T-5 (Wednesday)

I had a pretty decent night's sleep. Perhaps attributed to the Ambien they gave me. Normally, I'm not a big fan of sleep aids but they told me that it's very important for me to sleep. More sleep = better healing. So, I acquiesced.

I received my first chemotherapy infusion last night directly into the chest catheter. It was a little intimidating because Jo the nurse comes in with a small IV bag and she's dressed in a HAZMAT suit -- not really -- but practically. Full sleeved long robe, gloves, full-shield face mask. Evidentally, this stuff can go into your blood stream and get to work but you'd better not get any on your skin! It could burn right through. Some chemotherapeutic agents are administered via glass syringes because they'd burn right through any plastic container. The one I received last night, FLUDARABINE is not quite that caustic. I didn't feel it going in, though on some level it felt like I ought to. It felt like a momentous occassion. I guess it was kinda anti-climactic. I'm told that the actual stem cell infusion is very much the same.

Earlier in the day, I was given NEXIUM by mouth to protect my GI Tract. An hour before receiving the Fludarabine, I was given EMEND by mouth and then I was given an infusion of DECADRON and ZOFRAN. EMEND and ZOFRAN are anti-nausea medications and the DECADRON is a corticosteroid and anti-inflammatory. In addition, I've been taking ACTIGALL every 12 hours to protect my liver. These are given prophylactically and hopefully to stave off some of the potential side effects of the chemo.

At 6:00AM, Jo came in to draw today's bloods. It was "a pleasure" to be able to have my blood drawn without being stuck by a needle. This was the first time they used the new catheter to draw. Much easier and very interesting on an intellectual level -- that this can be used to draw from within to out and vice versa. Amazing.

David, Jacob, and Rachel were here last night and witnessed the whole chemo deal. It's not an easy thing to have to go through and I don't imagine it's a whole lot easier to witness on someone you love.

So far, I'm feeling about the same as I have been for weeks. Still fatigued but at least more optimistic. I do have pain now where they inserted the catheter but I understand that that's normal and that I can have pain medication for it if I so desire.

Happiness is waking up and making myself a cup of coffee right here in my room.