Chemotherapy 1 down - 3 to go!

I had my first chemotherapy infusion yesterday.  It was pretty uneventful and has not yet left me feeling horribly nauseous just more on the tired side.

In all of my attempts to gain weight in anticipation of chemo by eating mexican food, hot fudge sundaes, etc. for the past month or so, I was only able to gain 2 pounds.  So, nutrition has to be a priority for me so that I don't lose and get weak during the treatments.  But, as my appetite is usually pretty good, I'm hoping to stay steady in that regard.

So, the process of chemo is that two days before, the day of, and the day after the infusions I have to take a drug called Dexamethasone twice per day.  This drug is a corticosteroid - similar to a natural hormone produced by our adrenal glands.  It's job is to relieve inflammation, help prevent allergic reactions caused by certain drugs, help with nausea and replaces the body's normal steroids when the adrenal glands aren't working well.  One of the side effects of this med is that is creates insomnia.  The first day that I took it I was awake all night - didn't sleep for even one hour.  I was a little wiser last night and took an anti-nausea pill that is sedating before going to bed and once in the middle of the night and I was able to sleep through the night.

So, for the first chemo treatment, Guy and I were escorted to a room full of reclining chairs.  There was only one other person there when we came in around 9:30 and a few more milled in during the time we were there.  The nurse promptly administered an I.V. into my arm to begin the process with the first part being a bag of sodium chloride.  The nurse injected anti-nausea meds and Benadryl into the bag to be infused prior to starting the Taxotere and Cytoxan.  About 15 minutes into the process, my arms and legs began involuntarily twitching (sometimes quite violently).  Per the nurse, it was caused by the Benadryl that is supposed to be helping against allergic reactions to the other drugs.  She told me that it has such an effect on me that next time to take one Clariton tablet the night before and the morning of infusion and that they would not administer the Benadryl next time.  This annoying side effect lasted about an hour before subsiding.

We finished with all of the I.V. meds around noon and were free to go.  All in all it went smoothly and I felt pretty good at home and throughout the night.

I went back to the oncologist office today to receive my neulasta shot which will stimulate by bone marrow to produce white blood cells.  I understand that this shot can cause bone pain for several days after it is administered.  I had it done about 2 hours ago and feel fine now, but have pain meds on hand if it starts to kick in.

Now, I just have to eat well, rest well, keep very well hydrated, exercise and keep as healthy as possible until the next infusion on November 6th.  I'll keep you posted on any side effects and changes that occur in the meantime.

Thanks for following and feel free to shoot out any questions if you have any :)