First Chemotherapy Treatment . . .

The first chemotherapy treatment is over and done, and I feel fine.

The chemotherapy itself was not difficult. Basically, I went to the third floor of CancerCare and checked in. Then a nurse came to escort me to a treatment room (there were four stations in the room I was in) where I sat in a recliner and the nurse put in an IV line. For me, that's the most trying part because I have eeny weeny veins and nurses usually end up poking around for a vein. Most uncomfortable. It's actually rather funny what nurses will do to try to get a vein. My nurse yesterday wrapped my arm in a warm blanket, then rubbed and slapped the inner arm until she finally got a vein about halfway between my wrist and elbow. It took about five minutes!

The nurse told me what to expect when the chemical (gemcitibine) hit my system, made sure I was cozy and warm, and then went to get my drugs. She gave me two anti-nausea tablets, then started the IV.

For about 45 minutes, I just sat there listening to music on my MP3 player and relaxed. I had taken my tatting with me, but because of where they placed the IV, I couldn't move my left arm and therefore couldn't do anything but sit quietly.

After the chemical had all dripped into me, I was disconnected and sent home. Easy. I was rather surprised that there was seemingly no effect from the gemcitibine - no funny taste in my mouth, no feelings of dizziness or nausea or anything else.

Next Monday I will be going in for my second treatment and at that time they will also install a PICC line so I won't have to be poked and prodded every time they need to draw blood or infuse me with gemcitibine. Here is a description, better than I can describe it:

A PICC is a long, thin, flexible tube known as a catheter. It is inserted into one of the large veins of the arm near the bend of the elbow. It is then slid into the vein until the tip sits in a large vein just above the heart.

The space in the middle of the tube is called the lumen. Sometimes the tube has two or three lumens (known as double or triple lumen). This allows different treatments to be given at the same time. At the end of the tube outside the body, each lumen has a special cap, to which a drip line or syringe can be attached. Sometimes there is a clamp to keep the tube closed when it is not in use.

I had one of these lines while I was in the hospital and it sure made life easier. No more poking around for veins, just open up one of the lines and draw blood or insert an IV.

After the treatment, The Old Boot took me home. I was exhausted and had been feeling really tired since Sunday, so I had a nap when I got home and slept really well for a couple of hours. I took another anti-nausea pill even though I wasn't feeling sick - Dr. Cutie said to take them for about a day after each treatment regardless of how I felt.

Anyway, today I feel bright and energetic, so I'm going to try to catch up on some housework. Doesn't that sound like fun.

-- Lori