Chemo #1 done, 5 to go. It was an interesting day for sure. I had the port put in on Tuesday and it was still very sore around the incision, so I was a little nervous about the nurse putting a needle in the port. But, it was fine, just a little prick, and then I didn't feel anything else around the site at all. (Last time I had to hold my arm up in the air to make my catheter work. I didn't want to do that again.) I was told the appointment would take 2 1/2 hours, it took 4 hours. (I definitely did not bring enough snacks for 4 hours that included lunch time.) I asked the nurse if it would be that long the next time and she thought it might be 3 hours plus. They were a little slow in getting things started because I guess the computer wasn't updated on me or something. The first hour of IV's were all the preventive medicines, benedryl, a steroid, and 2 anti nausea drugs. Then they have to wait 30 minutes after all of those to even start the 2 chemo drugs, which take another 1 and 1/2 hours. I guess that's where the 2 1/2 hours come in, but that doesn't allow any extra time that is always spent at a medical establishment for whatever. Feel fine so far, but I will be taking anti-nausea medicine at bedtime and that may cause drowsiness, among other things - just not nausea. Oh my, one drug to counteract another drug to counteract another drug and on and on....
I found a small lump in my left breast (right breast was removed 10 years ago) the end of May. It was so small that the doctor and surgeon I consulted couldn't feel it. But, a biopsy was done, and despite it's tiny-ness, the lab results showed that it was indeed cancerous. Ahh, goodie, more surgery. I had a lumpectomy this time since it was so small, and just a few lymph nodes removed, so it was overall a much easier surgery than 10 years ago. One good thing, the lymph nodes were clear, no cancer there. Not as good, the cancer was not hormone receptor positive, which meant chemo and radiation again. Had it been hormone receptor positive, I would have had radiation and then taken estrogen blockers for a few years. But, that's not where I am, so it does no good to dwell on the "what if's" and the "if only-s". It is what it is, and I will do what I need to do.
Last time I had a catheter, not a port. The port is very interesting, being totally under the skin. It feels like a foreign object (which it is) trying to fit where it doesn't belong. I have had more pain with this very minor surgery to place the port, than I did with the lumpectomy. Yesterday I wondered how I was going to get through chemo if my chest hurt. But, my chest didn't hurt as much and it was all fine. It was the 4 hour stay I wasn't expecting and was not prepared for. Thank goodness they have free wi-fi so I can use my tablet and pass the time, along with some other things. I also took a short nap as the benedryl knocked me out for awhile. I will be better prepared with food in 3 weeks. Yes, chemo is every 3 weeks. If it is like last time, I will feel fine the day of chemo, not so good for a day or two after chemo, then my white blood cells will be low for a week so I have to be careful what I eat, where I go, etc. so as not to get an infection. Then just before it's time to have another chemo, I'll feel great!!! It truly is a cycle. But, if all goes well, it is doable and still have a life (besides being in a medical establishment and resting in bed) and that is what I'm aiming for. It helps to maintain a sense of humor, which I try to do.
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