I got my first doses of chemo today. I am the one getting it, but I am not doing this walk alone. I have a whole lot of support. I am so lucky to have a large group of people sending me good wishes, positive thoughts and that are praying for me. Also family and friends are giving me things to make me more comfortable. Not the least I have my three companions that walk next to me, supporting and encouraging me every step of the way, James, Benjamin and Chess. Of course I also have a large team of doctors that are doing the best they can for me and a plethora of wonderful caring nurses. So I am clearly not walking alone, I have a huge support system behind me, and next to me holding my hands, and patting my back.

The very first medications I got today were nausea reducing drugs, vitamins, and anti-inflammatories. As soon as they were in my system I started with:

Avastin

The immunotherapeutic Avastin was administered first. I received it from an IV bag while in a comfy chair and it took 10 min for me to get it. No particular side effects were expected during getting the dosage – and I did not notice anything really. There is a whole list of possible continued side effects, as with any drug. One side effect might be nose bleeding and headache. I have not noticed any of these yet.

Oxaliplatin

The next drug and the first component in the FOLFOX mixture was Oxaliplatin. This was pumped in for two hours while I was still in the chemo chair – under my purple blanket. I started chewing a very nice gum (flavored with grapefruit, prickly pear, cayenne, and sea salt!) to try to ward off lock-jaw. I had to pay attention to not only if I was getting lock-jaw, but also if I was getting nauseous, dizzy, cold sensitive and tingling in my hands or anywhere else. The side effect I am most worried about is the neuropathy – a hand and foot numbness that can stay with me for a while. We are not sure if the cold sensitiveness and the neuropathy are closely linked or not. Cold sensitivity can give me an instant pain if I touch, drink or eat anything cold. We don’t know if the neuropathy can be triggered if I expose myself to too much cold. I guess I will learn more about it. The side effects I got receiving the Oxaliplatin were a slight tingling in my left hand – and even room temperature drinks are too cold for my throat – and the saline flush through my picc line hurt my left arm – how convenient. All my drinks and food need to be heated to body temperature – can’t say I’m a big fan of tepid water – but I can work with that. I also noticed that I can’t  wash my hands in cold water – ouch – odd feeling when I didn’t wait long enough for the warm water. I am hoping that the cold sensitiveness will pass in a couple of days – and the neuropathy doesn’t develop. I get a short lock jaw sensation when I start eating, but that was nothing I can’t handle. About an hour into the Oxaliplatin I had chocolate for a treat- Melkerull from Norway (thank you Anine!). It was so yummy and the first real taste treat I had in the last 60 hours as I was on a short-calorie diet (200 cals per day). 

Fluoracil

For the second FOLFOX component, Fluoracil, the IV drip machine was disconnected and I got my very own special lemon looking pump to bring home with me. I now have it hanging in a nice black fanny pack (I am so glad fanny packs are back in fashion). This drug will slowly get pumped into me for about 46 hours. Possible side effects for this one, as the other drugs, are nausea, but also sore mouth, sore and dry palms and feet, and sensitivity to sun. Not any of those side effects seem to be appearing yet but time will show.

So far so good

So at the moment the drugs are treating me kindly – except for the cold sensitivity, but that one is not too bad – I just need to be mindful about what I touch, drink and eat. I am not nauseous – yay. On an evening walk today I had an odd sensitivity in and around my eyes. I have not heard of that as a possible side effect – could be the wind. I am a bit dizzy and light headed, but that could very well be the anti-nausea drugs. I am hoping that when the Fluoracil dose is all done that I still feel ok. Going into this I tried to not think worst case, but of course it has been in the back of my mind for a long time thinking of how I will handle the side effects. I proudly walked 1.5 miles up the hill this evening. A bit more tired than last time, but I’m sure tomorrow will be better.