April 21, 2025

Because of all these appointments, I have been working remotely. My company got a new laptop for me and our IT guys mirrored my desktop to my laptop and set up a VPN connection for me. Told you I work for a good company. It's been easier to work at home, run to an appointment and just come back, picking up where I left off, working however long I need. 

Background info: I am not a medicine taker. Very rarely do I take anything over the counter. I've got a pretty stellar immune system, but on the oddity I get a sniffle or anything, I usually hit it by upping my supplements. Medicines and me don't get along. Whatever side effect the box says will happen, typically I will have the opposite of. For example, DayQuil is supposed to make you stay awake yet it makes me jittery and sleepy and NyQuil keeps me awake with violent nightmares. Go figure. Needless to say, my biggest concern with treatment was how my body is going to react. 

April 21. My first treatment day. Marsha, my friend and co-worker, took me to this appointment. She happened to have a doctor appointment herself close to the same time as mine so it worked out. Because of the limited space and other people with possibly lower immune systems, they don't want visitors with patients. So this was no big deal that Marsha dropped me off instead of Nathan. That way he didn't have to miss any more time from work and could just come pick me up when I was done. They prefer to have a driver for patients for their first treatment in the event of a reaction or side effect that would hinder driving. 

So, I get checked in and the first thing they do are labs. They check the CBC (complete blood count) to ensure the patient is well enough for treatment that day. This was my first one so I had no doubts that I would be fine. From there, you have to wait for them to have the pharmacy mix your cocktail. This wasn't a very long wait. Long enough for me to play a couple rounds of Adina's "Cattywampus" word game on my phone.  https://cattywampus-thegame.com/

They call me back and get me set up in my recliner. The nurse is letting me know what the steps will be for administering the cocktail. First is Benadryl, anti-nausea meds and steroids to counteract any side effects that may be forthcoming. Then it's the chemo drugs. Then a little flush with Heparin. (The Heparin is to prevent blood clots.)

I pull out my laptop and start working. The gentleman next to me saw what I was doing and actually asked me if I was working. I said yes I was. He then proceeded to say how lucky the company I work for is for having such a dedicated employee and so forth. He was a really sweet older gentleman (think my dad's age). I thanked him for his compliments but in my head I'm thinking what else am I gonna do to kill the next 3 hours? Might as well be productive, right. 

I did eat my lunch while getting treatment and working. Bologna sandwich and a protein bar. Of course my handy dandy 64oz water jug is right next to me too.

Keep in mind my age and what women tend to go thru at this age... perimenopause. Also keep in mind that they typically keep treatment rooms cooler because of all the equipment and bodies. I was wearing pants, a t-shirt and an opened, long sleeve button up. Add that my laptop was on my lap, generating heat. Well, I get a hot flash. I made the mistake of fanning myself out of habit, lean forward and as I was about to take off the button up, it was all hands on deck. Nurses, staff, doctors, everyone was around me with syringes, needles, vital machines, you name it. I thought someone called a code or something. They were looking at me with panicked faces. My nurse asked if I was ok... I told the whole entourage that I had a hot flash. This was met with a follow up question of whether I get those often or not. I flatly told them yes, menopause. They checked my vitals anyhow, but the majority went back to their posts. The doctor did make sure that I was really ok, but apparently one of the first major side effects to the drug I was currently being administered was hot flashes. NOW they tell me... I did thank them for being on the ball tho. 

All is well and everyone goes back to their things, until later on when I needed to readjust in my chair. This recliner has 2 positions - lay back or sit up. No in between. I'd been laying back for quite some time and was getting uncomfortable and decided to sit up. Who knew that would be another trigger... Not as many reactions this time luckily, but was still questioned what I was doing. I just said that I needed to readjust and get more comfortable. Panic averted again...

Apparently people just sit still for 4 hours while getting treatment and never move... lol

I get thru the treatment process without medical issues. I let Nathan know when to come get me. Once my port is disconnected I'm free to go. I pack my belongings, tell the nice man beside me bye and head on downstairs to wait for my guy.