Starting chemo today!

Today I start chemo at the Warringal Hospital: It still feels strange  being treated for a cancer I have no symptons for. Anyway I am getting .CX and an antibody called Herceptin. It starts though with  plenty of  ftuid (saline) being pumped into me and then the Chemo drugs and then some more  saline.

In the beginning along with the saline I am getting some (read lots) of anti-nausea drugs  One by mouth, called Emend, and 2 intravenously' DEXAMENTHASONL and NAVOBAN, each of these I have to take follow up pills for the next 2-3 days. I have then also another optional one which I can take,  more likely after the others have expired METOCLOPRAMIDE:

The saline is to make sure my kidneys keep functioning as the chemo affects them. Once the saline is pumped in I have to urinate enough so that they can then administer the chemo.

So I am sitting here at the hospital in a very comfy chair with a great view out the window and being looked after by Margaret who is very friendly and helpful

All the staff here are good and very friendly. They keep wanting to close the blinds but I like it bright so I keep saying no.

The Heceptin is going in now and as it is the first dose it is a large dose, today takes 1 1/2 hours, the next dose in 3 weeks takes 1 hour and then each after that only 1/2 hour each time. It was about 11.05 when it started. Atl the drugs start with A load dose and then reduce for the rest.

Finally it is all over and it is now 5:45 PM and I have been plugged in since 9Am. The chemo drugs stopped around 2pm and then the next round of saline. So far I have had little  to no reaction  to any of the drugs. I had a slight reaction  to one drug which was a pain in the arm around the cannula. Margaret said it probably wasn't the drug itself but more likely that it was the cold of the drug and the speed it was going in. She adjusted it a bit and also gave me  a heat pad fathe arm. this did the trick and I was good in no time.  Obviously the anti-nausea drugs are working.

Originally I was to be an overnight stay but they changed it to a day procedure as there were no staff available. The place is that new. What it did mean though is  they cut short the end saline only till ~6pm, 4 hours not 6. So I have to make sure I continue the hydration tonight to keep my kidneys working.

Lets hope the rest of the treatment goes this well.