Chemo went well

That went (surprisingly) well.

It turns out that the night sweats were most likely a side effect of the steroid I took (as a kind of systemic anti-inflammatory, if I understand it correctly). Bad news: I had another (via infusion) this morning, and will take the pills tonight and tomorrow. That is part of my overall regimen. Also, the steroids seems to produce a lot of stomach acid in me, which the anti-nausea meds don’t address (weird science). So I need to get an OTC drug: Prilosec.

Once we got on top of the upset stomach, all went well. No problems with the vein, or the meds going into me. My blood count looks good.

One funny thing: she gave me atavan to calm me down “this may make you feel sleepy.” Nope. I was a slightly ‘out of it’ but no where near sleep.

I’m home and taking care of odds n ends. Feel free to call, but I really don’t have a lot more to say than this, so I’ll understand if you don’t 🙂

My goals for the day: clear my desk off a bit (financial stuff), make a to-do list, go for a walk with Sasha (likely, 15 mins only), do a yoga session (even if its just half the program.

John’s planning to make shrimp and broccoli stir fry for dinner tonight. YUM.

10 thoughts on “Chemo went well

  1. lisa Post author

    thank you! dinner was a yogurt smoothie — yogurt is big in my life. I’m not normally an acid eater, but I think I’ll make that even more of a awareness for me.

  2. Diana

    I take Zantac for my hives, but they are initially billed as an antacid. Has given me a stomach of steel. But yogurt’s very good. Surprisingly, ginger can be soothing to the stomach, too.

  3. lisa Post author

    I am a weirdo when it comes to ginger — it consistently GIVES me heartburn. I can have powdered ginger in cookies and such, but crystallized or raw or even a lot of juice = urp city.

    After last night I learned that prilosec is not sufficient to cope with the effects of the steroid. I was up at 3am with a burning hole for a stomach. A glass of water with baking soda calmed it enough that I could go back to sleep, but I spoke with the on-call doc at 8am. I’m now taking my anti-nausea med as well as prilosec, and 1/2 the steroid dose. I’m also eating and taking the anti-nausea/upset meds 30 mins before the steroid.

    We’ll see.

  4. azahar

    Uff, those steroids had an awful effect on me. I got serious mood swings and asked to be taken off them. For chronic stomach issues since the colon op I take omeprazol.

    Are you drinking enough water? The key thing while on chemo is to stay hydrated. At least three litres of water a day, honey.

    You don’t have a port?

  5. lisa Post author

    No port — we’re hoping that with only 4 sessions (three now!) I won’t need one. The drip worked fine yesterday, no collapsing veins or anything.

    I am so thirsty! I NEED to drink water, and am supplementing with herbal tea, sparkling water and yogurt shakes.

    Mostly today, I feel . . . loopy. Slight off center and out of it. Very odd. A lot like when I was on the narcotics, actually.

  6. azahar

    Four sessions in the vein (hand?) is a lot. I hope that goes okay for you.

    Yes, you need to drink water. Just sip it all day long. Other liquids are good too, but at least three litres of water.

    Usually first sessions go better than subsequent ones. It’s accumulative. Getting lots of rest is very important. A couple of naps a day is a good idea.

    Hope I’m not coming across as bossy! 🙂

    Just trying to help. Been there, but with a different cocktail. So I don’t actually know what yours will do. Besides, everyone reacts in their own way. But things like hydration and rest are really basic norms.

    Good luck!

  7. lisa Post author

    I think we’re going to switch the vein used . . . from side to side if nothing else. And yes, I am expecting future sessions (and afterwards) to go differently.

    I had a nap yesterday — which is essentially unheard of for me. I figure its all about the self-care.

    I’m drinking! sparkling, herbal tea, juice . . . 🙂 You’re not bossy — it’s good to hear the same info from different places.

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