One down, five to go.

kikz

First I was pleasantly surprised to find out I am having 6 infusions.  Since my onc had said it was six months, I counted 8 or 9 at three-week intervals.  Of course the six have to do the trick. 

It went pretty well.  The first IV placed under my left index finger began to hurt after a couple of hours so she started another on my left inner forearm.  She bruised me and had a little trouble getting it started.  When I had about a half hour left to go the nurse noticed red marks going up my arm.  She asked if that was my rash and I said it wasn't.  My rash is like little tiny blisters, these were red lines, almost like crosses.  She called another nurse over and they decided to add another bag of saline solution.  Another nurse came over and looked at my arm.  She said, "that's nothing."  I just looked up at her.  She was rather tall and loomed over me.  She then said, "I have seen much worse.  I have seen where the red is all over the arm."  I just looked up at her again.  Now bear in mind that I was not complaining or even acting upset.  I figured they knew what they were doing.  I know my veins are shot and it really was up to my doctor to do something about that preemptively.

I feel like telling my onc about this nurse.  I don't usually complain, believe me.  But at my age and given my circumstance, I am tired of not speaking up.  I just want to say that she acted unprofessionally in my opinion.  I don't even know who she was.  She just appeared.  She could have said this is nothing to worry about, we will add saline solution and the problem will be corrected but she chose to pooh pooh the situation.  My nurse notified my onc who set me up for a picc line.

So today I am feeling a little "weird" but not bad.  I am trying to be proactive.  I am getting up a little earlier than normal so I can have breakfast.  I am drinking at least 2 quarts of liquids which was suggested by the pharmacist who visited me at chemo.  I had been going for 3 quarts.  My nurse called me and asked if I had taken the anti-nausea meds and I said I wasn't nauseous.  She said to start it so I would be ahead of the nausea.  The pharmacist said to take as needed but I went ahead and started it.

I did have a question.  Since I drove myself the nurse said she could not give me Benadryl (which is the one thing I was looking forward to).  She sthen asked if I had taken Zyrtec.  I said no.  She said you always have to.  I said no one told me.  Oh yes, she said you always have to take it before chemo.  I told her I had never been told that.  I mentioned it to the pharmacist and he seem perplexed.  I am going to email my onc.

Anyway ladies, just to let you know I am fine at this point.  Thank you for all your support and care.

 

Karen

Alexandra

1st Chemo

Hi Karen.

Port will save your arms and make remaining 5 round so much easier. I would complain about the "tall nurse". It's their job to monitor patients and take any side effects and allergic reactions seriously. And to make sure that you took your anti-emetics before starting chemo.

I was given Benadryl intravenously every time after steroids and before Taxol. By the time I was finished with Taxol (3-4 hrs) and Carboplatin (1 hr) I was wide awake.

I drove myself to and from chemo every time, I live about 1 hr away from the hospital. 

Drink, drink and then drink some more.

We are all here for you.  

lovesanimals

Alexandra said:

1st Chemo

Hi Karen.

Port will save your arms and make remaining 5 round so much easier. I would complain about the "tall nurse". It's their job to monitor patients and take any side effects and allergic reactions seriously. And to make sure that you took your anti-emetics before starting chemo.

I was given Benadryl intravenously every time after steroids and before Taxol. By the time I was finished with Taxol (3-4 hrs) and Carboplatin (1 hr) I was wide awake.

I drove myself to and from chemo every time, I live about 1 hr away from the hospital. 

Drink, drink and then drink some more.

We are all here for you.  

Hi Karen

So glad you got the first chemo done and out of the way!  I would feel the same way about that nurse whose actions lack compassion and sensitivity.  The last thing you want is a nurse who is pooh-poohing your concerns without really checking them out and providing you with reassurance that everything is okay.  That Zrytec is a new one on me.  Like you, I was not told that I needed to take that when I had my six carbo/taxol treatments.

You're smart to be drinking a lot of liquids.  That will help to keep the bowels moving.

Thanks for checking in with us.  As Alexandra said, we are all here for you!

Hugs,

Kelly

 

scatsm

Glad to hear the first

Glad to hear the first treatment went well. Hang in there...it will be over soon and in the meanwhile, keep us in the loop. Thinking positive healing thoughts!

Susan

scatsm

Glad to hear the first

Glad to hear the first treatment went well. Hang in there...it will be over soon and in the meanwhile, keep us in the loop. Thinking positive healing thoughts!

Susan

poopergirl14052

scatsm said:

Glad to hear the first

Glad to hear the first treatment went well. Hang in there...it will be over soon and in the meanwhile, keep us in the loop. Thinking positive healing thoughts!

Susan

Have you thought about a port

My veins are shot also so I had a por inserted in March...no problems so far. I don't like that tall nurse..if you are in pain or something feels wrong ask for her supervisor..do not take this crap. Are you on Carbo/Taxol?  I usually feel ok first few days ,but hits me a few days later. I am glad you are drinking (not beer of coursr..lol). Yes five more to go..you can do this...stay strong..Val 

Cafewoman53

glad to hear

It is good you have your first treatment under your belt. That is terrible that nurse was like that maybe she is not used to dealing with patients directly cause her bedside manner sucks ! I hope on future visits you are treated better .

Colleen

kimberly sue 63

Hang in there...Soon youll be

Hang in there...Soon youll be done again. The PICC line will make it better on you. Kim

Glad to be done

kimberly sue 63 said:

Hang in there...Soon youll be

Hang in there...Soon youll be done again. The PICC line will make it better on you. Kim

So glad all went we'll for

So glad all went we'll for you.  I agree with the others, the line will make it so much easier for you.  I hope you are doing well today.  Drink, drink, drink.

Pamela B

It goes fast

The first one is the hardest and the rest will fly by.  You will be done before you know it.  My doctor recommended I drink pedialyte and it helped a lot.  Better than just water and less additives that Gatorade. Thinking of you and sending good thoughts your way.