The dreaded chemotherapy

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So here's the thing.  I'm afraid of needles.  Really really afraid.  Since I was a little girl.  The thought of having needles poked into me month after month with poison pouring into me gives me the creeps.  I am seriously not looking forward to this.  And I haven't even thought of the side effects!  Man, I have watched countless movies and all those movies with cancer in it is like a bloody horror stories!  And I have some experiences with cancer among people that are close to me.  I know what to expect. It's not going to be pretty.

The morning of chemo, I had butterflies in my stomach.  I can't eat, can't drink, can't do anything. Walked into Oncology in a daze.  Saw other patients, all thin and bald.  Is this what I'll become?  The lady next to me was being poked for her chemo, and she screamed.  Seems that her veins have hardened due to the previous cycles of chemotherapy.  That freaked me out, man!  But my nurse assured me that I would have a different experience as I have installed a chemo port.  She then poked a needle into my chemo port and it was just a split second of pain. Phew!

First she drew my blood, for a full blood count.  I was normal, so chemo session was a go for me!  Next she injected an anti allergy drug which made me sleepy.  And next was steroid, by then I was very groggy.  Saline was next, and I fell asleep for awhile. 

Ok, next was a series of drugs that flowed into me
* First was Perjeta. It was a bag full of drug, flowing into me.  It took about an hour. 
* Once finished, Saline was back, for about half an hour. 
* Next was Herceptin, also about an hour.
* Saline was back again, for about half an hour.
* Chemo drug, Doxetaxel came next, for an hour.
* And finally Saline to end.

It was a full day affair!  I started at 9.30am and finished at 5.30pm.  That's full day of work!

Went home feeling more tired than running a marathon. 

Trying to look brave

Cool socks is a must!

That's where the chemo port is

Chemo centre.  If only it's more like a spa! :-)


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