Chemo round 1 is done and dusted!

I’m a quarter way through the first treatment regime! Getting the actual medication today was the easy part. The worst part was getting the cannula access. Due to the mastectomy, I’m only allowed to use my left arm for cannulas. Apparently, my cubital fossa veins (for my nurso friends) need to be saved for emergency use so they had to use the back of my hand. 

Today I requested to have a Port-a-Cath inserted. My nurse and I agreed I just don’t have enough veins for weekly blood tests and regular chemo for the next five months. This is a surgical procedure that will likely be done next week at national capital private hospital. 

For those who want a definition:

“A port-a-cath is used to give intravenous fluids, blood transfusions, chemotherapy, and other drugs. It is also used for taking blood samples. A port-a-cath may stay in place for a long time and helps reduce the need for repeated needle sticks”

Each treatment day will be spent in the hospital and takes anywhere between three and five hours. The hospital has a great set up and I’m confident in the nursing team. I’ve got plenty of reading (and texting) to do during the hospital visit to keep me busy. The chemo will take a few days before the side effects really start to kick-in. There are two weeks in between treatments to allow my body to recover. For now, I still have my hair, but Chris will be cutting it shorter this week.

I left the hospital at around 2pm feeling quite well but have been home a couple of hours now and am starting to feel a bit dizzy, dazed, and nauseated. Let’s hope that doesn’t get any worse. It kind of feels like being pregnant again. I don’t feel like moving around and I’m feeling a bit sea sick. 

Chris has been busy with the kids at home. They have settled into a routine and as we come into the warmer months, there’s plenty of outdoor activities to keep them busy (especially Chris’s tree-climbing).

Next dose in 2 weeks!

Finally, thanks to everyone for your ongoing love and support. We really can’t explain how lovely it has been knowing you have all been right there behind us. I wish we could thank every one of you more. 

Love Kirby