Apr 9, 2020 10:26AM JavaJana wrote:
Hello everyone! I had a VERY long day yesterday, and I think that is more the reason for feeling so wiped out this morning, not just due to the chemo. We live almost 3 hours away from MD Anderson in Houston, and we were gone for 20!!! hours yesterday. And since they have locked down the buildings to visitors, hubby could not hang out in waiting areas, so pretty boring for him lol.
It was scheduled to be a whole day affair anyway, with labs, chest xray, echo, doc visit plus chemo session #1 (approx. 5 hrs- future sessions should be less since I tolerated the slowed down infusions of Perjeta and Herceptin).
The infusion area was running late, so I was pulled in two hours late, and then there was an issue with my port causing yet another 2 hour delay. They wouldn't access my port without someone "upstairs" signing off since it wasn't placed there. Even though that's what the xray was for lol. Annoying. Navigating healthcare is hard enough with rules and policies and communication breakdowns that are all too common.
Anyway, we got started, all infusions went smoothly. Nurses and techs were very attentive - it turns out they provide a light meal which meant I didn't have to eat the protein bar I brought lol. They have private rooms too, which I like.
I received the Neulasta Onpro device on my stomach, so I don't need to go back today for a shot yay! It was a bit more painful than a needle stick, etc. but just for a second. Totally worth it though.
I will say I've had my port accessed twice without numbing cream, and it is no worse than a finger stick for me. So for those of you new to ports, don't worry too much if you don't have it, although you can easily get some from your doc. It is mostly just weird having it in lots of ways once the bruisy healing is over with. It is definitely an alien being inside your body!
I hope y'all have a wonderful day!