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Chemo and a Fork

6/20/2015

13 Comments

 
     Way back in February, we had Radiation 101.  This is Chemo 101 - the details of what it's like in the early going.  As for the fork mentioned in the title, I also promised you the details of what it's like to have an ostomy, which will be offered in "fork-in-the-road" format, so you don't have to accidentally read the details.  Nope! The details require a deliberate click if you want the various ins and outs with no holds barred.
     But first the chemo; I was pleased at my first bi-weekly check-up with the doctor to find that while some effects are cumulative, some are not.  Nausea is one of those that doesn't seem to be cumulative.  In other words, what I felt the first time or two is generally what I'll feel from here on out.  I get a loading dose of anti-nausea meds with my IV and then I have pills I can take as needed afterwards.  I've found that I just want to preemptively take those pills starting a day after the infusion.  My infusions are on Monday with the pump worn through Wednesday.  I take the nausea pills starting Tuesday and continue them through Thursday and that seems to have it whooped.  I did NOT do this the first time, rather I waited until I felt nauseous.  Let me be clear on this should you ever be in this unfortunate position:

Do not wait to exchange polite "hellos" with nausea and try to gauge its intent to cause you harm.  Instead, shoot nausea in the back from behind a tree in  guerrilla fashion using all your available weaponry way before nausea even knows you're in the vicinity.

     Nausea is a tricky little devil.  I had a nurse at MD Anderson tell me very clearly that the feeling of "just not being hungry" is early nausea and that's the time to take action.  Not when the smell of your family heating up leftovers for dinner makes you want to run and call Ralph on the big white telephone.  That's too late, she said.  Well, she didn't say the part about Ralph, but the rest is true.  Take the pills, she said; do not try to tough it out, she said.  Here's a fun little quiz for those that know me.
When faced with no appetite, will Barb:
  1. recognize the early signs of nausea and take her meds as advised by the medical profession, or
  2. think she's pretty tough stuff and decide she doesn't need any extra meds in her system at this juncture?
Ding! Ding! Ding!  If you answered "1," you're obviously smarter than me.  I of course, answered "2" and got what I deserved.  To my credit, I learned my lesson and am now eating my pills like an appetizer before dinner.  And just like an appetizer, I find that I'm not exactly hungry for my subsequent dinner, but I eat the entree anyways because I ordered it, it tastes good, and I'm a Downey.  We eat.  Then I'm overly full until the next mealtime and we do it all over again.  "Yes, I think I'll start with the compazine, then for my entree, I'll have the reheated meatloaf and green beans."
     Did you catch the part above about compazine?  Yes, that's the name of the anti-nausea meds I can take as needed.  Being the "give me all the information you've got" type, I read up on it.  Here's a little snippet about what it's used for:
Nausea, Schizophrenia, Psychosis, Status Migrainosis, Dementia, Anxiety Disorder
Wowzer!  Sure the first one is applicable, but the rest of those on the list are some pretty major happenings.  Do you see why taking this little pill gave me pause???  So, if you see me on a Tuesday-Thursday of chemo week (That sounds like Shark Week.  All week long on the Barb Channel, it's Chemo Week!) and I seem a little, um, different, don't worry.  It's just that my schizophrenia and psychotic tendencies are temporarily under control.
     Well, now that we've covered nausea ad nauseum, we'll move on to the other chemo associated happenings.  While nausea is not cumulative, the rest of the effects are.  The big, bad wolf of these is neuropathy.  Recall your Latin & Greek Derivatives class and you'll realize this means nerve injury/death.  The cold sensitivity described in the great-chilled-meat-in-Wal-Mart-debacle (see previous post) was the early symptom.  That continued through the 2 week period between chemos, although it alleviated to occasional cold sensitivity if the contact with cold was prolonged.  In round 2, the cold sensitivity is back with a vengeance along with a new and interesting twist; if my hands get cold, they may refuse to follow instructions.  Me: "Open, hand, so I can set down this glass of ice water.  Hand?  Hand!"  Hand: "Sorry, did you say something?  I wasn't paying attention."  I tell, you, that is WIERD.  Oops, squiggly red line.  Try again.  ....that is WEIRD.  Red squiggle gone!  I always misspell "weird."  I have heard others say that this symptom manifested itself as just dropping whatever was being held because the hand went on strike.  My version seems a bit better.  But I can picture a cold meeting room and me shaking someone's hand and then not being able to let go of it.  Of course, they have to pry my hand loose, the cops get involved and it all goes downhill from there.  They jab a syringe full of comapzine in my thigh and I don't throw up on anyone and my dementia goes away, which makes my stint in jail a bit more bearable, if unfortunately more memorable.
     The good news is no numbness in the hands or feet yet.  That can be a deal breaker for the particular drug that causes that symptom (oxaliplatin) and I would rather not lose one of my weapons.  With my pathology report, I want all my guns a-blazing.  The final symptom thus far is some tiredness.  Well, sleeplessness followed by tiredness.  Before they start the chemo drugs IV, they preload me with the anti-nausea and steroids.  The first time, I'd had the surgical procedure and had pain pills, so sleeping was NOT a problem.  The 2nd round, I literally stayed up all Monday night.  I'm going to harness this next time.  Steroids make you feel like there's no limit to what you can accomplish.  Maybe I should finally tackle my disorganized and overstuffed closet.  Or maybe binge watch "Breaking Bad" on Netflix.  Yeah, I like that 2nd option.
     Now we've arrived at the promised fork in the road.  I'm going to tell those who're interested about ostomies.  The rest of you, I'll see you next time!
Picture
Take a trip down Ostomy Lane by clicking the fork.
13 Comments
Joe LaBarbera
6/20/2015 05:48:17 am

