Today is my first chemo iron infusion in 2 years….
I’m NERVOUS.
The stuff they gave me two years ago, they longer use. Dextran, evidently, kills people. In fact, they lost a few patients while they sat there getting their infusions. They didn’t go into details about it, but I have to assume anaphylactic shock, since that was one of the big concerns with Dextran. And why I would have a panic attack whenever I had the treatment. And why they started “pre-medicating” me with tranquilizers before the treatments… you’d be surprised how much a full-blown panic attack and anaphylactic shock resemble one another, in appearance… it’s really quick embarrassing. They will be “pre-medicating” me this time around, as well… which is why Kory has to be there to drive me home.
So, Dextran having been retired, they are now using something called Venofer .
It doesn’t require a test dose (which is a huge time saver) and doesn’t have that scary black box label and is supposed to be much, much safer – the iron is attached to a different sugar and seems to work well. I need 1000mg and it will be given in 4 250mg doses over the next 4 Fridays (including next Friday which is MY BIRTHDAY *sigh*).
Kory: Can we just knock her out and give her the whole dose in one shot? (he’s been through this several times with me and he knows how physically and emotionally draining it is for all of us)
Doogie (my doc, who looks like a 10 year old Campbell’s Soup Kid): No, we can’t do that.
Me: How about 2 doses of 500?
Doogie: (looking on the computer) Well, it does say in the protocols that 500mg should be safe, but I think it would be really hard to talk the nurses into doing it.
Me: I DO NOT FUCKING WANT ANYTHING THE NURSES DO NOT WANT
Doogie: Exactly.
Me: AS IF I AM NOT NERVOUS ENOUGH, I DO NOT NEED NERVOUS NURSES
Doogie: Exactly. (smiling)
Doogie is one of those let you come to the correct common-sense decision all by yourself kind of doctors. Smart guy, really, as by the time we left I was stomping around, demanding to come back 4 times for 4 treatments.
I’ve been bamboozled.
I’ll be thinking of you. If nothing else it is a good gloomy day – great day for curling up on the couch afterwards. Not all sunny and nice and mocking you for having to go through some icky procedure instead of outside frolicking in the sun.
Comment by Tanya — April 25, 2008 @ 8:14 am
Denise, I’m so sorry. I’ve certainly never had this before, but have had my share of icky medical stuff over the years. I’m glad they are giving you good happy pills to calm you down, and glad Kory is there to drive you home. And, hey, it’s a crappy day out anyway, so a perfect day to curl up on the couch and rest afterwards. Good luck!
Comment by Krista — April 25, 2008 @ 8:29 am
Sending you good feelings on the ethers! (Handy thing those ethers). Watch a good movie with a nice comfy quilt and relax, you have lots of good people around you who love you. Heck, I don’t even know you and yet you brighten my day almost everyday!
Gabbi
Comment by Gabbi — April 25, 2008 @ 8:51 am