Had a bump in the chemo road today.
Part of the drug mix I get before the chemo drugs is 25ml of benedryl. This along with a steroid prevent allergic reactions to the chemo.
Last week the nurse thought the benedryl was making me way too sleepy and she thought I wasn't fully recovered to be driving 50 miles to Madison which I have to do right after for the radiation.
It was suggested cutting the dose in half since I've shown no reactions in the first 2 treatments.
Well they did that today after a few minutes of the first chemo drug I started to get a gut-ache and the pain was quickly increasing. So I hit the bell to let the staff know I was having a problem and a of couple nurses were right in there. I told them what was going on and by the time I got that out I was also getting heart palpatations and I couldn't draw anything but short breaths. Then I could feel my face getting hot and she told me I was turning red. Surprisingly I didn't feel panicked or even really scared. Before I started these treatments the doc said they were prepared for things like that and knew how to fix them. And they did. The chemo was halted right away and they injected another 25ml of benedryl into the IV. Right away my color returned and things settled down. The doc came in and I said "So much for that idea." They seem to appreciate I can keep a bit of humor through this. But I tell you that was a strange sensation like someone altering your heartbeat and constricting your lungs at the same time. Although I didn't feel panicked I couldn't help but wonder for a bit if I was going to black out when my lungs went funky. I asked the nurse about it and she said as far as those kind of reactions go it was a mild one. Usually they also need to pump in more steroids to bring someone out of it. So I ended up with 1 and a 1/2 times the benedryl I usually get.....and I still had to go to Madison right after. I did just fine. Had a 5-hour energy drink to be safe. Eyelids didn't get heavy at all.
Some good news today. I can eat a small variety of soft foods! Just had a can of beans. Doc wants me to get as much protein as I can since it really helps repair the collateral damage being done to cells from the treatments. A can of baked beans has 40% of what I need for protein a day. But the stomach isn't used to me eating that much at once though. Real full feeling.
On the down side my sense of fatigue is increasing and there is a burning irritation in my esophogas where I get the radiation. But I was expecting that. It does make swallowing and therefore eating more difficult. But at least it's not blockage and there are remedies to help deal with it. Speaking of collateral damage I'm also getting a portion of my airway nuked. Picked up a bit of cough because of it but it should disappear after the treatments are finished and thing are given a chance to heal.
At least I'm cutting those nutrition shakes down to 3 or 4 a day. Wish I could do away with them all together but they're essential to the fight. Wish they could make some different flavors. Even the chocolate ones are getting disgusting. All I bought was vanilla today.....And lots of beans.
Other good news today is that my blood counts are good and my mild anemia has even improved a tad. That along with a good report for the kidneys says I am weathering this well. Although I've had a few tough moments I can agree with the assessment. Just as long as I can keep my hands of anything spicy...lol
Im glad to hear that it was a minor reaction Cyg. Also I like that you are keeping a good mindset about everything. I have been around a few people with cancer and the ones who wanted to fight did better than the ones who got as down as they could about it. Even with the same treatments I think your attitude to getting better makes a big difference
The reaction you had was almost the same thing I get when I take benedryl or anything with penicillin :eek
Good thing it works fast and they were prepared. Keep that attitude and it will go a lot better like Abb said.
___-SM-___
Allergic reactions do suck, one time a sandwich place gave me whole grain bread instead of whole wheat, I'm allergic to sunflower seeds, by the time i made it to the hospital, the nurse looked at me and said "leave your wallet and come with me" before I could sit down I had a shot of benedryl and adrenalin in my arm. 5 min later they brought me a nice milk shake made of charcoal and water.
Then had me call home and tell my wife I wouldn't be home for a few hours.
Keep killing that cancer and I'll keep posting bad jokes for you.
grubb
well it seamed even the bad news there was good news so hope all keeps going the same way....
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Thanks for the update CYG!
All in all it sounds like a very positive treatment for you. Reactions aside you seem like you are in a good place. Talking about it is very important and we all very much appreciate the updates. DOU is in the ring with you bud!
Keep up the good fight and I have no doubts that you are going to beat this!
:peace_v:
Keep the info posted here Cyg. I'm really interested in how you are doing and also is the clan, no doubt.
Those nutrition shakes aren't that bad if you can combine them with fresh fruit.
I myself am using protein shakes. I mixed them with banana and strawberry's most of the time.
Can't say they really taste bad, but I can imagine you're getting bored with them if you can eat something solid in between.
You seem to be a strong and optimistic person. The fight is allready half way won if you got the right attitude.
I 'm glad to hear that you don't give up and I admire you for this.
Well done Cyg, 🙂
Grasshopper.
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