First Week of Chemo, First Infusion Complete
Posted by Casey on November 23rd, 2009
Saturday marked the end of my first week of chemotherapy. Based on my experience with it in the past I thought I’d have all sorts of horror stories to share, but it went fairly well. Starting Monday night and ending Friday night, I took Zofran at 5:00p and 10:00p, then took the actual chemo drug Temodar right as I was going to bed. The whole week I kept a bucket next to my bed, imagining the worst. But the good news is that I never really felt all that close to throwing up. I guess Zofran was the magic bullet. Or Temodar is easier than the Adriamycin/Cisplatin/Ifosfamide I became so used to when I was 17. Or some combination of the two. Regardless, the worst it got was an occassional bit of upset stomach that lasted a few minutes. Still, I was happy to hop off it after those 5 days.
Today was my first day of bi-weekly Avastin infusions. Like the Temodar, it was pretty easy. As you can see above, it was just like a standard infusion this time, delivered through my arm. (I’ll be looking at whether or not I should get a port-a-cath again to prevent messing up my veins and looking like an addict.) I started at the infusion center at 9:00a and didn’t get out until sometime after noon, but it will get quicker the next few times and eventually will just take about 30 minutes to check my counts and then 30 minutes for the infusion. Again, not bad.
So next steps will be waiting and watching blood counts. With the combination of last week’s chemo and today’s infusion, it’s expected that sometime next week my blood counts will drop. We’ll see what happens!
I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving. I look forward to a visit to see family in Omaha.
I also want to send a HUGE thank you to all of you for the kind words, well-wishes, prayers, soups, banana breads, pumpkin breads, egg bakes, tater-tot hot dishes, cupcakes, and ready-to-mix mashed potatoes. For those nights where I’m tired, I’ve not had to worry about what to eat for dinner (or dessert!). So thank you.
Love,
Casey
Tags: cancer, chemotherapy
I love you…keep on, keeping on..I don’t know how you do it but since you can do all this again, it reminds me that I can get through anything….No matter what it is. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again…YOU ARE MY HERO!!!!! Jen Fightlin
Mmmmmm. Hot dish. I hope there were some of those tasty fried onions on top! Love you, Casey!
em
Can’t wait to see you for Turkey Day!!
Sure hope your response to the treatment continues as the 1st week has. Hang in there Casey, we think of you often and are hoping for the best for you.
With Love!
Rose & Mike
Hi Casey — just popping in to let you know I continue to pray like crazy for you … You have the best angel ever on your side … I know she’s looking out for you! Happy Thanksgiving to you and all of your crazy family! I am thankful to know you and to have you as a member of my family. Love ya Casey!
Happy Thanksgiving Casey!
We’re thankful for you as our good Chicago Neighbor, but we’re especially thankful for the absolute inspiration you are to us and others through your ever-so positive approach to your own personal hardship. You are AMAZING!
Enjoy your Thanksgiving visit with family in Omaha, and eat well.
Our best good thoughts and prayers are with you, always.
Love, those two Midtown Turkeys…
Jeff & Melissa
Dear Casey –
Enjoy Thanksgiving with the Omaha crowd – wish we could be there with y’all! Eat, eat, eat!!!
Love you and thinking and praying for you always!
Glad everything went well!!! Sorry we missed you for Thanksgiving, would of loved to seen ya!! WE already had plans!!! Love ya & keep doing well!!!!!
Hi Casey,
It’s been a while since I’ve seen you but you know I’m sending you some of that special Quinn mojo!!
Lots of love and good wishes.
Mary Q
Hang in there.
Hey Case,
Sorry I responded so late this time around. Hope you had an excellent TG, that you are feeling well and that you are recovering nicely.
Best,
a.
Thanks for the update, it’s always good to be able to connect, even if it’s digital. Stay strong. Janna