There is a first time for everything...

As the saying goes, there's a first time for everything. And today, I experienced my first chemo. The actual treatment didn't hurt except for the prick of the needle where the IV was inserted.

Mark was there to support me. I'm glad he was there. I love you!

I shed some tears before going to the hospital because I was scared and while talking to the nurse when we talked about our kids. I'm extra sensitive when I talk about them. But I'm allowed to have these moments. Those tears didn't last very long. It helped when I saw George Clooney on Ellen. That was fun! :) Watching the show Ellen (and seeing George C) made me feel better and helped me forget that I had an IV on my left arm and poison entering my body. But I have the best guy in the world right beside me at the hospital, he's my George Clooney, my knight in shining armour and that's my husband, Mark. :)

After the last medicine was given I developed a mild headache, it felt more like pins and needles on the crown area. I asked Jessica, the nurse who helped me, if that was normal. She said it isn't so she consulted that oncologist on call, Dr. R. Normally the pins and needles sensation is felt on fingers/toes. Mine was on the head. I'm still experiencing it as I write this entry.

Dr. R said it is not because of the chemo because I just started. They think I'm developing something and I have to keep an eye on it. If it doesn't go away overnight I have to go to emergency for observation.

My temperature was also a bit high after the chemo was given, 37.9. Since the hospital visit it went down to 37.4. They told me if it goes higher than 38 i have to go to the hospital ASAP. My blood pressure on the other hand was normal.

Prayers do work. I prayed prior to chemo, during and after. I think it helped me with this first cycle. I don't feel anything YET. I'm starting to get weak. I'll take a nap soon. I took medications for vomitting/nausea and I think it is working. Good because I hate it. The side effects will happen in the next couple of days. I have to brace myself for that. More prayers and my family's love and support will help me get through it.

A nurse will come over to our house tomorrow at noon to inject Neulasta to my system. It will help my white blood cells. I hope it does because it is pretty darn expensive.

Well, as Mark said before we left the hospital, "one down and a few more to go". It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. But I'll see how my body will react in the next couple of days. We're meeting Dr. K on Feb 6th and also have some blood tests. My next chemo is February 9th.