cycle 2 BEACOPP almost done and coped a lot better than cycle 1. No major issues although the chemo drugs on day 8 definitely cause some bad gas issues (embarrassing) and having lost my hair down there also. Let's just say my body is not completely happy, who would have thought that my biggest complaint atm is something everybody could suffer with. I know one person who will enjoy reading about this ....
during this time I had a realisation that all of this has helped me overcome my tendency to faint following injections and definitely when having blood tests. It all started when i was about 7 and on holiday in Tenerife during which I contracted an ear infection which the dr had advised I needed to get my temperature down or could not fly home. Pills were not doing the trick so a nice jab in bum was required, took 2 steps outside afterwards and collapsed. The dr gave me some salts in water, and I came back too. Anyway it worked and flew home on time but I generally associated injections with passing out. i would cope initially but would become so tense that all the blood would rush away from my head, forgetting to breath and I would pass out afterwards.
well same thing happened on my first chemo session taking 20 mins just to get going, although it was more the feeling of the flush entering your veins. Why they have to take it straight from the fridge so you have a cold feeling all of a sudden rushing up your arm. Without a doubt the strangest thing to get used to. Well it's now been 5 sessions since I last passed out and have managed to largely become comfortable with it (although avoid watching) it is a means to an end. The worst bit now is the removing of the cannula, due to all the sticky tape required to hold it in having that ripped off is most unpleasant.bthere have been some ethings I have learnt;
1. Hydrate it helps the nurse find a vein
2. Keep warm for same reason ( have turned up on a sunny day in coat and gloves)
3. concentrate on the simple things like breathing
on my current regime I have a lot of needles every two weeks I have 2 blood tests, 4 cannulas and 10 home injections.
day 0- blood tests
day 1 - cannula for chemo 3 hours
day 2-3 - cannula for chemo 1 hour
day 4-6 no needles
day 7 - blood tests
day 8 - cannula for chemo 1 hour
day 9-14 - 2 injections daily on a diy basis
So well done me :), although probably tempting fate..
