Phase 1 is complete

Today's Chemo Cocktail

Just a quick note this evening to share the fact that I made it through today with little issue to report.  The double chemo cocktail has been administered so Phase 1 is now complete.  Did not take near as long as I was led to believe going in to it, so that was a pleasant surprise.  Jessica was there through the whole thing, in her usual spot at my side.  I also had other visitors stop in while I was there, which tends to make the time a bit more enjoyable.  My parents stopped in early on their way to San Francisco, so I got to visit with them for a little while.  Robby also came by and sat with me for the majority of the time that the drugs were being administered and it was good to have him there.
Step one is to insert the IV into a vein in my right hand and secure it with as much adhesive tape as is physically possible.  I first get 30 minutes of anti-nausea medicine with a 30 minute wait period after.  Then it was 60 minutes of the Docetaxel, followed by 30 minutes of Carboplatin.  After that, about a 5 minute flush with saline and out the door I went.  I think we were out of there about noon, and we were glad to be finished.  Today's combination of drugs made my arm sore for awhile, but that was the extent of the main reaction.  I felt extremely tired all day, partly probably due to me waking up with some pretty intense pain at 4 am and not being able to get back to sleep.  That and being very apprehensive about the coming treatment.  Currently I have some mild nausea and some pain, but nothing that is overly troublesome and I am hopeful that I get some good rest.
Other than the treatment, it was a somewhat uneventful day.  I did make it by the farmers market on Airline in Houston and picked up supplies for next weeks juice fest with my sister and her family.  I am going to be staying with my sister the next couple of weeks while I work just so I am not living by myself up there after having chemo this week and the uncontrollable growing mass of malice still showing no signs of slowing down.  I am worried that it will start to impair my ability to breath and figured that it might be good to stay somewhere that others can help keep an eye on me.  I will be taking my juicer and we will be treated to wonderful, nutritious vegetable concoctions comprised of kale, spinach, beets, celery, carrots, squash, cucumbers and whatever else we decide to throw in there.  The Vannoys are in for quite a treat in the coming weeks and will likely rejoice the day I leave when they can resume their normal life.  Must sleep now and get ready for A.J. soccer game in the morning.
Jessica also did correct me about something I said in the post yesterday.  The shot I am getting at MD Anderson tomorrow is to boost my white blood cell count, not for nausea.  It is given in hopes that my blood cell counts rebound after they hit their low point after this chemo and I am ready to go for surgery on the 13th.  Good night.