I had seen the effects of chemo on my loved ones.  I saw my stepmother lose her hair & swell from steroids, among other many other things throughout her battle with breast cancer.  On the other hand, I watched my husband go through his treatment for lymphoma last year, who was able to complete treatment without many side effects other than feeling really run down.  He was also able to complete his process without losing any hair & never needed a port (so lucky, I’m totally jealous!!).

In my own physical preparations for chemo, there was a lot of blood work as always.  My blood count & iron remained low following surgery so I was monitored very closely, always one step away from a blood transfusion or an iron infusion.

I had a standard EKG, as well as an EKG with strain, which is basically an EKG with a simultaneous ultrasound of the heart.  Kind of cool to watch my heart beat on the monitor in real time for a while.  Apparently, one of the chemo types included in my treatment plan is known to frequently cause heart problems later.  With these EKG they are able to determine your initial risk of the chemo causing damage to the heart.  Thankfully my tests didn’t indicate any increased risk, though they will continue to monitor my heart over the years as a precaution going forward.

After having lymph nodes removed from my left side, my left arm is on restriction meaning no IVs, blood draws, injections or blood pressure taken.  Since the left arm is basically off limits, leaving just my right arm for all necessary action following surgery, my poor right arm had been used & abused leaving only uncooperative veins.  They needed to move my IV at one point during my stay after surgery & had to actually do an ultrasound to find a decent vein & were concerned they’d have to alternately place the IV in my leg.   Based on that & the number of chemo infusions I would be receiving, I had a port installed for easier access.

The port placement is a minor surgery, essentially in & out.  The most challenging part for the hospital staff was most likely finding a vein in that right arm to place the last IV for the surgery.  Knowing it was my last IV is literally what got me through that…  It took four very painful attempts to find a good vein.  I swear I am tough when it comes to pain, but even I yelled aloud from one of the pokes it hurt so bad!  They were trying to tap into the veins on the top of my hand & I must’ve hit the bone.   I kept telling myself that it was the LAST time, after this I would have the port & there would be no more poking my poor tired right arm!

The actual installation was interesting because of the anesthesia, Twilight.  You remain somewhat conscious & are able to hear what’s going on, but when it’s all said & done you really don’t recall what had happened.  I remember that the team taking care of me was humorous, we listened to 80’s music, which I enjoyed, always uplifting & upbeat, takes me back to a far more carefree time in my life.

The procedure went quickly or at least it seemed to with the anesthesia.   I was brought back to my recovery room & headed home shortly after.  The port site wasn’t too painful & healed quickly.  Honestly now, I think the port is just the best thing ever!  It’s so convenient they can draw blood & infuse any medications through the existing site without any new painful pokes & failed attempts.  For that I am very grateful!

A few days before starting chemo, I met with a nurse at the hospital for “chemo education”, which was extremely helpful.  I was provided a lot of reading material regarding the specific medications I would be given & available support.  I learned their potential side effects & most importantly I learned ways to attempt to prevent the side effects as well as how to address them if I did experience any.  I was also given prescriptions for two different anti-nausea medications to alternate as needed as well.

Additionally, I had to sign a document agreeing to chemo, which clearly stated that it may result in my death.  While unlikely & the highest risk of death, they explained, would be from an unrelated infection during chemo when the immune system is weakened & not able to fight back as it normally could.  This was a little disheartening I will admit, but on the other end of the spectrum, I may very well have had tiny cancer cells hanging out somewhere in my body that would come back to return later & could potentially cause my death.  At least I knew chemo would kill those evil cancer cells & improve my long term prognosis, so I signed!

Because of the weakened immune system, I was advised to be very cautious not to cut myself, not to trim my cuticles, if I needed to shave to use an electric razor to minimize risk, etc.  Of course to avoid potential air born infections they recommended to avoid exposure to new places, wear a mask if I was near anyone sick, if my kids become sick to have them eat with plastic wear that could be thrown away, etc.  Kind of all made me feel a bit like a glass house, but I was prepared to take the necessary precautions, especially after reading & signing that document, eek!

I felt prepared physically for chemo, now I needed to prepare mentally.  I wanted to avoid focus on the potential side effects & instead reminded myself that chemo affects everyone differently.  Some experience all of the side effects, while others have little or no side effects.  I have age on my side, so was hoping to be one of those who fly through treatment like a breeze.  I was sure to lose my hair, but aside from that I was hoping for the best.

I rounded up my support troops & stocked my fridge with bottled water, juices & lots of healthy energizing snacks that were easy to prepare or grab on the go.  I ordered a couple of wigs & beanies in preparation for losing my hair.  I felt as prepared as I could & was ready to begin the next stage of my treatment plan.  I knew the sooner we began, the sooner it would be over with.  Eventually my family & I will move on & return to life as we used to live it.  Although, now we will live healthier, better & stronger because we now know exactly how much we have to lose!

Port (fully healed)