reply to post by Night Star
Star.....sorry it took me so long to get back here to respond. I typed a super long reply, and then did something wrong and it didn't post! I had a
couple of bad days and just didn't get a chance to type the whole thing over again. When I found out I was going to have to have chemo, they gave me
the option of getting it daily by IV or getting a port surgically implanted, where they put a device up near your collarbone, under the skin. Then
they put an IV (mainline) directly into your artery in the neck. That way, they can attach it to a pump which delivers the chemo around the clock for
4 days, and that's it. You just go in, they attach the pump, and you don't worry about it....on the 4th day, you just go back and the take it off.
Saves your arms from getting all bruised up and a lot of time.
The only drawback is the surgery to have the port put in. But after that, it's great...because any time you need an IV for ANYTHING, they just go
thru the port...no more sticking the arms (and you know with this type of illness they re constantly sticking you!) Typically, they just leave it in
for a year or two, just in case you need more treatment later (but you have the option of removing it). I am so glad I made the choice to go that
way.
Where I had my chemo, it was just a huge open room, with a bunch of recliners, and a couple of TVs......so everyone just talked to everyone. The first
day I walked in I was terrified! Like you said, there were some VERY sick people. Most had no hair and were very frail. I totally thought the worst.
As my treatment went along, I never lost my hair, and everyone pretended to hate me for it LOL....like when I walked in they would say "oh....she
comes Ms THING....pfffft" and do the pretend hair flip gesture LOL! They were just teasing though. But in reality, I felt soooo bad....because I
didn't lose my hair or weight and everyone else there had. I still don't understand it....I had no problems like that. But the atmosphere there was
just like that....people joking and laughing....teasing each other. The culture here in the south is like that though. We're a tough breed I guess
you could say!
There were some though who really affected me, such as the tiny lady shivering under that threadbare blanket they gave her. You could tell straight
away she was dying. That really hit me, being my first day, and touched my heart even more.
That's when I got the idea of making blankets for the chemo dept. It kept me occupied, and it also helped them. It's pathetic, the healthcare here
in the U.S......a hospital, with not enough blankets to go around!
I didn't get sick AT ALL on my first round of chemo....I felt fine. It was the second round combined with radiation that got me. Four days into it
that's when I wound up in an ambulance on my way to the hospital with low counts (like what Lisa is going through) and having to get the bone marrow
treatments. I guess overall I have been lucky compared to most I have seen. If you saw me on most days you would never know I was sick by looking at
me.....but that makes it tough too, because people don't realize how sick I am.
2 more weeks, and I get new MRIs, etc.... and hopefully it is all gone! **please God!** My doctor is feeling good about it. Whatever the case, I have
learned so much through this...and I am committed to working with the cancer society for the rest of my life to give back the kindness and support
that has been given too me. There are some WONDERFUL people in this world....even ifit at times does not seem like it!