What a long day. I'm exhausted mentally and physically. We were at the Moll Center Chemotherapy Lab from 9am until 4:30pm today and then I worked at my part time job at Steinmart from 5pm until 9pm. I'm beat, but wired at the same time (must be from all the caffeine I have been drinking!)
Mom's chemotherapy didn't go exactly like we thought it would, hence the long day. We got there at 9am to start the labs portion, so they can check her blood levels. We then waited a good 20 minutes outside the lab before we went to the chemo room. Mom finally got settled into a recliner in the room about 10am. They started the pre-treatment about 10:30am. We talked to the center social worker as well. She gave Mom some info on wigs, (I don't think Mom was going to get a wig), seminars and other services that she can help set up and provide. Mom's pre-chemotherapy treatment included pepcid, a steroid and benadryl. These were to help against the immediate side effects of the first drug, Taxotere Mom's sodium was still a bit low, so she got a saline drip as well. The nurse, Patty, started the Taxotere and was going through some basics for the side effects and what should be done, all the time watching Mom for immediate side effects. About 3 minutes into the infusion, Mom started complaining of intense pain in her lower back and right leg. Patty immediately turned off the infusion, called for help with nurses and called for a doctor who was in the center (Mom's doctor was not in the office today). The doctor prescribed a small dose of morphine and more steroids. Mom got those right away and one nurse brought oxygen. Mom was in alot of pain. It was scary to watch. All of this happened very quickly and was taken care of very quickly. Within 5-10 minutes the pain subsided and mom relaxed (or as much as you could relax after that episode). Patty got in touch with Dr. Bagai and he said to made the infusion slower and to see how she reacted to that. So, 30 minutes later, Patty tried it again, but at a slower drip. Patty kept an eye on my mom for any reactions and thankfully, there was none. The Taxotere took 2 hours to drip. At 3pm, she was ready for the next drug, Cytoxan. Thankfully, there was not immediate side effects from this drug. This drug took an hour to drip. Once that was finished, her IV was flushed with saline solution and then she was released at 4:30pm.
I know that the first treatment is always the hardest. We weren't prepared for how hard it actually turned out to be. But, thankfully, Mom pulled through this all and was able to handle the two drugs. Watching her have the reaction was very hard to do and I think that my heart was still racing at least a few hours after it happened. I can't even imagine how she was feeling. Tomorrow, we are going back for her to get a neulasta shot. This will help stimulate white blood cells and help prevent infection. I'll be watching mom for any side effects as well.
She made it through this one....3 more to go. I figured out that she will be done with treatment May 7th. Let's hope the time flies.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment