9th April 2010
John had his first session of chemotherapy today. We were both very apprehensive but the staff in the unit couldn't have been kinder. There was an awful lot to take in regarding side effects and what he should and shouldn't do while undergoing the treatment.
He is to take two types of tablets daily and will receive IV drugs, including a clinical trial, every three weeks.
During our visit today, he developed severe stomach pain and then realised that he hadn't taken his pain meds before setting off for the hospital. The nurse overseeing him brought him some paracetamol and oramorph but the pain persisted so she got a doctor to check him over. The gave him an ECG too, just to make sure it wasn't his heart.
Eventually, the pain subsided and the treatment was carried out. First the clinical trial was administered (30 minutes), then the first dose of regular chemo which was a red liquid given through an enormous syringe directly into the tube, followed by another bag of chemo which took two hours. All in all we were there for a total of five hours.
We were both very tired after the session, partly because it was such a lot to take in and partly from the actual experience. He was sent home with a bagful of tablets which included anti-sickness and two lots of chemo and instructions on how and when to take them. Our heads were spinning. He already takes so many tablets for other things that we're running out of space!
So far (10.30pm) no symptoms but these will kick in in the next 10-12 days. He did suffer a painful muscle spasm near the site of the IV and his arm is still very painful.
It was made clear to him that he MUST keep up his pain meds even if he isn't in any pain to keep it under control.
Poor John. He's sitting there tonight looking so stunned and tired and working up the energy to get himself ready for bed. Will life ever get back to normal?
