Here we go, round 5 of chemo! There was a little change-up this week: labs and chemo all in one day. Normally, I get my labs earlier in the week to make sure my body’s up for the chemo challenge, but this time, we decided to go full-on double feature. So, bright and early, I made my drive to get the labs done. They went through my trusty chemo port, and guess what? Success on the first try! No repeat sticking today, folks! The nurse left the port accessible since I had chemo later in the day. I do love smart people who know how to save a girl from unnecessary needle stabs.
I headed upstairs to meet Nurse Huggins—first time for both of us. We’re not sure how I ended up on her schedule (since Nurse Marti was supposed to be around), but hey, we rolled with it. Let’s just say Huggins was… a little off her game. I won’t call it “scatterbrain,” but we did go a few rounds trying to figure out when I should give myself those delightful Nevestym injections. We went back and forth so much that I felt like I was on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire—”So, is Saturday and Sunday your final answer?” Spoiler alert: Saturday and Sunday won.
After the lab fun, I headed back to work, blasting gospel music in my truck. It was so loud I’m pretty sure I saw God riding shotgun. Back at work, I tried to focus, but soon enough, it was time for the chemo ride. And guess who’s back? Yep, Melissa! We found a parking spot (a rare event in itself) and snapped our traditional front-entrance selfie before settling in for the hour-long wait while they prepped my meds. Melissa passed the time by reading through my blog—every now and then, she’d laugh, or I’d see her smiling. She said she really enjoyed it, and honestly, knowing that brings me so much comfort. Cancer is terrifying, and the unknown that comes with it is even scarier, but writing about it with a bit of humor has been my therapy. I got the idea from a podcast called The Funny Side to Breast Cancer. Who knows what the future holds, but I hope I never lose my sense of humor through this journey.
Alright, back to chemo. They called me back, and we were off to the races for round 5. Since my port was already accessed, we skipped all the sterile prep drama. I got my warm blanket and handed over my ice packs to chill in their industrial freezer for my favorite part—icing my hands and feet during the session to keep that neuropathy away (I hope!). The nurse started my premeds while Melissa took control of the TV, landing on The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Yeah, I did not see that one coming. Melissa, a closet Housewives fan? Who knew?
As usual, I felt the effects of the meds, but this time I didn’t fall asleep. I kept talking—well, slurring—but hey, I was awake! My words were definitely jumbled, so I’m not responsible for anything that came out of my mouth. What’s said during chemo stays in chemo, right?
We went through the usual routine—premeds, Taxol, me with my hands and feet on ice (not loving it but doing it), and finishing up with Carbo. At one point, curiosity got the best of me, and I asked the nurse about Adriamycin and Cytocin, the next drugs on my horizon. Turns out Adriamycin is pushed into my line via syringe in about 10 minutes, and Cytocin’s a 30-minute drip. Oh, and Adriamycin will give me red urine—something fun to look forward to! Thankfully, I’ve still got weeks before I cross that bridge.
After chemo, we headed back, and let me just say: other people’s driving makes me nervous. It’s not that Melissa drives badly—she’s a pro—but when you’re not in control of the car, it’s a whole different ballgame. I pulled my hat down over my eyes as she expertly navigated through I-95 traffic like a boss, while I felt like a nervous wreck. Finally, I got back in my own truck and drove home at my little-old-lady pace. Safe and sound.
Here’s to surviving round 5 and continuing the journey—one day, one chemo, one laugh at a time!
