Monday's Chemo

I would like to report that monday's chemo was uneventful but I'm sorry to say I cannot. No, Ginger didn't cause a scene (although that could have happened). Everything started out fine. I was in my chemo chair - large recliner in a room of 6 others with morning television blasting in the background. The iv nurse gave me my premedication which includes steroids, anti nausea medication and lots of other goodies. It was also supposed to include benadryl (I guess the doc didn't order it). Premeds went fine. Then the big stuff - Taxotere, the first of the chemo drugs. 8 to 9 % of people are allergic to this drug, me being one of them. It's too bad I or the doc didn't know that before I got the infusion. Drip, drip, drip, then Oh My God, Oh My God, Oh MY God!!!! The allergic reaction started. My chest got tight, my throat started to close up, I couldn't breath, I was sweating and my heart was racing (yes, I thought my defibrillator was going to go off). Ginger called to them immediately and they were on me in two seconds. They stopped the drip and adminstered the bendryl and oxygen and I was saved. Hooray, I was saved!!! I was soooo glad that Mom had left to check on Dad and Ginger was there. What an experience! After I was chock full of benadryl and a rested they started the drip again, very slowly and no reaction. Then it was on to the cytoxin. No problem with that drug. No reaction just plain boring! I was sent home in a benadryl coma and spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing. The next day I woke up with a bright sunburn that was brought on by the steroids. I was nice and rosy for the day! No need for me to go suntanning when you got steroids burning up inside you! That has gone away and now I'm waiting for the other side effects. For those of you who are curious, check in in a couple of days and I'll fill you in. I promise I won't be too graphic! Talk to ya soon! Love, Susan