(Warning: This post might be too graphic for the faint of heart or the emotionally unstable.)
The Ugly Truth about Chemo is that no matter how much you think you are prepared for it, there is absolutely no preparation! I remember distinctly the Oncology Nurse giving me a list of a regimen of medications to take daily. The day before your chemo treatment you start with steroids. And prior to that they want you to take Antivan for your nerves & to get a good night's sleep (who are they kidding). They also give you two different nausea/vomitting pills which start the day of chemo when you go home. The reason for two nausea meds, is just in case the first pill which is for every 8 hours doesn't work - the second pill is a "back-up" plan. Mind you the nurse who actually gave me the chemo, warned me that second pill - will knock me out for 2 days! WHAT?! (Needless to say the one nausea pill carried me for more than 8 hours.) Another medication I was given before treatment was Prilosec for Acid/Heartburn. (Didn't think I would need this medication but took it daily anyway; and luckily I did because I was so dry the food hurt going down my throat.) And if you get diarhea (which is inevitable), I can take Immodium AD. (In my opinion the Immodium did not help at all - took it for two days & figured I'll let nature take its course.) Because I need to be hydrated - I need to take some kind of Gatorade; in my case I would have to drink Pedialyte. The Nurse also told me to get Arm & Hammer Baking Soda - believe it or not this is not only for the cold sores in your mouth that develop the next day , but to use as deodorant. (Would you believe Arm & Hammer does have an all natural deodorant with some kind of citrus? And guess what - because it left me too moist, I developed a rash under my arm!) I was also told to purchase a new toothbrush with soft bristles and a mild toothpaste like Burt Bees. (And after a few days of that toothpaste and my mouth tasting like sandpaper - I went back to cleaning my teeth properly with Colgate Total!) Then I purchased a soft hair brush because they told me to & I didn't understand why if it is inevitable that I would lose my hair.
The medications were sent to my pharmacist as I sat with the Oncology Nurse and by the time I arrived home, the meds were already filled. All this was done prior to the holidays and my family going away to the Poconos for our first Christmas Vacation. (The vacation was something new that we never did during the holidays, but decided to take this time to go away before my treatments started. It was suppose to help me relax and possibly do some soul-searching. Let's just say - National Lampoon Vacation...)
So the first day of Chemo Treatments [01/06/14 - Monday] : I arrived before 8 am with my mother & husband. As soon as I checked-in, I was given a little box for my first day. A fellow patient of the Dubin Breast Center wanted to give back, so she gives every new patient a box filled with a bar of soap, lotion, lip balm, foot cream and two different face creams - one that can be used for make-up. The box is called Violets are Blue - https://violetsarebluenyc.com/shop/chemo-care-package/ . (I can not tell you how this little box had me in tears.)
Before I started treatment, my vitals were checked & my blood work sent to the lab. While we wait for the lab results my medical oncologist gives me the pep talk. Everything will be fine Raquel! You took all the medical tests necessary to insure proper treatment - PET scan, Hematology, ECHO, & a Genetic test. Everyone gets the same standard of care here at this Treatment Center. Private patients get the same treatment as Medicaid patients. (Yeah right! lol. ) I can guarantee you Raquel that you will live to be a very old lady & die of some other natural causes. (huh?!)
Off I go into the treatment room with mother & hubby in hand. The room has a glass door with a big screen TV, telephone, a recliner for me - the patient, two chairs for my guests, & wi-fi! They also served me lunch & for my company.
They start me off with IV steroids, some other pain meds, nausea meds, fluids - all by 10:30. I was given a total of 4 different chemo treatments, which lasted me until 6 pm! This way I did not have to return the next day to finish the treatment. I did anyway have to return 24 hours later [Tuesday] to receive a booster shot for my immune system & white blood cells.
Now here we are Wednesday: The pain in the leg starts (which is a result of the Neulasta shot), the dryness all over my body, the flu-like body aches, fatigue to the point where you feel winded, & the nausea! And here goes my husband, dragging me down the hallway of my building to make me move & exercise my lungs. And all I want to do is curl up in bed & wimper. By Friday morning I being dragged outside in frigid weather & made to walk around the building, from the back door exit to the front door lobby. GRRR!!!
At least Saturday I was able to do some laundry & iron. But was in bed by 8 pm! Then the leg pain starts & its getting increasingly worst. My face is red & blotchy like I got a bad rash. The body aches are like I was in a car accident. The cold chill in my body feels like convulsions. Never knew that toast, Pedialyte, & Vaseline would become my best allies!!
Finally Sunday, I decided four days without proper sleep is madness! I pull out the secret stash that I started to buy before the holidays "just in case." I already had asked my medical oncologist during her prep talk about the medicinal marijuana. She goes on to tell me that some of the chemo treatments are plant based & "all natural." But she can give me a Mary Jane pill? I declined. And lo & behold a fellow church member who went through chemo twice, told me to light up?!
And let me tell y'all - there was no more of that excruciating leg pain, no nausea, no body aches or flu-like symptoms, & I was able to get more than 4 hours of sleep! AMEN.
Back to the Ugly Truth about Chemo: No blog tells you how you are going to feel mentally, physically & spiritually. (Spiritually - you don't even have the energy to pray; and I pray a rosary daily including at least an hour of devotion.) Physically you feel like "The Fly (1986)" & Mentally you feel like you are going through an outer body experience that is inexplainable. But as soon as you see that look of concern in your childrens' eyes...All Fear becomes Motivation!!
As always, please join me in this Journey of PRAYER, LOVE & HOPE...
