Chemo Day

Chemo Day

WARNING….WARNING…WARNING…WARNING…WARNING…

OK, you HAVE BEEN warned…..I decided to document my chemo treatment today. If you have a weak stomach you may want to skip viewing this blog!!!!

Thanks to Marie for joining me on this treatment and being the photographer.

My appointment was at 8:00 A.M. this morning, the first stop is the desk to check in and make a co-payment!




Now we wait in for a few minutes in the waiting room.



Don’t you like my “press and seal”? I wish that they used this instead of the dreaded tape. Before I go in I have to apply an ointment that numbs the area where my port is so that I won’t feel the needle that they have to insert.


This is the tray of medical equipment that is used to access my port. Notice the needle that is located right beneath the yellow plastic object that is on the lower right hand side of the tray.


This shows you a picture of my port. It is the bump right below the collar bone.


No, this is not blood!!! This is the iodine mixture that is applied to kill any germs that may be on the port access area.


This shows a picture of Shelly, the nurse as she is inserting the needle. I can’t feel a thing, it doesn’t hurt!


After the port is accessed Shelly can take a few vials of my blood. They check my white blood cell count and make sure that it is high enough before they administer the chemo.


The worst part of accessing the port is the tape…yes it has to be strong tape so that germs can’t seep through, but it is so strong that it hurts when it has to be removed!!!! The thought makes me cringe!


Ready to go…but first I have to meet with the doctor.



Dr. Harker took the day off so I just met with Rick his PA today. Everything seems to be fine with my blood work so all systems are go for chemo!

Now we wait in the Chemo Waiting Room for a few minutes while they get my chemo ready!

Here is a picture of the chemo room at the Utah Cancer Specialists. Usually the room is busy, but since it is MLK day there were only 2 other patients today.


Today Darren was my chemo nurse; he is getting me hooked up to receive the chemo. Notice the comfortable leather recliner that I get to relax in while I get my “drugs”.


Darren makes sure that I am warm and comfy during my treatment. I love the warm blanket. They also let us have treats while we are undergoing chemo. You can see the refrigerator behind the chair where Marie sat during my chemo, it is stocked with juices, pop, and other munchies!


Now I just sit and relax for either an hour or an hour and a half while the chemo drips into my body! Today Marie and I watched an episode of “The Office” while we were waiting.



At half-time I usually have to unplug the pump and take a “potty break”. With the juice plus the liquids dropping into my body I have really need this break.


Now the worst part of the treatment…removing the tape!!! Darren is gentle, but it still hurts!!!!


The tape is gone!!!!!



The little bandage to keep my port free from germs while the puncture wound heals. I only have to leave this on for about an hour!


Marie and I are glad to have completed my final chemo treatment for the first round!!! I continue to have minimal side effects, I will find out later this week when I start radiation and my next round of chemo!!!!

Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers!