1st Chemo & Radiation Treatment
Monday, November 2nd was my first chemo and radiation treatment at HSN (Health Science North), or as I refer to the hospital as Sudbury. Because I thought staying at their Daffodil Lodge would best for me, I booked a room for the 5 week chemo/radiation treatments. Lots to do to prepare: what food to bring, what clothes to wear, and what entertainment to bring. Once the truck was loaded up and ready, we were off on this new adventure.
Arriving ahead of time so that I could do my bloodwork to check my levels for receiving the chemo treatment. I had a hemoglobin 139, which was a great improvement over the hemoglobin 68 when I was here on August 7th. Everything looked good to start my 1st chemo treatment. I was positioned in the chair and got the IV going. I am blessed with small and deep veins, so it took a couple times to find the vein. My treatment specific to me is one hour saline solution, 1 hour chemo, and finishing with 1 more hour of saline solution. It is cold on the arm, so I have hot packs to keep the arm warm, and plenty of hot blankets to keep me warm.
Once I was done with chemo, we went to get set up at the Daffodil Lodge, the home away from home for the next 5 weeks. Of course, I couldn't just have Michael unpack everything into our room, since I had to be there with him. He is designated Escort, and Me is the Patient.
We got all unpacked and settled, I was not having an easy feeling that this was going to work for both of us, and I wasn't sure I wanted to stay at the Lodge. A lot of rules to abide by, and restricting our movements. Michael would be pretty much house-bound which I didn't know if he could take for 5 days. This was going to be interesting, that's for sure. Being the good husband he is, he said whatever makes me happy! I wasn't happy but we would see how the first week goes.
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I had to be at the radiation registration desk by 3:00pm because my 1st radiation treatment would begin around 4:15pm. However, the one hour prior was so that I could drink enough water to get my bladder full. This is not as easy as it sounds, as I have discovered... not like pounding back a few Long Island Ice Teas, and getting up dancing around to shake the bladder loose... ;) I'm told it is trial and error, so I will work on finding the right balance. I will have lots of practice since I have radiation once every day, Monday through Friday. Day two was a long trial and error, but Day three turned out a bit better, and Day four I almost got it perfect. It takes about 4-5 bottles (500ml) water to make it happen.
Side-effects were mentioned, and I had a couple of the common ones. Chemo fog is a real thing, and I haven't been so confused in all my life. I'm not as steady on my feet either, and there has been one episode of vomitting. Lesson learned - don't drink the tap water... Other than that, I sleep. The first day back to the room, and I was so dead tired. You just have to lay down and sleep. I think I have been sleeping every day since in the afternoons. I also sleep out of boredom or lack of interest. I hope that I find some energy as we go along, but we shall see. Because my radiation session went so well on Thursday, I was able to go out with Michael for a little drive around Sudbury. Our treat of the day is DQ reese blizzards!! And it was so goood...
I'm doing ok, and having chemo/radiation is just part of the get-well, stay-well plan for the future. Aiming at becoming 100% cancer-free!!
How many weeks altogether, Suze?
ReplyDeleteThinking of you and sending you lots of healing energy you got this hugs xo
ReplyDeletePlease disregard my earlier question. It has already been mentioned.
ReplyDeleteYou’ve got this Susan, sending you positive vibes and virtual hugs to help you on your way to recovery. Stay positive, give mike a hug
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your journey. It is something we never think we will have to go through. I am glad you are doing well and am praying for strength for you and Michael and your Mom and that you will be blessed with a complete healing.
ReplyDeleteI was very saddened to hear that you are not well. I know you got this, you are a strong country girl with what sounds like a very supportive husband. Stay strong!!!
ReplyDeleteRick (Richard) Pothier.
Hang in there Susan. I think the blog is such a good idea--your friends do want to know how you are doing and this way you don't have to explain over and over again.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this, Sue. I am so glad you were diagnosed early enough to have a fair shot at good treatment.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jon for the kind words! Yes, I was glad that we found the cancer early enough too.
ReplyDeleteHi Pete, I am looking at 5 weeks outside radiation, 1 week inside radiation, and 6 chemo treatments. Some chemo is administered same time as the outside radiation.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sue. I appreciate the thoughts and healing energy! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Nancy! I appreciate the positive vibes and virtual hugs! They are the best!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda and Bob! I do have a wonderful supportive family. We have been through a lot and a bunch more to come... but united we stand!! I am also blessed with my Facebook family and friends to help me along the way!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Rick! So nice to hear from you! I do have a wonderful supportive husband, and that strong country girl spirit still burns within me! ;)
ReplyDeleteHi Susan. Lots of love coming your way. I think listening to your body will help you threw this. Our Micheal, found that if he listened, rested when he was tired and did not try to keep going, he avoided some of the complications like nausea and vomiting. Hope this helps.
ReplyDeletewill be remembering you in our prayers Judy.
Thank you Judy for the advice! I definitely will listen to my body. Rest is sometimes over-powering need, and then other times I'm just wake. This is the time I reflect on the good people that are family and friends helping through this journey! Love you xo.
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