Just a short note to tell you I am doing JUST fine with no side effects thus far....
1 down and 11 to go. All went very smoothly and took 5 hours. I saw Dr. Hantel first and he went over my results of the blood work and echo cardiogram. All were great. He explained the side effects I may experience and probably down the line as my treatments continue they will show their ugly face. He said I may not have the mouth sores I was afraid of nor the nails falling off...with that news I was relieved already. I will be seeing Dr. Hantel every third week of treatments. I AM ready to start the treatments.
They put Ron & I in a private room because the nurse had to explain the treatments, the medicines, and the side effects. They have another nurse double check the medications they give me as well as in the lab it is checked twice. I feel secure in the fact that they will not make any mistakes. It was not extremely busy in the rooms, she said they usually come in the morning and get their treatments done and continue their days. I moved the day to Tues mornings as that is best for Ron's schedule. The medicines did not affect me at all, but I could tell when the benedryl was pushed through cuz I got tired, but did not sleep. Ron and I talked most of the time, then he put on a DVD of Al Cappone. Ask me any questions about him, I may have the answers. haha
The staff makes you feel very comfortable and the nurse even had me get up and see the sunset today...it was beautiful!!! A volunteer and her dog came to visit me as well. There are numerous classes such as nutrition, yoga, and reike classes and many informational resources available to me. I plan on registering several of the classes.
I feel I am in very good hands at the Cancer Center in Naperville. I saw a lady today complete her 12th chemo and it was her birthday, she had several people with her and there must have been a party because I got one of the cupcakes, double chocolate yum. I later found out that "this lady" was one of Chris' friend's mom....smalll world.
As you can see I feel great today and hope for a great week. I will probably start working out on Ron's elliptical this month then hopefully get back in the gym I joined in May.
Thanks for all the concern and prayers.
Joanie,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear you're coming through like a champ! It's amazing what we can make ourselves afraid of - what stories we can convince ourselves are true, only to find out that they don't have to be.
We watch movies where people go through chemo, and within the first week, they're sick, losing their hair, turning colors, growing eyeballs on th-- wait, that's The Fly with Jeff Goldbloom. My mistake.
The point is, we all get so inundated with bad news, and negative stories about what MIGHT happen, that we sometimes feel too suffocated to breathe in the possibility that everything will go smoothly.
Take a deep breath, Joanie. You're on quite a journey, and you're incredibly powerful, resilient, and connected. Keep laughing, connecting, and loving, and I promise you, this will be nothing more than a memory in no time.
Keep healing, and keep posting here!
Here's to your recovery!
Stay brilliant,
Blake