8/17 The First Chemotherapy Treatment (Cycle One Day One)

Today was the first day of treatment. I was definitly anxious, but eager to get it going. We got at the hospital at 8am and was hooked up with anti nausea medication to start. I was prescribed some medication so i won’t have to get the IV ones anymore. The good thing about having this port in my left arm is that it is that it makes taking blood and getting the IV so much easier and less painful. I was also given numbing medication for the area so it helps alot!

Next was the chemo set. The Chemo consists of 4 drugs called to ABVD treatment. The common name for this drugs are, adriamycin (doxorubicin),bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine. For more info about the chemo click the link i provided.

These are all given in one sitting and are done in a cycle. Every two weeks i go in for another round. Some things i may and will experience from the side effects will be; hair loss, low blood counts, mouth sores, weakness and tingling in my extremities, and nausea and vomiting.

Its going to get really tough soon as the chemo destroys even the good cells. Preventing my self from infections and viruses are going to be very tough, but i’m going to take the utmost care of myself.

Tonight after the treatment i am feeling very well. My stomach was upset earlier but after some medication im doing fine. I met two girls roughly my age who are going through the same thing, one is almost done with her treatment and one who just started a month ago. They told me that the worst of the effects last about 4 days after the injections, so we will see how i feel this weekend. Also they said that the first cycle is the worst and it is up and down day by day. I’m hoping i do well these next two weeks.

Thats all for now, i’ll talk to everyone soon.

-MIKE