longest chemo ever...

We had been warned that this treatment, because it was the first of a new round, would take a little longer than normal. What an understatement.

We arrived a little early for our 1pm appointment and went in for the obligatory blood draw. No doctor's appointment this time (since we go every week now we don't see the doc every time), so we headed right for the treatment waiting room. We finally were called in around 1:30 and were promptly informed that they were very busy, with a bunch of "critical patients". For us that meant no private bed... we would be spending time in the big room for the first time. This was different. Instead of a relatively private space we were in a large room with recliners packed together in two rows facing each other, almost filled to capacity. Michele, being an avid people watcher and eavesdropper, was okay with it for a while.

We settled in and started the treatment. The first time for any treatment comes with a ton of explanation. They go through each step so that you know what you are getting and why... it is quite helpful. First came Dexamethasone pushed in to the IV. Dex is a steroid and helps with side effects including nausea. We were told that we had to wait at least an hour after the Dex before we could start the first actual chemo drug. So we waited...

Next they pushed in some Benadryl. One of the possible side effects this round is an allergic reaction including rash and itching. The nurse was pushing it in very slowly and Michele asked why. She told us that if she pushed it in fast Michele would get very lightheaded. Okay. Two minutes later, Michele was looped! She told me that she was pretty sure that if she did drugs, this is what it would feel like. She could barely keep her eyes open, but felt too weird to go to sleep. Luckily it wore off after about half an hour. Then came some Zantac and we were just waiting to be able to start the chemo drugs.

We lucked out and a semi-private bed came open. The nurse told us to grab our stuff and we moved. On the way there I overheard an old lady complaining that Michele got a bed and she didn't. Sucker. We got settled in and started the Taxol. Some people have an allergic reaction to Taxol the very first time they get it. Hives, rash, fever, itching... all the fun stuff. So, for the first half hour of your first Taxol, the nurse sits there and stares at you to see if you react. Fortunately our nurse was pretty cool and just did paperwork and answered some of our questions. No ill effects on Michele and we were rockin'. Normally the Taxol drips in over about an hour. But, since it was the first time, they set it for 90 minutes. Drip, drip, drip. Michele got some Tyleonol (fighting more possible side effects) and it was time for our nurse (and almost all of them) to go home.

Finally we got to the last step, Herceptin. Herceptin is supposed to be a wonder drug for women with Michele's kind and stage of breast cancer. The first dose is twice as much as Michele will get for the next eleven weeks (we can't catch a break on time here). Once again we wait... drip, drip, drip.

Patients were leaving. Nurses were leaving. Custodial staff was beginning their work. We heard the head nurse call to approve overtime for a couple nurses to stay with a patient. Yep, that's us. Eventually it was us and two nurses in the whole joint. It was like a ghost town. We were waiting for tumble weeds to tumble by the bed. Finally, about 6:30, we were done and headed home. In the upcoming weeks, we have been assured, we should be done a couple hours earlier. Thankfully.

Michele felt pretty good last night, especially as compared to how she felt with the last round. This drug combo is supposed to be easier, so we're feeling optimistic. She had a bit of a rough night sleeping, but just woke up and is feeling good and playing with Alex.