The Red Devil (the drug not Donna) just starting
The Red Devil going in
Having a laugh with Donna
Hi everyone!
Well, round two has begun! And I got one of my favourite nurses, Donna!
Because of the drugs I am on this time, the protocol was done a little differently. I had to take my two anti-nausea drugs (Ondansetron and Dexamethasone) at the cancer clinic, just prior to getting the chemo. And have to take the two drugs on a schedule until Wednesday. The Dexamethasone this time is less pills (and I don't mind that). I was given a couple of prescriptions for additional meds that I may need. Metolopramide which I can take any time if feel nausea setting in and I am hoping that it won't decide to visit me! All I can say on the drugs - is thankfully my drug plan pays for them - almost $700 for them!
Donna had a little problem in finding a good vein - and I thought mine were good! But she did find one and got the IV in just fine, just a mild bruise. She started with the Doxorubicin (aka the Red Devil), this one is not done via a bag of solution, the drug came in two tubes. 
The drug is pushed in via one of the additional ports that are in the IV. After every 5cc's of the drug, saline is put through and then the line is checked to see if the blood is coming back - this is a good sign. This continues until both tubes are empty.
The drug is pushed in via one of the additional ports that are in the IV. After every 5cc's of the drug, saline is put through and then the line is checked to see if the blood is coming back - this is a good sign. This continues until both tubes are empty.The Red Devil going in
Then the Cyclophosphamide is let loose! This one they put in very quickly - usually 30 minutes, but if any congestion or headaches start, then it is slowed down. Went ok for the first 15 minutes and then a mild headache started - right then, Donna slowed the drug down so that it would take 45 minutes.
That was about it! I see Dr. Pansegrau on March 13 (and yes it is a Friday again), bloodwork is done on the 14th and chemo is on the 16th - time to be determined.
No side effects yet but they could appear whenever they want! And yes, the hair will go again - just as it was coming in!
Ciao for now.
Roni
Having a laugh with Donna
12 comments:
You can do this sweetheart! We are all rooting for you! It was nice to see some hair for a little while, it thought it would give you a tease for when it comes back full force after all this is done and over with.
All my love
keep your spirits up sister!
Hang in there Roni. We're all behind you.
Thanks for keeping us updated. Let us
Know if we can do anything for ya!!
Wendy & Sam
Thanks for the update Roni, I sincerely hope that today's treatment went well for you... what was with the "couldn't get a vein up" I have seen your veins! They pump up quite nicely! I think the veins were showing the red devil just who the boss was and that the devil could course through the veins when the veins were good and ready! Go Veins! Go Roni... We love you and want all of this behind you! Take it easy this week girlfriend! Rae
Roni... you're a real trooper! Such a fighter!! Glad to hear that you're not experiencing any side affects yet.
Thinking about you!!
Victoria
Just checking in after reading in our group on FB. Hadn't heard anything lately and was surprised to hear the news. I had thought, no news was good news, so this is not always so.
Hang in there Roni,you are a fighter and you are in for another fight again.
I am sending you hugs and looking forward to seeing you in September when we come out west.
Daphne
Just popping in to say HI. You are never very far from my thoughts and prayers. Hang in there - you are a winner in every sense of the word if there ever was one!!!
Hugs, Mavis
Hi!
I found ur blog stumbling up.
I've been struggling with cancer for a coulpe of years I know exactly how u feel.
Stay strong!
HEROS HAPPEN
As we wind our way through this life we encounter situations that cause us to act above and beyond. Individually we do not know when or even if we will ever be called upon to act under such circumstance. We do know that those who set out to be heroes most often get themselves and others hurt or killed in their selfish pursuit of glory. All of us train to be the best we can be; athletes, soldiers, accountants, doctors, mechanics, people of all walks strive to excel in our chosen field but few encounter a life changing event that requires one to offer up more.
Wars are not won with just one battle. Having to make a tactical advance to the rear to re-equip, change strategies, to re-group and just to get a little rest and relaxation is not uncommon. This is where we are with Roni, we got our nose bloodied in the first engagement but we are coming back and we are coming back to win!
War has best been described as extended periods of boredom punctuated by moments of stark terror. In this war on Roni’s cancer I have witnessed and been a part of both. Chemo is boring…killer chemicals are dripped or pushed into Roni’s veins and for the most part nothing visible happens, in a couple of hours we head home and wait…the boredom. When we got the news that Roni had spots on her lungs, when it was confirmed that those spots are metastasized breast cancer and when we got the news that the treatment has not been as successful as we had hoped comes the short-lived moments of terror. The barely controllable sobbing and tremors - the fear, slowly gives way to a deep breathe - the re-group, almost miraculously the body raises itself erect, the shoulder pull back and one can feel and sense the personal resolve to soldier on. Unspoken but heard, “Cancer you can beat me down but you will not beat me!” Our hero walks softly but swings a big stick.
Now we come to your part in all of this. YES, YOU ARE A PART OF THIS!!! Roni would never allow us to each take a piece of her cancer and risk our live to assist her fight but she does need our help and support. If you are reading this blog please add a comment. It does not have to be elaborate or flowery or anything special, a simple ‘Roni, I’m thinking of you’ will suffice, be sure to add your name so she knows who is writing. Equally important is that the others who read and add to the blog will likewise know that they do not stand alone in their support of Roni. Beating cancer is a team sport…get on a team! If you cannot write on the blog…phone, email, snail mail…whatever, just let her know you are thinking of her.
Equally important is her Country Dancing Boobies relay team for the Relay for Life. Go to www.cancer.ca/relay click Community – Coquitlam, click Join a Team – Country Dancing Boobies and become a part of Roni’s team. A few bucks spent here may be the cure, perhaps not for Roni but maybe for your child or someone else you love. It does not require a big commitment, no one will get up in your face if your don’t come out and walk, the big part of it is letting Roni know she is loved and respected and does not stand alone in her war on this disease.
Roni proudly goes through life with her bald ‘Badge of Honour’ declaring to all those who see her that she is not a quitter, that she will continue the fight and in the end if cancer wins she knows that she has met this challenge with courage and grace and that she has set an example for those who will take up the battle in her absence. She needs our support!
Brian
Well said Brian, you have captured in words what is sometimes hard to express. Roni is very lucky to have such an eloquent and supportive husband by her side through all of this. The two of you are an example to us all. xo Rae
Hey mah,
Keep strong your a beacon of hope and courage for all of us...
And Brian your words are some of the most amazing strong words I have ever read and continue to read as you sit right beside my Mah in this battle.. Thank you...
Love
P
Roni you are SO brave and so positive...I think of you often, whenever I see the pink ribbon displayed on a car, or on a website etc. Your journey via this blog has given me such a new perspective on things. The battle you and Brian are fighting, just some of the medical details I wasn't aware of.
Your fighting spirit makes me keenly aware of how precious life is, and how much I have taken it lightly or for granted in the past. It's both humbling and inspiring to me.
Thank you both for that!
I wish you moments of joy and hopefully some comfort at this time. Roni, and Brian I wish you strength and peace.
Love Pavlina
ps - if I can do anything, bring a meal over? Come and help somehow, please do let me know.
Post a Comment