Treatment Day

Alright, excited we are finally going to battle. Started treatment on April 1 at City of Hope which is an excellent hospital that specializes in only cancer. Got to hospital by 9 am for blood work and chemo (cisplatin) started at 11:00 am and completed by 7:00 pm. During infusion they wheeled me to radiation treament as the IV's were easily transportable. Also received nausea medicine and steroids. Was dizzy after treatment with minor upset stomach. Long day but no real complications.

Today, Day 2 fatigue setting in and especially after today’s treatment at 2pm. Did ride the elliptical this morning to keep the blood pumping but nothing strenuous as directed. Nausea medicine seems to be working as no vomiting or otherwise has occurred. But I have started the chemo hiccups, rather uncontrollable and a nuisance. They gave me a shot prior to radiation because I could not receive the “iron” mask (plastic type actually) with tongue depressor with hiccups. It appears one with chemo hiccups does not typically get nausea until the steroids wears off. In my case that is two more days. They told me it takes 4 or 5 days after chemo for nausea to kick…hope we can avoid it.

The mask I’m using for radiation is a moldable carbon or plastic material fitted to your head and top of shoulders. You are very much immobile as the Tomo-Therapy Machine is extremely precise and I cannot move at all, very tight tolerances. It has holes through-out for breathing but is not that easy. With a mouth guard and tongue depressor in you cannot breath though your mouth, so you’re left with your nose. I have deviated septums with about a total 40% breathing capacity through my nose, so it’s a little difficult. If one had a claustrophobic problem it would be challenging. Going to bed, tired.