Chemo sucks ass!

 

Gregory the Guardian

 

Tuesday, January 14, 2025:

I received a chemo infusion today.  Not too bad except for the IV of course hurting like a mother fricker.  No issues.  I am getting a cocktail of Docetaxel and Cyclophosphamide and then 24 hours later a shot of Pegfilgrastim.  It was a long day just because there was so much that first day.  Meeting with doctor, education specialist, and then the infusion.  The night progressed and no such issues.  I did have mild nausea, but at the first sign, I took a pill, and it went away.  

Wednesday, January 15, 2025:

Tonight, the neuroblaster (I'm not sure if this is what it’s called) went off.   Primarily, it injected me with the Pegfilgrastim.  And as we know, the adhesive reacted with my tender skin.  I think the mark is gone.  I've quit looking at myself.  The little machine is pretty cool because it injects me without having to go into the doctor again.  This takes place over 45 minutes.  Again, some nausea but the pill pushed it away.  And I walked because I knew a walk is important to push this poison out.  

Thursday, January 16, 2025:

HOLY FUCKING SHIT HELL TO FUCK.  The leg pain started today.  This is because of that little shot in the stomach stimulating the white blood cells to get their ass in gear and start working again.  I took a Tylenol but did not help.  I tried an Epson bath and that helped for a brief time but then came flying back with the pain.  I've started mumbling to myself a lot.  Luckily, so far, I haven't answered back.  I waded through, but barely.  And as much pain as I was in, I walked.  

Friday, January 17, 2025: 

I called the oncology office and asked if I could take some pain pills.  I have learned from my brother-in-law Scott, to always keep pain meds if you can.  From the surgeries, I have a supply of oxy and hydrocodone.  They said I could take them.  They worked a little.  The Epson baths stopped working.  Sorry, I can't do the cold plunge.  More mumblings, screaming, crying, but still haven't answered myself.   I continued to walk and tried to keep moving.  I haven't had a decent night sleep since probably Wednesday.  I'll fall asleep, feel like I've been asleep hours, and then roll over to see the clock moved 10 minutes.  FUCK.

Saturday, January 18, 2025:

The pain meds last about 2 hours and I have to take them 6 hours apart.  So, for four hours I am in excruciating pain.  I try to take one right before bed so that I can sleep through the night, but then my dreams are hectic and exhausting.  I usually move to the recovery couch around 3am.  And then nap, which probably doesn't help my nighttime sleep.  By the way, I'm rocking my fluid intake to the tune of about 100 ounces a day.  Of course, this just makes me pee constantly.  

Sunday, January 19, 2025:

Thanks to peeing constantly, I have developed swamp ass.  And the treatment is to put some moist ointment on it, which makes zero sense to me.  May be too much information, but I've put a washcloth between my butt cheeks.  The leg pain is still here.  My mumblings are becoming less, but still occasionally reared back up.  I've developed some weird blister on my thumb.  A toenail is breaking but not supposed to trim them.  I did not walk except around the house.  It was too fing cold outside.

Monday, January 20, 2025:

Oh, awesome a new pain!  I now have pain in my upper back.  I also have some mild rash or skin irritation on my back.  Primarily or most likely because I'm constantly laying down.  The leg pain is a little less and I did get out with the boys for a morning walk even if it was super-duper cold.  Today's goal is not to nap or at least nap as for long.  

My positive attitude is not so much positive anymore.  I completely understand why people give up in this fight.  Primarily, it feels like they are shooting poison into you to try to win a battle.  And there are days that is it very difficult to put one foot in front of other.  

I guess the only positive I have from this week is that my biggest concern of puking (like the movie Dying Young) did not happen.  Sure, I was nausea at times, but the pills to combat it worked great.  

February 3, 2025, I will get a port placed.  I know this seems an overkill especially considering my last surgery, but it will be better in the long run because I won't have to get an IV.  February 4th will be my next chemo infusion. 

Until next time....

 

Chemo week

Tuesday, January 14th was my first day of chemo. It was a long day as first we had to meet with the doctor, technically the PA, then the educator, and then chemo. The first two appointments took about 20 minutes. The chemo was three hours. But it went fairly fast I thought.  

I’m in a room with about 12 stations. Some people are there as the same time, others in and out.  I’m a snoop so I was mostly watching people.  And staking out the best place for next visit.  

I got this awesome hoodie from BeWell which has zippers to access arms and ports. Unfortunately, my line was stuck in my hand so I didn’t get to use it as I wanted. But it would make a great gift for someone doing chemo. It is super warm. So warm that I didn’t need any blankets. 

Which brings me to my hand which is aching so bad today. On the way home, I emailed the surgeon asking for a port.  So on February 3rd I’ll be getting that placed. Since my chemo is the next day, we will stay over in Durango. 

For the most part besides the IV, yesterday went pretty smoothly. Today, I worked a full day and got in two walks with Murray and Pabst. I started getting tired around 5, but still functioned and didn’t fall asleep watching the movie. We’ve been watching Elona Holmes on Netflix.  

I did feel a little nausea around 6pm so I immediately took one of the nausea pills and continued on my water regiment.  Logged 94 oz of liquid today, 64 of it being straight water.  

And then it came time to take this off.  This little ditty was placed yesterday and would inject me 27 hours later with something to invigorate my white blood cells.  It didn’t hurt going on and was not too bothersome. 

But taking it off was a whole other story because of the fing adhesive.  I ended up having to lay on the bed and having Murray finish removing.  On a side note, I don’t know how people do this shit alone. Well sure enough it left a mark. 

And to think I get another one in 3 weeks. Yippie. Little birdies have told me that this little sucker will start making me feel bad, but who knows. 

My positive thinking is that everything happened in the first few months that these months are going to be a breeze.  Hopefully I am correct. 

Until next time….