Words from the big chair #2

Dr. Klein and the nurse told me my white blood cell count was los again. But they delivered the news iin a terrific manner.

Hello again from the chemo throne.

I am still getting the chemo through an IV in my arm. They can’t consider a port in my chest until after they take a look at the blood clots again. And they can’t take a look at the blood clots until after my 4th treatment. So, its all about my arm veins for another couple of weeks.

The nurse who gave me the IV was an Army vet and he gave me a smooth stick under pressure – virtually painless. Painless needle sticks have become very important to me. Nurses trained to do triage while getting attacked by the Taliban = good IV.

But some bad news – I have to go back on the Neupogen. My white blood cell counts are low again. Which sucks.  I’m not sure if this is a Neupogen roller coaster ride that I will be on the whole time. I’m hoping that some tweaks in my nutritional plan will help my WBC stay up. Eating less sugar and more natural stuff will be a small price to pay compared to the bone pain I get from the Neupogen.

In other news, the Benedryl is kicking in and I’m going into my loopy place. It hits me pretty hard and pretty quick. Takes the edge off of everything.

I’ve got 3 ‘pushes’ then the drip.

As always, the “Red Devil” (Adryomyacin) goes in first. The nurse tells me that this one is harsh. Can cause serious nausea. But it is a necessary chemical for me to get – very effective and sort of a ‘standard issue’ chemo drug. This is the one that is also hardest on the veins and is probably causing the phlebitis in my arms (blood clots). Little bastard. Pushpushpush.

Vinblastine next. Pushpushpush.

Then Bleomyacin, which is rough on my lungs. Looks like I missed my window to take up pipe smoking. Pushpushpush.

And finally the Dacarbazine, which is my least favorite because it causes me so much pain in my arm and hand. Drip…drip…drip…

Did you know that some chemo chemicals are purple? Or aqua? Me neither. They turn your pee different colors. I’m used to mine being orange. Turquoise would be interesting.

Did you know they had free granola bars while you’re getting treatment? Mmmm…

What do Miley Cyrus and a granola bar have in common? I have no idea. I found the photo this way.

I am both amazed and depressed that this clinic is so ‘normal’. People come in, get their chemo, read magazines, socialize, nurses come and go and it feels a lot like a clubhouse to me. Part of the special treatment you get for being a member of the Cancer Club, I guess.

I find it a little depressing because this is a necessary part of life for so many people. Cancer treatment goes from something which is shocking and life changing to something along the lines of routine.

Beep beep beep. My IV keeps stopping.

Drip drip drip. The nurse fixes it.

Almost done. And a celebrity sighting – much to my mom and aunt’s glee – Bob Newhart. He’s older. His wife is here for chemo.

Quote of the day, which makes coming in for chemo worth it. My mom just said:

"He looks just like himself."

Classic.

Home again. Shots for myself tomorrow.  Rest. Sleep.

I’ll probably dream tonight that I am married to Susanne Pleschette, own a bed and breakfast and 3 guys named Daryl 2 guys named Daryl and 1 guy named Larry live next door.

Thanks for tuning in.

Words from the big chair

Check the hair

Sitting in the big chair. Dopey on Benadryl. The Ativan should kick in soon. Trying to count the number of pharmaceuticals going into my body right now. Let’s count together:

1. Lorazepam (Ativan)  – makes me calm.
2. Benadryl – to supress allergic reactions. Also makes me sleepy
3. Acetaminophen – fancy name for aspirin
4. Saline – 150mg – gotta keep the ole’ kidney’s clean
5. Aloxi – anti-nausea, so i don’t toss my cookies.
6. Decadron – steroids, makes dink more homers
7. viagra – puts a party in my pants!
8. ABVD – the big four

Ok, they are not giving me viagra. But i asked.

Everyone here is very nice. The facility is clean and bright. They have gingersnaps. I feel like I’m backstage in the VIP room of the Cancer Club. Which is a lot like getting backstage at the Whiskey A Go-Go, except the Rolling Stones have never played the UCLA Cancer Treatment Center (unless I get my wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation).

I am mostly loopy and nervous. My first chemo treatment in the hospital was a borderline nightmare with the long, long wait and multiple delays. Getting pumped ful of an unknown chemical which makes my hand burn at 11:30pm would probably turn most people off.

But it is very different experience to come to a clinic where all they do is chemo treatments. They are very understanding and patient (so far). They look at the chart and have a plan the entire way through. And did I mention the gingersnaps?

After Ativan and Benadryl this is what my clinic feels like

And in goes the Red Devil first. Adryomyacin. Turns my pee orange. Given first because it could cause some side effects or discomfort. Let the games begin.

I got the devil in my veins!

One down. 3 more to go.

Bleomyacin – This makes my hands go numb.

Vinblastine now. This chemical is made from a plant that grows in Madagascar. How about that.

Dacarbazine – This is the one I have a problem with. It burned my hand last time and I have to be on a slow drip to deal with it. This is mostly a side-effect of using the veins in my arm instead of having a port in my chest. The nurse is trying different things to make this less unpleasant (tingling in my hands, mild pain in IV area).

Good attention from the nurse. Time for more gingersnaps.

Oh, and my white blood cell counts are a little low – White Blood Cells @ 2.7 (4.1-10.9) and Granulocytes were at 1.4.

I’ll let my mom Google those terms and she if she can come up with a diagnosis…

In the meantime, I’ll be getting Neupogen shots which will raise my white blood cells. I want Jen to give me the shot at home – really make her uncomfortable. But we will have our neighbors the nurses do it for us. Always a good idea to have a couple nurses around for these things. They are small needles – like insulin for diabetes.

The Neupogen works with my bones where they make white  blood cells. It will help keep me healthy but could cause bone pain. Everything has its price.

All done. The IV goes beep beep. I feel just like my car after an oil change at Jiffy Lube.

I'd rather be on the beach with this guy.