October 6, 2025

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Infusion day.

Let's back up a little. The infusion on the 15th of September was a partial dose.. 25% reduction of the new chemo cocktail without the follow up Neulasta shot. I did not experience the "I wanna die" reaction, but for a week following there were body aches and pains... not nearly as bad as before but still not nice. I also had some skin rashes appear over the last couple of months. In July, my PCP looked at one, prescribed me a cream for it and after a couple of weeks without improvement, she referred me to a dermatologist. I'd visited the dermatologist and she prescribed a stronger ointment/cream to put on. That worked and got rid of them, but when I had the infusion on the 15th, they came back. My assumption is they are from the chemo. 

I also started seeing a counselor. Not that I'm having any major issues like suicidal thoughts or anything like that, but these drugs are certainly bringing to the surface some things I need to address, the guilt over losing my parents for example. She's great... reminds me of my mother. 

I've also checked off my semi-annual dental checkup. Fortunately, the cleaning went just fine and the chemo has not affected anything there... Thank God!!

 October 6. Infusion day. 

I had to go to Stony Point for my labs and my office visit. Nothing fantastic to report there, other than the PA didn't seem to think that the reaction I had to the partial dose of treatment was normal. She didn't say so in so many words, but her "Hm" with a question mark on her face makes me think I'm reacting more than average to the "red devil" cocktail. 

Then it was time to "Oregon Trail" it over to the North Hospital. (My GPS on my phone loses signal almost instantly.) I did manage to avoid getting dysentery on my way over. 😜

The North hospital folks were about the same as before, except the security guard on duty smiled, greeted me and even complimented me on my pocket book. The check in lady was the same... smug and deadpan "sign in there, take a mask and have a seat". Then I was quickly called over to check in for my hospital bracelet. Fortunately I didn't have to wait the 2 hours I was anticipating on and was called back rather quickly. (Let me explain.. while the Stony Point pharmacy is undergoing remodel, they are giving patients adequate time to have labs done there and to travel over to the North Hospital so appointment times are spaced out a lot.)

Judy was my nurse this time. Super friendly and kind. We chatted a little, she brought me a snack and hooked me up. Since this infusion was only for the Immunotherapy I wasn't there long. 

I will say that the day trips there and back are really taking their toll on my knees... especially my left one. To the point that when I'm leaving in the mornings for the trip to VCU, it's like it already knows what's happening and starts hurting almost immediately. (3 hours there, 3 hours back home)

The upside at this point.... no more chemo treatments prior to surgery. My eyebrows and eye lashes have grown back, my head hair has started coming back. (The downside is I have to shave my legs again... )

Next up are pre-op appointments, follow-up dermatologist appointment, weekly counselor appointments, work and trying to get things in order on the ranch before I'm unable to do anything for a while....

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