Fighting Breast Cancer

Cancer cells are very fast growing cells.  Chemotherapy is effective because it kills fast growing cells.  Unfortunately, cells like those in your hair, your red and white blood cells and blue platelets are also fast growing cells.  This is why many cancer patients lose their hair, become anemic and immuno-compromised.  Therefore, the day after each chemo treatment, I am required to return to the Mayo clinic to receive a Neulasta injection.  Neulasta stimulates my bone marrow to make more white blood cells. 

After taking a few sleeping aids, I finally got some rest.  This morning I still feel a little sick to my stomach.  I throw up one more time.  But, I think I’m through the worst of it.  In addition to the Zofran, I was prescribed Compazine and Ativan to help with my nausea and sleep.  Bang up job so far.

My parents, husband and I pile back into the car and make the trek back to the hospital.  We ride the elevator to the 4th floor and I sign in in the OPIV room.  Again, I’m given a beeper and I sit with my family and wait.  About 15 minutes later, the beeper vibrates and walk back to receive my injection. 

I must not look very good, because Roberta, the nurse who adminitered my chemo, walks over and looks at me concerned.  She has me sit down and asks how I feel and if I had any nausea.  I tell her I feel like a truck ran me over and I puked 6 times.  The puking concerns her and she says that she will contact Dr. N and have a stronger anti-nausea med prescribed for my next round of chemo. 

Next, she takes my vitals.  No temperature, but my blood pressure and heart rate are higher than normal.  Next she pulls out the Nuelasta injection.  It’s chilled and she tries to warm it with her hands.  She tells me that it may be painful as she depresses it, so she’ll go very slow.  She sticks the needle and my left arm.  It stings a little, but it’s not that bad.  Finally she pulls the needle out and I am free to go. 

I walk out to the lobby and my family look at me expectantly.  Michael grabs my arm protectively and helps me outside while my dad grabs the car.  We pile back in and make our way home. 

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