1 down, 3 to go

[Guest guest]

at least in this phase of treatment. First treatment went okay. Was not prepared for the port insertion, however. Unfortunately, they did it without any numbing meds and the surgeon put it a little too far under the skin. Next time they will do that a little different (numbing meds and a longer needle and lying me a little flatter) and hopeful I won't hit the nurse (actually only pushed her hand away). Did the push on the first part, Adriamycin and a drip on the second, Cytoxan and was home by 1 pm. The headache started about the time the last drip was done. By 10:30 pm, dh had me in the ER (after trying some things my onc suggested, finally sending me to ER) where we were until 4:30 am trying to get the nausea and headache under control. They wanted to give me dilautin (sp) but that is what caused me to throw up and a big headache after the mastectomy so I wouldn't let them. Eventually they started me on morphine and kept giving that to me with no help. After about 3-4 shots my headache lessoned, I got more nausea meds, benedryl and some pain enhancer and was sent home. Needless to say, by the time I got out of there I could hardly walk, dh had to hold me up and get me into bed. It was beddy-by for both of us most of the day until the Neulasta shot. Have been okay since then, just tired, not eating too much. Many have talked about the metal taste in your mouth, which I am getting, but had a real hard time trying to drink lots of water... it tasted sweet. Anyone have that problem? I just feel tired and warn out and luckily do not have to do anything important until Monday. Then I'm back on taking care of grandson and getting him to therapy. But he's 6 and quite the helper... just can't drive the car as yet.

Hope others who started on Thursday did okay and things are going well for you. I think there were several of us. Hope we'll hear from you as well when you are up to it.

Barb