Cycle 1, Day 1 – Thursday, June 4, 2015
A ‘Cycle’ in my treatment is 28 days. There will be 4 or 6 cycles, depending on results.
Arrived at Dr L’s office this morning at 8am for an office visit and chemo. Left at 3:40pm.
So, what happened?
* 8:00am They took some blood for testing and I met with the doctor.
* 8:50am They gave me some Tylenol and Benadryl (I slept a lot today)
* 8:50am Started an IV of anti nausea & steroids (Zofran, 8mg & Dexamethasone, 12mg)
* 9:40am Started an IV of second anti nausea medicine (Emend 150mg)
* 10:15am Started an IV of Bendamustine (200mg)
* 11:25am Started an IV of Rituxan (900mg)
* 3:25pm Retuxin IV finished
* 3:40pm Left for home
So, what did I feel/do?
* I slept a lot today
* Seriously, I had no adverse reactions to the medicines they gave me. Yesterday, I loaded a few movies on my iPad to watch today and some music on my iPhone to listen to. But, as I said earlier – I slept a lot today.
* Tomorrow, I will not get the Benadryl or the Retuxin, but will get the Bendamustine and probably the anti nausea medicine – don’t know about the others. Should be home by noon.
Dr L says that during the first cycle, I will come in on a weekly basis for blood tests. After that it may be every 2 weeks. Blood is tested to determine if what the chemo is doing to the body, and the immune system. Blood and platelets were a ‘normal’ part of my treatment 8 1/2 years ago; hopefully will not be part of this round of treatment.
Dr L also gave me a prescription for anti nausea medicine. Last time I didn’t need any, but if I wake up at 3am needing it, I’ll be glad I have it available in the house.
All things considered, I thank God for another day; may the medicines provided do their part in putting my cancer back into remission.
Cycle 1, Day 2 – Friday, June 5, 2015
Slept great last night. I figured that with all the sleeping I did yesterday that I would get much sleep last night. Wrong!
Arrived at the Levine Cancer Institute Ballantyne center for 8:30 appointment.
What they gave me today:
* 9:15 Zofran, 8mg & Dexamethasone, 12mg – anti nausea & steroid
* 9:30 saline solution (I’m guessing they were preparing the chemo)
* 10:10 Bendamustine, 200mg
* 11:10 saline flush
* 11:20 done
No adverse reactions, yesterday or today. So now it’s just a waiting game until next Thursday when I go in to see what’s happened to my blood chemistry.
Cycle 1, Day 3 – Saturday, June 6, 2015
Not much to report, but perhaps a footnote to the first 2 days. I did have some heartburn the first couple of days after treatment. Pretty sure it was not nausea, but I’ll keep an eye out for problems. Probably related to not eating properly during the chemo. Anyway, no such problems today – I did start taking Prilosec OTC yesterday. (Why am I reporting this, you might ask? Well this blog is as much to help me remember things as it is to inform you.) I think that no news in this case is actually good news.
Off topic: I did entertain TWC this morning for about 3.5 hours. We still have one old (~26 years old) TV that is analog so I ordered their Digital to Analog adapter; picture got worse; call them and they sent out a technician. He put in an amplifier/splitter and pulled new cable to the analog set and all my TV’s are now clearer – best part is there was no additional charge. Happy Camper!
Off to grill some Salmon now.
Cycle 1, Day 8 – Thursday, June 11, 2015
Really not much to report. I was a bit more tired on Saturday and Sunday after my infusion, but that seems to have passed. Mowed the yard on Monday without any problems.
Went to see Dr L this morning, primarily to have my blood checked. All blood chemistry was within normal ranges, so no problems with immunity. He said that with this treatment, I might not have any, but that’s why they’re checking the blood on a weekly basis for the first cycle.
Eight and a half years ago when I went to Dr L, I was his first MCL patient. Asked him about that today and he said he has 3 other MCL patients at this time.
I will probably update this blog weekly unless something notable happens in the meantime. I have blood tests scheduled for the next two Thursdays and my next infusion is scheduled for July 2nd & 3rd.
Life is good. Enjoy each day. Thank You Lord.
Cycle 1, Day 13 – Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Holy Charges, Batman!
I wondered out to the Medicare website a few minutes ago to see what my latest charges were. The charges had come in for my first two days of infusions. Wow! First day of infusion: $39,665.00; Second day: $16,077.00. Now repeat that every 28 days for 4 to 6 months and it could run into some real money. Gulp! No wonder the biotech stocks are doing well. Fortunately, we have good insurance.
So, how am I doing? Until my heart skipped a few beats a few minutes ago – fine. Seriously, I looked back at my blog for this stage in my first treatment and I’d say that I’m doing much, much better than then. I was extra tired the first couple of days after the infusion, but now feel as normal as can be.
I feel blessed by the Lord.
Hope you have a blessed day.
Cycle 1, Day 15 – Thursday, June 18, 2015
I love reports like this.
Went in for blood tests this morning and so far – all results are within normal range. Again, the first couple of days after the chemo I felt a little extra tired, but have felt pretty much normal since then.
From what we had read previously, if the immune system was to be compromised, it would be between weeks 2 and 3, so based on the results today, I think there will be no immune problems this cycle.
Cycle 1, Day 22 – Thursday, June 25, 2015
Blood tests today – everything within normal limits. Thank you Lord.
On this past Tuesday I went to see Dr G (my ENT doctor) and while looking into my nasal cavities he commented that he could see a ‘noticeable reduction’ in the size of the growth in there. He’s the one who found the cancerous growth to begin with. Again, Thank You Lord.
Next week I start my second round of chemo, but it will be on Wednesday and Thursday instead of Thursday and Friday because of the Independence Day holiday.