Prepping for tomorrow’s chemo session.
Trust me, chemo is no picnic. But that doesn’t mean you can’t bring your own. The last time my friend Judy came with me for a chemo session it ended up lasting long past lunch time. I hadn’t had any breakfast because I was feeling so nervous, but I wasn’t worried because on a previous visit I’d noticed sandwiches, yoghurts, fruit and drinks set out. Well ha, on the occasion of which I speak both Judy and I were getting a little peckish around 3 o’clock and so she went off in search of the food trolley. The only thing left on one of the trays was a mystery meat sandwich that neither of us could bring ourselves to eat. As a result, I left there (around 5pm) feeling very weak and wonky. Not eating on chemo day is a VERY BAD IDEA …
Tomorrow my chemo is scheduled for 12 o’clock, which means if I’m lucky I’ll get in around 1.30. And then the infusion takes two and a half hours. Judy, who is once again accompanying me, wondered if there would be any mystery meat sandwiches on offer this time and it got me thinking that it would be a good idea to make sure we had some decent food with us. So tomorrow morning I’m going to make a few nice sandwiches and maybe even bring a couple of KitKats (don’t normally like chocolate, but during one chemo session I remember being grateful when Nog had some in his bag) and some room temperature juice, so that Judy and I can have a picnic in the chemo room.
The plan is to walk there and taxi back. It’s actually quite a nice walk through gardens and Maria Luisa Park, and takes about 45 minutes. I’ll pop a couple of tranqs before leaving home and then get the Emend (anti-nausea drug) when I arrive at the hospital. So between the meds and the fresh air I hope to be feeling okay. Anyhow, it feels good to have a plan. And today I can go out and pick up some nice stuff for sandwiches.
I’m not sure what else I’ll do. I want to go to yoga class (first time since I hurt my back). I have one English class and also have to get the stitches removed from my “boob job” (OMG – I never told you guys about the boob job. Later…). I had thought to give myself a pre-chemo treat and have my hair cut and coloured, but I stupidly forgot yesterday and washed my hair. So I dunno. I’ll probably just have a “normal” day. And savour every healthy feeling moment of it.
Sigh …
casa azahar 
The picnic idea is great – it’s awful to be hungry on top of all the other torture going on. And you know the food will be good. 🙂
It really sounds like it’s all going to be better this time, doesn’t it?
I’ll be thinking about you.
LikeLike
OMG! I would walk in there with so much stuff – used to bring a cooler filled with sandwiches, snacks, fruit, drinks. Then I’d have another bag filled with reading material – women’s health magazine, Cooking Light, Bicycling, a couple of books, a puzzle book – whatever and another bag which either had my computer or my daughter’s DVD player in case we wanted to watch a movie. I like options. Oh, and a fourth bag, which contained munchkins, cookies, or mini-muffins to put out for everyone (there was always food on the ledge for people).
Good luck tomorrow. Did you get your emend yet? Or will they be giving you your first dose in the IV?
LikeLike
Mmmmm… Mystery meat!
LikeLike
Hospital food sucks, anyway. I don’t know what they do to it, but I swear the smell of it would nauseate me sometimes when I was working. And I have a cast iron stomach. Yes, take something from home. And good luck.
LikeLike
Thinking of you and hoping your day goes well :hug:
LikeLike
That cooler idea was fab, Kim! az, if you need one, I can send one to you, since I’ve got a couple on hand. Just say the word!
Best of luck tomorrow; remember, you’ve got a crowd of us with you, in spirit at the very least. 🙂
LikeLike
Thinking of you and hope the packed lunch has lots of yummy things in it.
LikeLike
A cooler sound like a great idea, Kim, except we’ll be walking there (45 minutes) and about ten minutes after they start up the chemo I can’t drink, or even touch, anything cold. I love how prepared you were – awesome! 🙂
Just back from the supermarket. So far the picnic menu is tuna & dijon sandwich, shaved ham & goat cheese sandwich, and a couple of toasted chicken curry roll-ups. Oh, and Doritos (don’t worry, I’ll have fruit for brekky 😉 ). And will probably just have mineral water with lunch, which is supplied there, so I’m not too weighed down on the walk over.
Got a couple of magazines and we can always play Hangman on the iPhone.
Ooops, my student is here … gotta run!
LikeLike
I hope it goes well…bringing food is a great idea!
LikeLike
Bon apetit! Can you little mini boxes of raisins there? I always found them great for travelling (and for dance classes) as they’re so small, well protected in their box, a real hit of sweetness, and instant energy.
And a portion of fruit and veg an’ all!
