It's Been a Whirlwind!
Three different techs, six sticks, and two locations later, I got an IV placed for my breast MRI Thursday afternoon. The first tech had a runner on my left arm and tried a couple times, but couldn't get in. The second tech checked my right arm, which they typically can't access, and agreed not to even try that side. He went to the left side and three more sticks. When they can't go in my left arm, they usually end up with a butterfly needle in my right hand, but he said it wasn't an option with the contrast they were using. They apparently can't use the port for breast MRI and cardiac MRI so that wasn't an option. A third tech came and looked all over to see if he thought he could get in and they decided to try my left forearm and finally got in. All three felt super bad, but I've had rolling veins forever so while it sucks, I'm used to it.
I got several texts about the crazy breast contraption and I'm here to confirm that it's exactly as it was described. Strangest thing to see and awkward to climb onto face down, but not as uncomfortable as you would think. The top of it had a cushion to lay on at least so I wasn't directly on the hard plastic and it didn't hurt my port as much as I expected. St. Francis is quick so we already have results and it didn't show anything additional! :-)
When I got home on Thursday, Christian said Bre had clothes in the dryer and it was making a horrible squealing noise so he turned it off. Another chore for poor Rhys LOL He ordered the belt and it should be in on Sunday and Corey offered to help so hopefully we'll be back in business by the end of the weekend.
Friday morning, Cade woke up vomiting around 3am. We got him some meds and put him back in bed. Low grade fever (100.1), sore throat, and body aches; hoping it's just the flu, but either way, he's quarantined to his bedroom and Rhys is bringing his food and meds to the door.
I made some scrambled eggs and toast for Rhys and I and off we went to the center. First up was blood work and we thought that would be the easy part. Since my port was just placed on Tuesday and the incision was still bleeding on Wednesday, I still had Steri-Strips and a dressing that Dr. Rager had replaced. When the nurse took the dressing off, one of the strips came off with it and another was directly across where she needed to access the port. Another nurse checked and they decided they would trim the strip, access the port, and then reapply a fresh strip. By the time we waited for the strips to be sent, it took about 45 minutes to access the port. I saw a HUGE needle and looked away with a quickness, but Rhys told Bre that thing was probably 4"! It hurt going in, but she said it would get better in time and they also called in some lidocaine cream to put on 30 - 45 minutes before that should help.
Next, we met with NP Krista to go over blood counts and she said mine are perfect. Apparently, I am a completely healthy young woman other than being overweight...and of course, this pesky Wilma! She gave us some info about when to call the office and what to expect and then we were off to the infusion clinic.
Oncology Nurse Alissa met us there and said that we could sit in the large open area or they had some private rooms available on a first come, first serve basis. Since we were there early, we took a private room since I was really nervous. She gave me some pre-meds which I tolerated well, then Adriamycin (the red devil), Cytoxen , and Keytruda. I'll take this cocktail every three weeks for the first three months and then a different one weekly for 12 weeks.
So far, my side effects are minimal: tired, little bit of a headache, constipated (maybe from port surgery), and not much appetite. The water drink mix we like tasted like a mouthful of sugar this morning so I switched to V8 and that tasted fantastic. My knees are a little stiff so Rhys is bringing the treadmill from the garage since it's too cold out there with this ridiculous weather we're having! All in all, so far so good.
Billy and Jennifer brought dinner last night to feed to troops and I am so appreciative! Rhys was running around all day between me and Cade and trying to get his work done so he was drained by the end of the day. Billy cooks a mean steak, and Jenn made green beans with bacon, mashed potatoes, rolls, and even brownies! It was quite the spread and fed us again today for lunch. Thank you so much!
This morning, we got a phone call at 6:45am that Peggy called the ambulance for Rhys' dad, Bill. They admitted him to the ER and he's covid positive and it's now developed into covid pneumonia. We're waiting to see what they say for next steps now. It's been a week with all the appointments and trying to work, but it's the weekend and I'm relaxing now. Rhys is still running, had to get groceries today, but he's back and I intend to make him sit down for the night. He won't have to worry about dinner tonight either since Cheri and Brooke coordinated some yummy chicken pot pie for this evening.
We are so super appreciative of everyone reaching out! This is a super hard thing for me since I'm usually the helper and I've been blessed not to have needed this kind of help before, but I'm told that I need to learn to ask for and accept help #MomSaid
TODAY'S SILVER LINING: I confirmed that the 12 week regimen will begin three weeks from my March 11th chemo, so on April 1st. New Orleans, here we come! We're set for March 18th for a week and though I'll be hanging more around the house than anything, there's a great spot poolside for me (back right corner!) and everyone will still get to have a great time :-D
