nutty-spinning-mushy-feeling brain. As you may recall, Decadron is used: To treat or prevent (potential) allergic reactions to chemotherapy. To treat nausea and vomiting associated with some chemotherapy drugs. To stimulate appetite in cancer patients. However, some of the unsavory side effects are: Headache (Check) Dizziness (Check) Insomnia (Check-Check) Restlnessness (Check-Check-Check) Anxiety (Check) Acne (No. C’mon. Really?) One SL (silver lining) to this night is that I’ve been able to sleep for several hours (I think I dozed off at about 8:30 pm, so 5 1/2 hours in a ROW is fantastic)…AND (added SL) I woke up dreaming about Tennis! I dreamed that I was playing with my tennis coach (who happens to be pregnant and at the beginning of her pregnancy, referred to herself as …
Many people have asked questions about the timing of my chemo schedule and testing (thanks for caring and being interested!). So, I thought I’d lay it out for you to show you exactly what the plan is. May I diverge for a minute? Speaking of schedules (and schedule-keeping), I have to confess that the last 2 months of 2010, I tried to enter the seemingly omnipresent world of electronic scheduling. I tried, actually fully committed to being hip and cool by using the calendar function on my iPad and MacBook Air. What a disaster! The schedules were never in sync and events would get mysteriously “deleted” (despite multiple calls to Apple Support and visits to the Apple Store). ….and then there were the days when I accidentally forgot (happens with alarming regularity with FBC!) to charge my device on-hand, which meant that I had NO access to my calendar and …
Today, The Husband and I are in LA for an appointment with my plastic surgeon (lady lumps still looking good, by the way!) and to do some FBC errands. Sounds nice, right? A little sleepover getaway. Could it possibly be that easy breezy? Naaaaaaaah. Not a chance. As you all may remember (or willfully have forgotten), after my surgery, I had some major (MAJOR) plumbing problems….as in non-function. Total shutdown. Zippo Action. NOW, I have the opposite problem. O P P O S I T E. I know, it’s unbelievable. I could’t possibly make this shit (pun intended) up! I used to go 3000 miles before needing a commode and now I can’t go three blocks. I used to be a scratch shopper in Beverly Hills, but now all I look for is the universal sign for restroom. I’ve even learned the word in multiple languages (to save time, which …
