13 November 2006 First day of Chemotherapy

Today is the first day of chemo so I’m calling this 1-1 day to signify week 1, day 1.

Woke up this morning at 0400 tossing and turning so I suspect it’s from the anticipation of the unknown of what’s going to happen today. Marjie also woke up at the same time and suspect it for the same reasons and also the fact that she is still a little jet lagged from her cross ocean plane trip from Egypt.



Marjie got up and decided to start one of her workout tapes and then take the Coho for a walk, so I finally got this blog going. I started at the beginning and hope to get caught up in the next couple days, and then it will just be a daily update of what the hell is going on with me.

Anyway, I worked on the blog from about 0400 till almost 0800 and realized that I need to start getting ready since we needed to be at Virginia Oncology Associates at 0900.
Took a shower and headed downstairs to eat a quick breakfast consisting of an English muffin with peanut butter and a banana with some apple juice. While I was eating Marjie flushed and changed the dressing on my feeding tube. Once done with that, I packed my backpack with a blanket, ear phones for my cell phone which is also a MP3 player, a small bag of crackers, PC World magazine and a book.

Arrived at the doctors office at 0910 and waited in the waiting room till 0930 when we were called in to the chemo room as I call it. This room consists of about 12 Lazy Boy leather recliners that are spread out along the walls. Next to the recliners are portable IV tube hangers on wheels with some kind of computer that the nurses can control how much IV fluid they are transferring into you at a time. We were told last week that if all the recliners weren’t taken that Marjie would be able to sit with me rather than having to get a folding chair to sit in for the day. As it turned out, there were 3 other patients getting treatment, so it left lots of open chairs and Marjie was able to kick back next to me all day.

The nurse came over and explained what was going to happen today and it basically goes like this. I will be receiving numerous chemicals/medicines/anti-nausea/hydration fluids in a series through IV bags which will attach to my PICC line.

First thing was for me to take another pill called Emend, which is an anti-nausea medicine. This is taken on the first day of chemo treatment and its 150mg, then I’ll take one the second day 80mg and another on the 3rd day after treatment 80mg.

First IV bag hooked up to the machine and then to me was yet another anti-nausea medicine called Aloxi .25mg.
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Next IV bag was what the nurse called a hydration bag which was 1000ml of saline.

Next IV bag was 250ml of Magnesium Sulfide 50% 500mg/ml. (This is to offset losses from the next drug called Cisplatin (Platinol).

Next IV bag was the real deal chemo drug 1000ml – Cisplatin (150mg) plus Mannitol 2,500mg. (This bag took over an hour to drain into me.

Next IV bag was another Chemo drug 150mg of Taxotere.

This all started about 0930 and the last drop went in approx 1545….what a day!

The nurse comes back in with the final drug 5-FU (Fluorouracil). This is a drug that needs to be dispensed for 96 hours continuously. The way this will work is that I will carry a fanny pack with a pump in it that is connected to the IV fluid bag which will inject through my PICC line 7,880 mg which is 157.6cc’s of 5-FU (Fluorouracil) over 96 hours at a rate of 2cc’s an hour into me.

Man, this is a real joy! I now have this freaking feeding tube coming out of my stomach, a PICC line installed into my upper right arm with two medicine ports dangling out, and connected to one is a tube going to an IV bag which is connected to this pump that I have to carry continuously for the next four freaking days. This damn thing can’t be more than 3 feet from my body and can’t get wet. Sheesh!
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So to recap for the day, I basically sat in a comfortable recliner reading magazines, listening to Dire Straits and Kenny G, wrapped in my own personal blanket very comfortable. The drugs going into me did not hurt and I really didn’t feel anything at all. The PICC line worked very well and because of it I didn’t have to have any needles today poking into me. When we were all done and the pump was turned on, Marjie and I left.

My next appointment is at 1500 on Friday to have the pump removed and another appointment at 1455 on Saturday for a shot of NUELASTA. This is the drug to bring your white blood count back up.

Headed home with Marjie driving this time. Think I’ll be a passenger for the next couple months.
Got home and Marjie had a roast in the crock pot for dinner cooking. Went out in the back yard and did a little cleaning up while Marjie and David finished cleaning the hot tub.
Came back in feeling good, ate a good dinner and kicked back on the couch and watched a little TV. So far, I’m feeling no side effects and all is well.

Went to bed at 2130 and watched TV in the rack till about 2230.

Goodnight!