The Red Devil

The Red Devil is the name used on the streets for Adriamycin, one of the meds that I received today during my 1st chemo. The nurse even asked where I learned that name from since she doesn't like to use it. Adriamycin is straight up poison. Not only is it a scary red color, the nurse has to wear a full gown and gloves to give it to me. She has to do a manual push, which means she sits there and pushes the meds into my IV, as opposed to having a drip. It took about 15 minutes. I asked her what would happen if someone touched it. The answer, "It burns your skin off." And that s*** is going in my body? Are you *&%^ kidding me? Sorry, I don't normally curse, but seriously, you can't call that medicine. 

I'm sure you're wondering how my first chemo treatment went today. I made a long list of stuff to take in my chemo bag. I even brought along my work lunch bag for water and snacks in. I think people thought I was going to stay overnight. I had so much stuff! We checked in and I felt that the receptionist was extremely nice, knowing that I was having chemo today. Then I saw my clinical research nurse (I was randomized into the control group, by the way). She went over all the possible side effects of each medicine that I would be receiving. My oncologist, Dr. Chan, came in as well and checked my lungs and heart. We talked for a bit about how I felt being in the control group versus the one receiving Herceptin. To be honest, I was a little disappointed, but Tony is happy that I won't need an extra year of chemo. The bright side is I will receive very close monitoring and beyond excellent care. 

Before I was taken into the chemo suite, my nurse had to double check the dosages on all of the medications. About ten minutes later, I was taken into the suite. It reminded me of the holding area before I go into surgery. Lots of semi-private areas with recliner chairs. I saw a few patients using those chairs. She asked me if I wanted a private room, which I gladly accepted. The private room is small with its own bathroom. 

All of the procedures were explained to me once again. She poked the needle into my port and I didn't feel a thing, thanks to the numbing cream they gave me. Then she drew some blood to make sure that it worked properly. Sometimes, the port can rotate if it's been in for too long. I was given pre-meds, Zofran, Tylenol, and Decadron. It was now time for the Adriamycin. I tried not to freak out as the red liquid was going inside of my body. The next medicine, Cytoxan, was given on a drip and that took an hour. During that time, I bossed Tony around a bit. Can you take my shoes off? Get my blanket? Get my mentos? Get my Nook? Help me to the bathroom? Get my tissues and lunch bag? Recline my chair? He didn't like it very much. 

Once the Cytoxan was done, I was free to go home. Woohoo! We had dinner at my mom's and are now relaxing at home. I felt a little tiny bit nauseated, so I took a Compazine over an Ativan. Dr. Chan said NOT to be a hero and he wanted me to take the meds as soon as I felt the least bit nauseated. But doc, I have a gene mutation, remember? I am the almighty Phoenix! 

I was given 2 anti-nausea medicines and I threw away the instructions, so I had no idea which one caused less drowsiness. Thank goodness for Google. Ativan is used for depression and comes with a whole list of side effects. They both do, actually. Let's see how I feel tomorrow morning. Tony took tomorrow off, so he can "monitor" me. Tomorrow comes with a new set of challenges. Injecting myself with Neupogen to increase my white blood cells. $300 a pop, without insurance. Tune in.

Love, 

Chinh

This is my port, right after she stuck a needle in it. 

Manual push of the Adriamycin

Red Devil

1st AC treatment, relaxing in my recliner

Waiting to be called into the chemo suite and drinking LOTS of water. I really planned on wearing makeup today (since I knew I was going to be taking lots of pics, but ran out of time this morning.) Yes, I'm vain.