LikeLike
Hope it’s going tolerably well this afternoon.
Have been thinking about you all day :hug:
LikeLike
Boob job? I’m waiting. . .
Hope your chemo goes well and I’m glad you thought to take something edible with you.
LikeLike
“Anyhow, it feels good to have a plan.”
Yup, preparation is the key to much in life. That, and drugs.
😉
Hope it goes smoothly for you xx
LikeLike
Almost ready to go. Just finishing some blueberries & yoghurt and then will shower, get dressed and leave.
Got the sandwiches all made and packed up – looks like way too much food but Nog says he’ll be happy to eat any leftovers I bring home.
Sadly or otherwise, the Doritos didn’t make it past yesterday afternoon …
LikeLike
Here I am in The Chair. Just got hooked up (ouch!) and Judy and I are settling in for the duration. She’s showing me some cool apps on her iPod Touch. Gonna break out the picnic soon. It’s kinda cool being able to post comments from here. This iPhone is turning out to be very useful.
LikeLike
That is very cool use of modern technology indeed! What’s your favourite ap on the iPhone?
LikeLike
Well, I’m home! About six and a half hours all together (five hours at the hospital). Am zonked and the chemo arm hurts like fuckity. It will be such a relief not to have to have this particular side effect anymore. And I should know by tomorrow around midday if the new anti-nausea stuff is working.
The picnic was fab, Judy was wonderful company and the time passed as pleasantly as possible (given the circumstances).
I just had a nice hot shower and am going to veg for the rest of the evening.
Full update tomorrow…
(hey, isn’t anybody watching Cat Town??)
LikeLike
welcome back to the land of the chemically intoxicated! sounds like you did very well this time — the LAST time without the much-needed port.
i’m due for my 8th oxi infusion on Tuesday. did you know that the average cycle in which an oxi infusion reaction occurs (in people for whom it does occur) is the 8.5th cycle? i’ll be sweating the next two.
take care & stay hydrated.
LikeLike
Is that the second after the surgery, Jed, including the 6 neo-adjuvant ones? Would it actually count as the “scary 8th” since you’ve had a break in betwee?
14 rounds in total sure sounds like a lot.
After my first op I was told I would have 8 in total. 3 before the liver resection and 5 after the liver resection. But back-to-back ops put the kibosh on that.
This time I’m told it will be 3 rounds, then a PET scan, then 3 more rounds (even if the scan results are negative).
“take care & stay hydrated”
I’m good at staying hydrated, though for the next few days my drinking water is going to have to be nuked until it’s tepid (the room temperature water is still too cold to handle).
Have you been keeping a diary?
LikeLike
yes, this will be #2 after surgery. I’m definitely hoping that the time-out will mean that I can handle the 14 total oxis without exploding.
I use plastic spoons and wooden chopsticks for everything to avoid the metal mouth.
I’m actually glad that you’re going to have 6 rounds even if the PET is negative. Sometimes successful chemo equates to a false negative in PET.
My only diary is the notes I add to my exercising site (where I record time & distance running every day.) I should do a better job at that – it’s very useful stuff to have when you meet with the onc, as you know! Happy recovery – you’re ahead after one inning!
LikeLike
I have an extra day planner here, since Nog got a new one for his birthday, and so I am going to start using that to chart my stuff.
So, does this count as doing 9 rounds for me, even though the first 3 were nine months ago?
Anyhow, I am HOPING they are going to let me do the 6 rounds. That’s what Dr Ana said during my second visit, but when I asked her to confirm this on Monday she started tapdancing again and said they wouldn’t confirm more treatment until after the first round was finished and the results of the PET were in. That set off a danger alarm, but my friend Pablo told me to relax and just take it one step at a time. I think Dr Ana is starting to realise that I go there with “witnesses” for reasons other than just having some company. I hope the Pabster is going to be available for future onc visits (every three weeks) because I think he is the best person for that particular “job”.
Sounds like we have different types of “metal mouth”, Jed. Mine is that my mouth constantly tastes of metal and chemicals. Sucking on orangy-flavoured candies helps.
LikeLike
Hi,
I would like to get in touch with you. I too am a colon cancer stage IV survivor with liver mets and now peritoneum spread. I am urgently looking for options and perhaps we can share info.
Kind regards
Mandy
LikeLike
Hi Mandy and welcome!
Yes, feel free to email me – you’ll find the address on the upper left-hand sidebar. I know from experience that sharing information and experiences is very valuable.
Hope to hear from you soon.
LikeLike
Pingback: round 4 … « casa az