Chemo Round 1

Sorry to not post yesterday. I thought I’d be able to, but I slept instead…A LOT!

Round 1 went pretty well. I was pretty nervous, but it wasn’t bad.

We had a long visit with the pharmacist there about the drugs I would be taking, what they did and what to expect from them. It was nice to hear such good information.

After that, the nurse, who was awesome, started me on anti-nausea meds, a steroid and Benedryl. About that time, my mom, sister and dad showed up to give me some moral support. It was a chemo party, and it was awesome. Took my mind off what was to come.

photo

In the middle of our chemo party, a very nice man came over and asked if I was Jenny. He said he read my blog and knew I liked Chick Fil A so he wanted to give me a gift card for all the troubles I had so far. It was AMAZINGLY nice. In fact, I was so stunned by it that I never bothered to ask him his name.

He also boosted my husband’s ego by telling him he looked like Gerard Butler. I’ve never caught Alan doing this look on camera, but here is the closest comparison I could give:

Gerard Butler

Alan Herzberger

Today, I saw him walking a group of men around the cancer center for a tour. I guess he is with the administration. That was a really nice outreach.

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So, if you read this, thank you to the unnamed Chick-Fil-A pickle lover! I second you on that.

Next, the nurse comes and gives you the Adriamycin through a big syringe. She pushes it through my port slowly over about 15-20 minutes. I didn’t feel anything.


Adriamycin Injection

Mom, Keri and Dad all left around that time, and all we had left was the Cytoxan.

That went well until about half way through when I thought my nose was burning a little bit. Then it spread to my sinuses under my eyes. I started to get a headache. We called the nurse who hasn’t seen that specifically happen. By the time she talked to the pharmacist, we were at the end of the IV. Once she unhooked me the burning stopped. The headache faded away about half way home.

The told me to tell Dr. Razaq about this. Maybe taking extra Benedryl will prevent this in upcoming treatments.

We got home around 5:30 pm. I crashed until the pizza came at 6:30 p.m. After eating a piece of pizza I got my first bout of nausea. I took one of the meds they gave me. I conked out until I woke up pouring sweat around 9:30 p.m. I felt nauseated again so I took my backup nausea medicine. I fell asleep and didn’t wake up until 7 a.m.

Today, I have felt very jittery. Maybe the steroid? I’m tired…kind of like you feel you are coming down with something. Knot in my stomach. To be honest, it feels like a bad hangover.

I went to work and stayed until about 2 p.m. I’m currently waiting to get my Neulasta shot which will stimulate my body to produce more white blood cells since we just obliterated them all yesterday. This is the fun med that gives you lots of bone and joint pain.

Will update you on how that goes!

Thanks again for all of the sweet messages, texts and emails. I read and appreciated every single one.

 

11 thoughts on “Chemo Round 1

  1. We are thinking of you and praying for you all the time. I love the pink ‘Team Jenny’ snuggie! Happy Easter! Laura and Andy

  2. Jenny, I must take a second to tell everyone how amazing you are. I am not going to lie — I tried to hide it, but when I walked into the center, I was a hot mess on the inside. Just the idea of you going through this made me so sad and nervous. But then I saw you sitting there, calm and reserved and I instantly relaxed a little. Heck, you were even smiling. Amazing!

    I know you say “What choice do I have but to have a good attitude?” Obviously, you have the Stark family’s ability to laugh through the hard times, something I think our family is blessed with. (Major props go out to our M&D for teaching us how, btw.) But I think it’s more than that. You just have such a strong spirit, you push on when others crumble. And that makes me both proud and in awe of you.

    You rock, little sister! Oh, and Alan totally looks like Gerard, especially in person. It’s my new nickname for him. 🙂

  3. None of this sounds at all pleasant, Jenny, but you are doing a great job!! This will all be a memory a year from now! You can do this! I’m so grateful that your family is so close and can be such a support for you. I’m with you in prayer!! I am also proud of how you and Alan are trudging through this. You really are doing great job. I’ll be praying for you and praying that these treatments get easier and more tolerable.

  4. Congrats on getting round one done!! Yay!! I love what your sister said! Too sweet! I hope you have a restful weekend and a happy Easter! Big hugs!!

  5. You amaze me. I am smiling reading a post about chemo. I don’t think that is normal! I can just picture the pickle guy, Gerard, the Stark fam, you and your preciousness! Sounds like you did a great job! I hope you feel better in the morning. Call me if you need Chick-fil-a delivered.

  6. Thanks for the update on Chemo Round 1. Yes, Alan does look like Gerard!
    It is nice to know that the Mystery Man took the time to reach out to you. 🙂
    Continued prayers for you and your family.

  7. Hope that by today you are feeling stronger and less jittery and ready for the beauty of Easter Sunday. Blessings to you and your family, Jenny!

  8. Hi, Jenny — We enjoyed the update, the Chick-Fil-A story and the handsome guy story. I can see a resemblance to Alan, too. Hope you are getting your energy back. It was nice that your family was there to support you.
    We are praying that the remaining treatments will not be so harsh.

  9. I’m in awe of you as always lady! I hope your nausea didn’t last long and you were able to have a wonderful Easter weekend with your family. And, I loved they Chick-fil-A gift card story. Prayers to you as you continue this journey.

  10. I came across your blog through the Sip ‘n Bitch Facebook page. I’m about to start chemo in two weeks, so I’m glad you’re sharing your experience. Best wishes.

  11. Pingback: Treatment No. 2 -- getting through the weekend | The Herzy Journey

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