C day - #1

OK, yesterday's post was edited today and somehow it now has today's date.

Anyway, it was my first day of chemo today, April 19th.  I check in 8:30 a.m. and get a private room.  I thought about bringing my laptop with me so I could journal during treatment but after experiencing the ache and burning in my arm with the IV, I doubt I'll be multi-tasking much.  That's unfortunate, because today I learn that after a few treatments, the chemo will have an effect on my speech, thinking, memory, etc, etc.  The Infusion RN continues ad nauseum about certain and potential side effects. She's a very kind RN, but what she is saying are words that are not designed to make me feel comfortable.  She ends the list of crazy side effects and then instructs me to practice NEW START:  Nutrition, Eating. Walking, Sunshine (indirect, I'm like a Vampire now), Temperance, Air, Rest, and I can't remember what the last "T" is for.  Must be the chemo working already.

Pyung, she's the RN, inserts an IV into my wrist and starts with a saline IV drip that will push the "medicine" through gently.  They won't be inserting a port in me that can be worn 24/7.  It's for patients that have aggressive cancers and need the chemo more frequently.  I'm only going every other Monday.  I'm pretty fortunate.  This makes me think of a friend's mom who is receiving treatment for cancer right now and has a port.  Wow, my heart goes out to her.