I started my next new round of chemo (R-CHOP) yesterday. Last week I had my port implanted in my chest for the chemo. I actually had a Powerport placed in so it can be used for CT and PET scans since I have a lot of those. The surgery took about an hour and I have about a quarter size triangle port under my skin (looks like a bump) and it connects to my jugular by a catheter. It took two incisions. The catheter is sewed into my jugular. This will keep me from having to poke around my veins for an IV each time I get my chemo and give labs since my veins are so tiny and roll. Yesterday's chemo session actually took about 9 hours. I was to be given four drugs but wasn't able to get one of them because my liver enzymes were way to high so I'll have to have an extra treatment at the end. The nurse told me to be prepared to lose most of my hair. It will start falling out in about three weeks. When it does.... I'll go ahead and shave it. I think it's worse to watch it fall out slowly. I will need to start finding scarves and hats to wear. No goofy wig for me! The hardest thing for me during this treatment will be to stay healthy. Chemo makes your white blood count drop and since I have chronic low white blood count, I have to be extra careful. I'm suppose to stay away from crowds, kids and unclean places. I have to go to the ER if my temperature gets to 101 in order to get antibodics. I basically have to be really careful. And my husband says I'm never careful about stuff like that so he's going to be watching over me like a mother hen.
I'll post more later ~ thanks for all the emails, posts and calls!!!