Wednesday, January 8 (Chemo #1)

Chemo #1. We dropped the kids off early at school and went to Magee, where I had blood work and then met with one of my doctor's PAs. She gave me a lot of information about possible reactions and side effects and how we can deal with them, and answered a ton of my questions (one of them, frivolously, was whether I can travel during the kids' spring break if I'm feeling well enough, and the answer was surprisingly yes if I mask on a plane). 

Then I went back to the Women's Cancer Center to get set up. First Andrew and I had to get the scalp cooling system ready. The machine was there and ready to go, and we just had to hook up the various caps and helmets. The woman who distributes the caps came down to check and make sure we had everything set up correctly, and tightened my cap and helmet much more than we had. 

My nurse then started the pre-meds, and then it was time for taxol. We put on my frozen mittens and booties (an attempt to prevent neuroplathy), and then the drip began. I did not have any allergic reactions to the taxol, a relief. The taxol was a three-hour-long process. 

To my surprise, I felt fine throughout. The cap, mittens, and booties were uncomfortable, but not unbearable. I was able to eat some snacks. Beth came down to chat for a bit. Andrew and I watched a documentary on Netflix called Biggest Heist Ever, which was so funny that we were laughing out loud. Anything that can make me laugh during chemo is a winner. Who thought that would even be possible?

After taxol was carboplatin (or something like that), a shorter drip. When that was done I had to sit for two more hours of scalp cooling. It was a long, long day. All in, we were at Magee for nine hours. 

Mom and Dad came to the house to pick up Lucia (Greta had crew) and make dinner, which was wonderful. Even at home, after that long long day, I felt normal, and I'm still feeling normal now at 9:30. The nurse told me as much--I have steroids and a long-acting anti-nausea drug in my system right now. I might even feel okay tomorrow, she said. Andrew went out to Target right before the pharmacy closed to get me another anti-nausea prescription I can take as needed.

I'm so glad this first one is over. I know these treatments will get progressively more difficult, but at least I know I can get through them without having an anxiety attack. And we have a better idea of what I'll need to bring next time. We brought all the right things but it was harder than expected to eat with the cap strapped around my chin, since I couldn't open my mouth very much, so smaller, bite-sized snacks will be better. 

Onward. One down, five to go.