Post Chemo: Day 2

Dr. Bridges said chemo day is "Day 1" so now I've just about made it through Day 2 now.  I'm still feeling good, which is what the doctor, nurses, and pharmacist all predicted.  Dr. Bridges said Day 4 is likely the first real down day on this regimen.  The nurses and pharmacist all said it could be sooner than that though.  Wait and see... how many times am I going to type those words?

I had my first Neulasta shot this afternoon.  That went well, and I could barely feel it.  The nurse who gave me the shot had some more good ideas about dealing with nausea (mint or ginger flavored water, hard candies, etc) and starting to take a probiotic since the chemo drugs are going to kill all the "good" stuff in my gut.  Teresa, my nurse from yesterday also stopped to say hello and ask how I was doing.  I was a little tired when I came home and so I did lay down and rest for a a bit before getting Bryce.  Dawn and I had planned to take a walk (sans children) this evening but time kind of slipped away from us so hopefully tomorrow.

I think I've drank almost 5 liters (or more) of water today.

Is it possible I could have chemo-brain already?  No, I really don't think so, it's probably just more like one-million-things-on-your-mind brain, but today I sent a text to Beth in which I misspelled pretty much every single word (I blame auto-correct!), then I didn't get in the turn lane to go the hospital for my shot and had to turn around (I was talking to my grandma at the time), and then I put my pajamas on backwards and didn't even notice for several minutes (I have absolutely no excuse, although I will admit, it's actually not the first time).  We decided Juan has it too... he took Claire to the bus stop 15 minutes late and thus had to drive her to school (she was still on time though). 

I still don't have my prescription for the Zofran, I called the pharmacy who said they hadn't heard back from the doctor, so I called MSTI.  The nurse who called me back said the hold up is getting pre-authorization from my insurance company.  Everything has been submitted, so now we are just waiting for them.  She said not to worry, it will definitely be authorized since, after all, I am going through chemo.  No question it is medically necessary.  However, sometimes they aren't as speedy as you would hope.  As a back-up plan if they still haven't come through tomorrow I can get a starter dose of pills through the MSTI pharmacy for about $1 per pill so I could at least have a few on hand so I'm prepared.

My port spot is a little sore, mostly just if I move in certain ways (note to self: stop folding clothes).  I suppose it's from having the needle in it yesterday and also that it hasn't even been in there a week so everything is still healing.  Also, I may have forgot and picked up a very adorable 3-year-old once or twice, but I'm trying not to do that.  (I'm not supposed to be lifting anything for 7-10 days.  I'm close to the 7 day mark at least.)  This is where my port is, still under the steri-strips.  You can't really see it in the picture but there is definitely a freaky bump.  Juan says it is much larger than a microchip and I suppose he is correct.  It feels really weird to touch so I try not to do that.  I'm sure after a few more days it will start feeling more and more normal.

Here are a couple more pictures from chemo yesterday.  MSTI is located in the basement of St. Luke's Meridian and I was surprised to see that they have a large bank of east-facing windows across the chemo area.  The natural light is really nice, especially since the sun was shining!

This is my nurse Teresa hooking up one of the drugs in her protective gear.  It's dangerous for the drugs to come in contact with skin.  Now just think what the means about having them INSIDE your veins!  As long as they kill any lurking cancer, I will consider it worth the while.