Authors Note: This comment is being written as a review at Amazon.com for the "Book of Barb"
Good read, Highly recommend this mini book to anyone even remotely curious about chemo. nausea...as an introduction to life with cancer while still living with humor it is a must read.Love the fork in the road...yes I took it and laughed during that portion too. Does that make me unsympathetic or just an ass?

Reply
DebbieLB
6/20/2015 06:11:49 am

Well, darlin, I took the fork too. Your frankness and appropriate vocabulary makes it not too uncomfortable to read. I hate that you have to deal with this crap (literally and figuratively) but you definitely are dealing well.

Reply
Jamie Schultz
6/20/2015 07:03:16 am

As always, both informative and a great read. As I sat alone at the fast food place reading the folks at the next table cast a sidelong glace at my first chuckle at the coffee reference. The outright guffaw at "unholy shit" had them considering a table relocation. I realize most wouldn't take the fork in the road while actively using one but I guess once we sew things back inside animals that aren't supposed to be outside, the rest is just a matter of species.

You are in my thoughts and prayers as always.

Reply
Kris Hanson
6/20/2015 08:01:05 am

I am always up for an adventure and the fork in the road intrigued me. I do really hope there is a "Book of Barb". I think it would benefit many.
I remember many of those "go-to old favorite strings of invectives". If that's the worst ya got, pretty sure God understands! God Bless we'll keep you in our prayers!

Reply
Angie Skochdopole
6/20/2015 12:54:20 pm

Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Barb. I admire your attitude and honest writing.

Reply
Stephanie Laudemann
6/21/2015 08:58:15 am

It is so good that you are able and willing to talk about these not so fun things I am from White City and have been following you through Debbie. My Dad also has an illeostomy. He has had his since 1992, I believe. A couple of years ago he had it fix because it had a hernia in that area. He has some of the same issues you have......sore skin around that area, trying to keep the patch on, and trying to change it without having output. It can be very trying and frustrating. My Dad is not much of a talker, but mother is. They have lots of tricks and some different creams and powders they use. If you would ever like to chat about that or have found some new things that work well for you, my parents would love to have that information. They follow you through me and often ask how you are doing. You are in my thoughts and prayers!

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Kathy Hogue link
6/21/2015 03:10:36 pm

You are one amazing lady!
your plight continues to remind us all that we have NOTHING to WHINE about!

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Joe LaBarbera
6/22/2015 07:30:32 am

Barb, I just ran across a theme song that you may want to use for your next chemo session. Play it loudly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUpDG680uew

Reply
Shannan Seely
6/23/2015 02:19:26 pm

Barb, thanks for the enlightening and entertaining education. Can't wait to hear about your future adventures. We know what you've been dealt is not easy. I know that neuropathy is a challenge!!! Go, Barb, go!

Reply
Magdalana
7/3/2015 05:53:03 pm

Dear Barb,
Wow. I am so impressed with your incredibly positive outlook. I'm certain that your positive attitude is helping with your recovery. Thank you for sharing your journey! It has made the term cancer a little less scary. Please understand that I am in no way minimizing what you are going through. Rather I've appreciated learning and am amazed by your extremely positive attitude. As a result of your blog I have developed a greater attitude of gratitude. I'm afraid most of us take our good health for granite until we are the one facing medical concerns.

Reply
Richard Porter
7/20/2015 02:23:50 pm

Thanks for being so open about your experience. It somehow lets me feel like I am sharing in your recovery process. You make it fun for us to read about procedures that are clearly not fun for you. All of your friends keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

Reply
georgianna
7/28/2015 03:14:20 pm

Dang you're a good writer! If you ever tire of the ranching business you might do well as an author. Personally I'd love to see what you'd do with children's literature. Are you familiar with Mo Willems, the author of many fine children's books including Don't let the Pigeon Drive the Bus? Well I bet you'd give him a run for the money. Love, your kindergarten teaching cousin

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Bob Main
10/30/2015 11:19:41 am

You have not posted in a long time I just wondered how you are doing. Really well I hope! I went through colon cancer and chemo last year. Hang in there!

Bob

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    Barb Downey

    On Dec. 5, 2014, I was diagnosed with rectal cancer. And that's where we start. If you're here for the first time, you'll have to read from the bottom (no pun intended!) up. Go to Dec 2014 and scroll to the bottom of the page...

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Downey Ranch, Inc.
Joe Carpenter & Barb Downey
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