One down, 7 to go!

This morning I had my first chemotherapy infusion. I was delighted to find out that my friend and neighbor who is a nurse at the center was available to be my chemo nurse - yay! I love you, Michelle! Michelle is such a beautiful person and she has a gentle touch and fantastic sense of humor. So when we realized my port was only allowing fluid in and not blood withdrawal, we were able to laugh about it and then gave up and she took blood from my arm - she is so good at it that I didn't even feel the needle. She's GOOD!

While we waited for the CBC results to come back, we talked through the mini pharmacy of medications they're putting me on to prevent and minimize side effects. Once the results were in and normal we got started and they started with diphenhydramine/Benadryl to prevent or manage a possible allergic reaction. It made me very sleepy. Well...that plus the half of an Ativan they told me to take in advance, and the 2 Vicodin I needed for the port incision pain - all taken before arriving -- it amazes me I wasn't a drooling, slurring mess. thankfully, I wasn't. Michelle got me up to speed on all the medications - what to take and when - and then she proceeded to switch the bags for my infusion and there it was...the first chemotherapy drug I received - Taxotere.

Once we got started that Benadryl really kicked in and I fell asleep - I nearly slept through the entire infusion - 90 minutes worth. LOL. I had planned to visualize the liquid gold vaporizing cancer cells. I'm going to have to come up with a strategy for staying awake during the infusions so I can do that - it's important. I'd like to note that when I opened my eyes and looked up at Bob in the next chair over, he was sound asleep too! :)

Anyway, you didn't really think I'd just post a picture of the drug bags on the IV stand did you? Nah! There I am, below! May as well take lots of pictures with hair and before the typical chemo swelling starts happening which you look like a totally different person during chemo. But, really, my purpose for taking all these pics is to share what I'm going through - to hopefully help others - present and future - to get through their struggles of any kind - and to help me by using this blog journal as a release and a reference for later on.

So, live strong my friends - laugh, love, and live. Our time here is precious and should not be squandered. Do your best at everything but don't beat yourself up over little things that just aren't important. Love your loved ones like there's no tomorrow. Make fun and fantastic plans for the future. Worship your body and mind since you've only got one of each and there's no exchange or return policy. Stand up for those who can't stand up for themselves. Be a warrior!

Love,

Julie