Tomorrow morning I start chemotherapy. From past experience I know it will be a long day. I will get a cocktail of drugs including Carboplatin and Paclitaxel, also steroids and antihistamines to help my body adjust to them. It makes for a long day. However, as I have learned from the past, I know what to take with me and what to have on hand at home for afterwards.
Comfy clothes are a must. I wear a scoop neck tee shirt so that my nurse can access the port in my chest to give me the drugs. I like to wear fun tee shirts with goofy sayings or motivation. I find them cheap and treat myself before treatment. Tomorrow I will recycle my Halloween one from 2 years ago. Loose, yoga pants and a fleece complete my chemo ensemble.
The Infusion Center has recliners for the patients. It has a coffee maker, an ice machine with water( which I overflowed once) and a few snacks. Blankets are offered, but they are those thin sheet like ones. I have been gifted with many fleece blankets, they are small, warm and were created with love. I swap out blankets during treatments.
I have tried to take a book to read, but there is just too much noise. Machines that control the rate of drug speed are always going off. That beeping noise can interrupt your train of thought. So, I take simple, trash reading....National Enquirer! Short articles that entertain me and I do share it with others. I also make sure my phone is fully charged so I can Facebook or text.
I take some snacks with me. Nothing hot or with a scent is allowed in Infusion. Everyone is affected differently and smells is one of them. My brother Mike will bring me a Subway Club and a Coke for lunch. NO cheeseburgers or fries...nothing that might upset the stomachs of those around me. I take crackers, hard candies, a banana, a granola bar or if I baked, banana bread.
In my refrigerator at home I have Kombucha gingerade. A friend who has been thru chemo told me about it. It helps with the nausea. I don't drink it all, just a few sips every few hours is enough to keep the nausea away. I have mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, chocolate pudding, red jello, 7up and plain chicken for my first few meals in case I am sick. Last time, I was lucky, I only got sick once during my 22 treatments. I am hoping I am lucky again.
But the most important thing I take with me....God. God is with me thru everything. He never gives us more than we can handle. He puts people in my life to help me. I also know that I carry with me all the thoughts and prayers and good wishes of many, many friends.
I will get thru this. I will beat it. Again.
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