That’s it!. You’ve officially been given notice – you’re being evicted. You are outta here Betty!
Today is Chemo Day, Round One of AC Dose Dense, which is a whole new combination of chemo drugs – Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide. Doxorubicin is the A in AC. Adriamycin was the brand name of it (now discontinued) but it’s known drug name is Doxorubicin. It is commonly known as The Red Devil due to its vibrant red colour and its nasty side effects. AC chemo is very strong so I’m hoping it’s going to do better than the Paclitaxel and will totally destroy Betty.
I’m very apprehensive as I just don’t know how bad the side effects will be, but I have 100% faith in the staff at the infusion centre so I am not worried about receiving the treatment itself. My nurse, La explains the what will happen before we begin. It turns out that the Infusion process is much the same as with Paclitaxel. The only real difference is that the Doxorubicin comes in 2 syringes that La slowly injects into my IV line. It takes about 20 minutes and is very toxic so she wears a protective purple gown, gloves and a mask. The Cyclophosphamide follows as an IV drip and takes about an hour.
I don’t feel any different during the treatment but have clearly lost my superpowers as I lose badly at chess. We have come armed with the shitloads of meds that I picked up yesterday. La, my nurse, explains them all to me and draws up a new medication schedule to follow. The main anticipated side effects are nausea and vomiting but most of the meds I’ve been given are to target that so I will use them as prescribed. The only other change is that I have to give myself an injection tomorrow to stimulate blood cell growth. That should be fun. We take a couple of silly chemo photos to send to family to lighten the moment.
After chemo we head home. I feel dopey as usual and have a snooze in the recliner in the sunroom. I don’t feel any different to any other chemo day and may it stay this way.
Tonight is the opening of the Women’s World Cup Soccer and NZ are playing Norway. Go the Football Ferns!!!! We’ve bought tickets to 2 matches – a final 16 play off and a semi-final. I really hope I am well enough to go! I feel the same as I did with the Shakespeare though – I’d rather buy tickets and risk not being able go than not buy tickets and regret that I could have gone. At least this way it’s my choice on the day. Fingers crossed! For now though I’m happy watching the game on TV from under a blanket on the sofa.
I take meds as prescribed and suffer only from a mild but persistent headache. I eat a burger for dinner and enjoy it with no bad after effects. So far so good.
The soccer is great and NZ win 1-0! A phenomenal first result for the Ferns. The game excites me and I feel happy.
It’s one moment at a time.
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