Chemo Day 1

Quick Pic from Day 1 chemo.

Here are the sorted details:

Once my port was accessed the cocktails began. 

I will be getting what is known as the MVAC chemotherapy. 

If interested you can read in more detail below here

http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/acronyms/mvac.aspx

• First they hydrate the crap out of me with fluids. Duration 30 Minutes.
• We start off with Anti-Nausea Aloxi and Steroid Dexamethasone. Duration 10 Minutes.
• Next comes another Anti-Nausea Emend. Duration 30 Minutes.
• First chemo is Methotrexate. Duration 30 Minutes.
• Next chemo is Vinblastine...cool name I have to admit. Duration 5 Minutes.
• After first chemo I get a piggy back of Magnesium Sulfate and Potassium Chloride to renew electrolytes. I also get another hydration of saline. Duration 1 hour...now I have to pee!
• Next chemo drug, Adriamycin. This one was kind of weird and when I think about it I get nauseated still. Yes I did pee red after.  Duration 15 Minutes.

Carolyn administering the Adriamycin

 

•  Now comes the biggy Cisplatin. This is the one that sucks the most. Duration 1 Hour.
• Once through the chemos, I get another piggy back of Magnesium Sulfate and Potassium Chloride to renew electrolytes. I also get a dose of Mannitol that acts as a diuretic plus one more round of fluids. Duration 1 hour.
• By the time you check in it was a 6 hour day.
• Lisa and I could not get out quick enough.
• Next session in two weeks.

Now couple cool things....the nurses rock!!! Big props to Carolyn Wilburn, very detailed and informative! The chemo bay is bright and there are windows, wifi access so I can work and I can bring whatever I want so diet is not an issue. I had my rock, my advocate, my bull dog by my side the the whole time making sure everyone did their job...thanks Lisa!