The picture on the Left is me taking a nap and receiving some of my medication.
The picture on the Right is me and my doctor, Dr. Tolentino.
Right now I'm still at the Cancer Institute receiving Chemo. It has been a very long and hard day. We got to the doctor's office at 9:00am and then met with the doctor for an update on my situation. We then got the results back from Mayo on the biopsy and they confirmed my diagnosis. Finally I found out from the doctor that I have to take a shot every month called Lupron to help protect my ovaries- Oh great another shot :(
After meeting with the doctor, the nurses began to prepare everything for the Chemo. Since I did not want a port, the nurses had to put an IV in me. Administering an IV can be difficult at times because finding an obvious vein can be challenging. We had a hard time this morning and the nurses had to poke me three different times!! Needless to say I have a few different bruises all over my hand. So I am wondering if anyone out there who has undergone Chemo and can give me recommendations to whether to have or not have a port to administer the Chemo.
Once we got the IV going I started to receive several different medications to help with some of the side effects from the Chemo. Everything from Tylenol to steroids to Bendrayl. We actually began the Chemo at around 11:30am. The doctor says I will probably be here for 6 hours.
Then around 2:30pm, I noticed I was having a hard time breathing and that my throat was beginning to close off slightly, with what felt like mucus. My throat also felt scratchy and uncomfortable, so I let the nurse know and she thought we should take a slight break from the Rituxan. She thought these were signs of some of the possible side effects and that my body was getting overwhelmed. Finally after 10 minutes my body began to feel better and we started the Rituxan back up, just at a slower rate.
So this whole experience has been a learning adventure. It feels so weird to just sit here for hours with an IV and medicine. I hope my body is strong enough to take these drugs and fight off the Lymphoma. This whole process is an emotional rollercoster with high and low drops. I am lucky to have such a great support system with me during this difficult time.
Please check your kdlt email for an opinion. :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on getting treatment underway! As hard as it is, you are that much closer to being done with it!
ReplyDeleteGirl you are tough..so go kick some Lymphoma butt
ReplyDeleteHello Danielle,
ReplyDeleteI briefly met you at Monks with the Synergy event. I was informed that you are currently undergoing chemo. I recently went through six months of chemotherapy myself. I have been in remission for the last year and a half. To answer the question on your blog about whether you should use a port, I personally recommend it. It took a little getting use to and the scar is almost unnoticeable. The port is used for the IV needle during treatment. The tube of the port is directed into the vena cava, which is the large vein that goes into the heart and then the chemo is dispersed through the body. It also prevents the veins in your arm from getting poked several times, which can be painful and cause veins to collapse.
Best Wishes,
Sonja
just watched your first update on the morning newscast.
ReplyDeleteso it begins...
'Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.' -- M. Kathleen Casey
Hi Danielle,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Carolyn and I'm a friend of a fiend of a friend (or something like that). Less than a month ago I found out I have Hodgkin's and just last Thursday I had my second chemo. I have a PICC line in my arm that the chemo is given through. I wasn't really given a choice, but I think it's the best alternative - rather than an IV every time or a port in the chest (which from what I've heard the skin grows over between chemos). The major downside to the PICC line is you can't get it wet - I already am really looking forward to a shower without clingwrap, rubberbands and duct tape.
Thanks for blogging about your experience - I'm sure it's theraputic for you, too. Good luck!!!
~Carolyn
I am reading your blog with my mother, who just finished chemo for breast cancer, and my boyfried, whose brother went through treatment for -t cell lymphoma. From what I have learned about cancer from their experiences, it sounds like the port makes things easier. My mom found that they never had to try more than once to access the port - and you can put numbing medicine on the port so you can't feel the pain. It can make tests and blood work easier. You know it's there, but it's worth it. They did not have any pain because of the port. Both of these cancer surviors recommend the port. Our thoughts are with you & I hope that you make the decision that is right for you. Stay strong even when your body is feeling weak!
ReplyDelete