The First Cycle

8:30am Debbi and Danita arrive at the Cancer Care Center. For the next hour they get information about side effects, and the care and feeding of the chemotherapy patient. After a quick CBC to make sure the blood is happy, the chemo started dripping. The treatment room is very large and spacious. There is fountain and a grand piano at one end. Debbi pulled her chair over by the fountain and settled in for the duration.
About an hour into the treatment, a retired oncologist came in to cheer the troops with his piano skills. He managed to play about 4 songs in row that were the very songs Debbi was wondering if she could get him to play. After playing he came over and talked with Debbi - He said she had a calm and peace about her that was very unusual in that setting. She was very encouraged.
Around noon, when the increased the drip of rituximab, she had an allergic reaction. Her chest starting hurting and she began shallow breathing. She created quite a stir in the chemo room. She stabilized quickly and was able to continue. Whitney and Allison, with their usual impeccable timing were just coming to visit when all the excitement broke out. After about five minutes, when the nurses had her stabilized, the girls were pleased to be able to have lunch with their Mama, as by then all were looking forward to their Hardee burgers.
Patients came and went throughout the day with the only constant ones being Debbi, Danita and the nurses. About 6:00pm, without further incident, she was finally done, unplugged and shown the door.
Tonight she is feeling a little puny and is going to rest watching an old Cary Grant comedy. We don't really know what tomorrow will bring. She was sent home with some powerful anti-nausea/vomiting medicine, and some steroids. So I guess she's prepared for whatever, but will just have to wait and see what develops.
Thanks for those of you who have kept Debbi in your thoughts and prayers, we can sure feel it.