The first round of the second set of Chemo drugs is in the “bag” and in me. I definitely felt this set of drugs as they were going in, unlike the first set. The most noticeable effect was abdominal cramping. That was dispatch with a dose atropine. That and steroids are now my drugs of choice. As I write this update the cramping as well as the other side effects I experienced during the infusion are things of the past. It will take a day or two to see what additional impact this Chemo might have on me. Tonight, as I write this update, I have not experienced any impacts. This next set of Chemo drugs came with a twenty page manual covering the infusion pump that I wear home for two days. Thursday at noon they will take it off. While that may be daunting to some people, as an engineer it is downright exciting to figure out how it works. Y’all know how I love to read manuals so I get two things I love to do with a take home, do it yourself infusion pump.
There are other warnings and obligations that occur with a take home, do it yourself infusion pump. There is a bag of stuff labeled “Chemotherapy Spill Clean-up Kit”. It contains such items as a Scoop and Scraper, a 21g Green-Z® Solidifier Pouch, a 12”x12” Super Barrier Zorb Sheet, and a 33”x40” Red Biohazard Bag. I can be my own HAZMAT team if something comes loose and the Chemo drug gets out, instead of going into my body. I find it somewhat funny that I am “HAZMATing” my body. Additionally, while I am cleaning up the chemical spill I am to call 911 because the port that is directly tied to the vein leading to my heart would have been compromised. I only hope I have enough time to clean up the spill before the EMT team takes me to the Emergency Room. That would be another Robertson Adventure for sure. You have to admit it is hilarious to think of the sight of me in the Open Back Gown that comes in the kit cleaning up the spill as the EMT cadre come in the door. I would have to be the one to clean the spill up since I was also told by the infusion nurse today that I was to flush the toilet twice when I was through doing my thing since that is how the Chemo makes its escape from my body. If flushing the toilet properly is a concern for the safety of my family from the bad effects of this round of Chemo then how could I ask Jan to risk her life to clean up my HAZMAT spill? Love can only go so far. I make the mess so I clean it up. The EMT responders will have to wait to take me to the Emergency Room.
Additionally the drugs in this round have a seven page fact sheet with four of those pages listing, in three columns, possible Side Effects, How to Minimize Side Effects, and Possible Treatments. As an example one of the Side Effects is Alopecia, also known as hair loss. The How to Minimize Side Effect column starts off with “Alopecia cannot be prevented but here are some tips to help you cope with your hair loss.”. The first tip is “Use a soft hairbrush.”. There is no Possible Treatments listed since they already informed us that hair loss cannot be prevented. I know that it may not be cool to make light of the myriad of things that have to be considered with Chemotherapy but I have to find humor in all of this as I go through this next phase of treatments. I certainly understand how all of this is not funny to those fellow cancer patients. I guess I just have a different viewpoint than most people.
This last weekend had both girls in town and my brother and his wife. It was a great weekend filled with lots of fun things to do. It was a bit sad as everyone left Sunday. Those are indeed precious moments. Tonight, Melanie and Jeff brought more food over. They said it was their favorite dish. I cannot wait to see what it will taste like. I have gotten used to the metal taste so it has almost become normal to me.
Since I referred to food above, let me finish this update with some more don'ts that I was informed of about one of the drugs I am taking. It contains platinum which is ironic since everything taste like metal! It also causes ice and cold to be the enemy. Cold foods and drinks, cold air to the lungs, and cold to the hands all cause negative side effects. That means to me that I will eat and drink my tepid food while breathing warm air from the steam kettle and wearing ski gloves. Another hilarious sight if I do say so myself.
As always please continue to support us in all the ways God ordains but most especially in prayer.
Thank you,
Price
No comments:
Post a Comment