One IV treatment down & 5 to go.

So my first IV treatment day was pretty smooth. My bloodwork looked great (all normal), doctor visit was quick but informative, and we only had about a 40 minute wait to get a cubicle for the IV treatment. Unfortunately I had to get stuck twice - once for blood and a different spot for the chemo.  I might rethink getting a port.  The IV site was not feeling good after close to 3 hours of drips.  I thought I had great veins...

First I receive saline and anti-nausea drug(s).  Then the chemo runs for about 2 hours.   I got up once to walk around after about an hour and all was well.  Soon after I had to stop drinking my cold drink because my throat felt like it was closing up (but it isn't really) - first side effect I noticed.  Other than that, I was surprised by how fine I felt - until it was time to get up and leave.  My legs were not cooperating - they felt like they were asleep and very weak.  I had to wheelchair out of the clinic to the car.   Heaven forbid if I fall - then I have to wear big yellow booties for all to see every time I'm in the clinic - no way?!  Thank goodness Dave was with me all day to hear the information, see the process, get me out of there quickly, and drive us home.

By the time I got home, my fingers were like ice and everything I touched that was cold felt like it was covered with tiny needles.  It doesn't hurt, but the instinct is to pullback right away because it doesn't feel great either.   My eyelids were twitchy and my calves crampy.   I just have to wear gloves and think before I eat, drink, or touch anything hot or cold.   The interesting thing about the fatigue is that it actually helps to combat it by getting up and moving around - at whatever pace I can manage.  I may walk a bit funny due to my cramped calves, but I have the energy to do some slow walks around the house and even ride the exercise bike for a bit.  I was able to drive this morning, too, which was a concern.

Now I just take chemo pills for 2 weeks straight and I get to look forward to a week off of all drugs before my next IV treatment day at Duke on May 15th.

Thanks to Mollie H for a delicious beef stew and spinach salad.  It was great - even at room temperature for me.   Thanks also to Bill S for the surprise delivery of another great meal.  We are all set for a while!

Great News at post-op appointments!

Today I had 2 return appointments at Duke: one with the oncologist and one with the surgeon.  All agreed that I am recovering from surgery very well and that I will be able to start situps (yes, I asked) and the second round of chemo 2 weeks from today (April 24th).   I'm off all medications, exercising daily without any problems, and eating my normal diet.   They also said that the 3 lymph nodes that tested cancerous were not unexpected.

The Plan (repeats for a total of 6 cycles):

Day 1:   bloodwork, oncologist appt, IV anti-nausea, IV chemo PLUS chemo pills in morning and at night
Days 2-14:  chemo pills in morning and at night
Days 15-21:   Nothing!  I get a break to recover before next round.

There are many possible side effects, but that doesn't mean I will experience them all.  Since I tolerated the first round of pills so well, hopefully I will fare OK during the next stage.    

Here's a picture of me at the UNC/Maryland lacrosse game last weekend.  Erin and her middle school team played a mini-game during the halftime.   I felt like I should get to know the mascot since Daniel (son #2)
will attend UNC-Chapel Hill in the Fall...