The past couple of days have been quite challenging. As many of you know from Facebook and previous posts, I was supposed to start on Tuesday. Well that didn't happen. After making me wait 2+ hours and telling me my treatment was about to start, they told me they made an administrative error and told me they couldn't treat me that day. Try to imagine the emotional kick in the gut that was for me. So they rescheduled me for yesterday (8/31).
The chemo session yesterday went from 9:00 until about 3:30, but mostly was hassle-free. Better yet, it was completely barf-free. I had enough nausea for about 20 people, but no cookies were tossed. Last night I was able to eat saltines and plain, dry whole wheat Eggo waffles with relative ease. Then I slept for about 9 hours.
Imagine my surprise when I woke up this morning feeling better than I have in more than a week. Go figure. Now, there's still time for the many potential side effects to rear their hydra-like selves, but I am optimistic for some reason that it won't get much worse. Now get this: my optimism worries me. What can I say? I'm psychotic.
I have a slow dripping ball of chemo attached to my porto-cath that I have to wear until tomorrow at 1. Then I go back for round 2 on Tuesday, 9/13, and then every other Tuesday thereafter for 3 months. I think I can handle it. If you are interested, here's a summary from the New England Journal of Medicine that discusses my chemo treatment, known as Folfirinox: NEJM - FOLFIRINOX
The nurses at the VCU Massey Cancer Center-Stony Point are about the nicest people I've ever met, and they do their jobs spectacularly. I am thankful for their outstanding care.
I've also been getting supportive e-mails and FB messages from friends, and from former colleagues through Linked In. It's easy to forget how many friends you make during your life; I have been reminded and am, again, thankful.
Okay, that's enough mush. I feel good for now and that's really all I can ask for. As Janis sang so soulfully: "Feeling good was good enough for me, mm mmm, good enough for me and my chemotherapy" -- or something like that ;-) Kris Kristoferson wrote that song by the way, if you didn't know that.
Babbling now...until next time. Comment away.
Glad to hear things went well with the first treatment and you had good care at Massey! I know you'll be glad to be done with the entire round, though. Maybe we can re-write the entire song? My contribution----"Freedom's just another word for no catheter tubes". Thanks for the blog. You and Elaine remain in my thoughts!
ReplyDeleteLove the musical references....and the optimism! It's a good thing! Thanks, Mike. There are lots of folks here in CT rooting for you.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Today is Grammy's birthday - born 106 years ago today.
ReplyDeleteVery happy to hear the chemo is going as smoothly as could be hoped. I am laughing about the Bobby McGee reference. Brian and I were just singing that song in the car on the way to work yesterday! (yes, we are a bit eccentric...but it's a phenomenal song) And I agree with Mary: just go with the optimism :)
ReplyDeleteI L-O-V-E My Prince Charmike!!! I am SO glad round 1 went well and that you're feeling good. That said, just because you feel a little better doesn't mean you should feel free to engage in break dancing or raucous Clyde wrestling. Be gentle while you have the Chemo beer tap hanging out of you. You'd think with all you've been through that your wife would make you more chocolate chip cookies.... :) Love to you and my PIC
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