"When You Start Chemo"
In support of
The Moody Family
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The Moody Family
She said this as she led Stephen and me down the hall to see the chemotherapy infusion center.
You would have thought that after all this time and after discussing the specifics of chemo for the previous two hours with my oncologist, I would have been prepared.
But, when my nurse navigator said, "When you start chemo,..." her words pricked my heart.
While we don't have the dates confirmed on the calendar yet, the plan is for me to begin a regimen of FOLFOX chemo the week before Christmas. I'll receive an infusion every other week for six months, if all goes as planned. (If my body reacts to the medicine or if my blood counts aren't in the safe zone, we'll need to adjust.)
The plan is for me to have a port placed in my chest that allows the chemo to enter a vein close to my heart so the drugs will be dispersed throughout my body quickly. The port also prevents me from needing a new IV to be placed each two week cycle.
I'll hang out in the infusion center for several hours as the chemo begins. The center has recliners, heated towels, snacks, fridges, microwaves, etc. for patients to feel as comfortable as possible. The nurses' station is in the center of the room with an in-house pharmacy just through an adjacent door so meds can be mixed in real time. We truly live in amazing times that hospitals are set up so well to offer care in this way!
After a few hours, I'll receive a pump to carry with me for the next two days (like a fanny pack size). It will continue to release the chemo into my port throughout that time. Then, I'll need to return to oncology to have the pump disconnected.
The first 72 hours will be the hardest for experiencing side effects like nausea and diarrhea. However, the next week I'll gradually feel better, but I will be more susceptible to germs during the second week of each round of treatment. Thankfully, I probably won't lose all my hair--just about a third of it, and it will become baby fine in texture.
Stephen plans to accompany me for each of my infusions, and I'm so grateful for his steady, quiet strength each step of the way.
"When I start chemo..." I'll be loved.
You would have thought that after all this time and after discussing the specifics of chemo for the previous two hours with my oncologist, I would have been prepared.
But, when my nurse navigator said, "When you start chemo,..." her words pricked my heart.
While we don't have the dates confirmed on the calendar yet, the plan is for me to begin a regimen of FOLFOX chemo the week before Christmas. I'll receive an infusion every other week for six months, if all goes as planned. (If my body reacts to the medicine or if my blood counts aren't in the safe zone, we'll need to adjust.)
The plan is for me to have a port placed in my chest that allows the chemo to enter a vein close to my heart so the drugs will be dispersed throughout my body quickly. The port also prevents me from needing a new IV to be placed each two week cycle.
I'll hang out in the infusion center for several hours as the chemo begins. The center has recliners, heated towels, snacks, fridges, microwaves, etc. for patients to feel as comfortable as possible. The nurses' station is in the center of the room with an in-house pharmacy just through an adjacent door so meds can be mixed in real time. We truly live in amazing times that hospitals are set up so well to offer care in this way!
After a few hours, I'll receive a pump to carry with me for the next two days (like a fanny pack size). It will continue to release the chemo into my port throughout that time. Then, I'll need to return to oncology to have the pump disconnected.
The first 72 hours will be the hardest for experiencing side effects like nausea and diarrhea. However, the next week I'll gradually feel better, but I will be more susceptible to germs during the second week of each round of treatment. Thankfully, I probably won't lose all my hair--just about a third of it, and it will become baby fine in texture.
Stephen plans to accompany me for each of my infusions, and I'm so grateful for his steady, quiet strength each step of the way.
"When I start chemo..." I'll be loved.
Liz Moody
12 months ago
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