Treatment has started, with a bang!
My Mom and I at first chemo
What a day yesterday! I had my first infusion (chemo) at Northbay. It took a while, which I guess is normal for the first “loading” dosage. We showed up at 9:30 am and we were finally done around 1:30 pm.
To start off with, it took two nurses to find a good vein in my wrists or hands to work with, and on the 4th jab into the back of my right hand, they finally got things going. Don’t get the wrong idea, they were great and attentive nurses, I just had cold, shy veins. Started off with saline, then added some benadryl to prevent any allergic reactions to the cetuximab. Seconds after the benadryl went in, I felt a blanket of tiredness sweep over me. It was pretty amazing. Then they added the cetuximab. I really felt no change whatsoever at that point. Felt like taking a nap though! I was real happy to have Denise, my Mom and Dad there with me. That made it very comforting.
After we were done there, my parents took Denise and I out to lunch at the Blue Frog. It was raining and cold all day, but suddenly I started feeling very cold during lunch, and this quickly turned into the chills as we drove home. By the time I got home, it was all could do to get my clothes off and jump in bed. I had the full-blown chills and could not stop shaking and developed a fever to boot. The way I figure it, my body was in self-protect mode against the “intruders”. I had read that flu-like symptoms are typical after your first infusion, so I was half-expecting it. I slept (restlessly) from 4:40 pm to 7:30 am the next day. Actually, let’s not call it sleep at all.
Today I’m feeling much better. Sluggish and a bit cloudy, but still able to work at home for the full day. I had planned on joining a group of friends on a bike ride through Gordon Valley on Sunday and I have no intentions of missing that!
Pain scale today: 2 (10 being the worst)
p.s. Thanks go out to Vern for fixing the door on my truck! What a great friend.
They call those “chills” rigors. I had them when I did Interferon. Amazing how you can shake that much with a heating pad, electric blanket, down comforter, etc. etc.
I’m glad you’re feeling better today and enjoy your bike ride, but take it easy, (yeah right!!!)
Vern was happy to fix the door.
Sounds like you could’ve used a paramedic to start your iv. “frequent flyers” always mention that paramedics are better at getting the hard sticks than nurses. I think it’s cuz we’re always doing them in moving ambulances and other less than ideal situations. Hopefully, you won’t have to deal with that everytime.
Anyway, we all hope you’re feeling better.
@Tito
Hey, what are you doing next Thursday! Actually I think it will be easier next time. I’ll be sure to drink lots of liquids the night before to make my veins easier to stick.
I hope your succeeding treatments are easier. Thanks for keeping us posted. We’re thinking about you. Sounds like your dad, mom and Denise are taking good care of you, too. Keep up the great attitude.