I started off yesterday with a blood draw — this is a standard first step for all chemo infusions. I was happy to see that all looks stable with my white blood cells and complete blood count (CBC), no concerning drops from two weeks ago.

Next, met with a member of my oncologist’s team, a PA. Very jovial, exuberant fellow, he immediately announced his amusement with how I had filled out my pre-visit questionnaire. Its first question is: “what is your primary objective in today’s meeting?”

My answer, in large, underlined letters, was:

REDUCE STEROIDS!!!

He came in laughing an “oho, I’ve got a feisty one!” laugh, and he said “ok, we need to frame this one. This is hilarious!” I didn’t find anything funny until he explained yes, no problem, they can cut the steroids in half, given the fact I didn’t really struggle with nausea during my first cycle. I guess my very direct comment stood out as something unique. So, that was great. Reduced steroids = less crazy = more sleep.

Things then got a little exciting during the oxaliplatin infusion.

Oxaliplatin is the part where I do the icing thing; wear mitts and gloves with ice inserts, and suck on ice chips. Sarabeth was with me during this point and helped with the logistics here — it’s a lot to juggle! During the oxaliplatin, I felt the chemo fatigue and brain fog settle in. A nurse came by to check on me, and when I wasn’t really able to clearly articulate how I was doing (a problem I’ve had before), the nurse got concerned and started asking me more specific “do you feel” questions. I answered yes to chest pain, because I had felt some minor tightness around my port, and that got him concerned. He called in others (a sort of roving urgent care squad, I believe) who asked to give more details, a 1-10 scale, etc. I thought I conveyed a low number, that it was minor, but they decided to give me a Benadryl shot.

Benadryl catapulted me into a nightmare of anxiety — which I guess is not a common reaction (they told me it would make me feel drowsy). I felt dizzy, my heart was racing, and I felt like I almost couldn’t control myself from bolting out of the room. It was a terrifying sensation. When I explained this to them, they then decided to give me ativan (lorazepam), which fortunately calmed me down very quickly.

The next infusion is irinotecan, and I didn’t notice any side effects or additional trouble during that one.

The great news is that I slept well last night. I think the 1/2 reduction to my steroids definitely helped here. Also, as I was still feeling the Benadryl effects as I went to bed, I took another Ativan (they gave me a prescription) and that likely helped with sleep as well.

Today, I’ve been doing ok, all things considered. I was able to make up a smoothie this morning, had that for breakfast. Appetite has been fine. Certainly fatigue, first bite syndrome, and some odd throat sensations when I swallow, but that’s about it today. Hoping for another good night’s sleep tonight.