Today was Del's first day of Chemo. We had to go early for "Chemo class". This is a time to watch a video about all of the possible side effects; nausea, lack of appetite, hair loss, etc. There was also a Q&A session. So much unknown because everyone is different and such a helpless feeling. After the chemo class, he had his doctor's appointment and then it was time to start, what he likes to call, his drano. It is really a cocktail of Oxaliplatin and Leucovorin.
First they use Saline to make sure his port is open and clean. Then they put in Magnesium and something else that I can't remember. After that, they start the cocktail and that will drip in for about 2 hours. Once all of that is done, he got unhooked from the cocktail drip and then hooked up to a pump for the final part of his 2 day regiment. The Fluorouracil is given to him via a pump over the next 46 hours. So far, he is doing well with it.... no side effects but they say that it takes a few days for them to come along. He was even able to eat meatloaf... LOL
The chemo class talked a lot about nutrition and how to keep/get nutrients if you are not feeling like eating. They recommend making everything count. High calorie, high protein food. Also, Boost, Ensure, those types of drinks. They also say to eat a lot of small meals instead of 3 regular size meals. We are still waiting to see how this will effect his appetite. They already called in a prescription for nausea medication just in case.
The only complaint he has right now is that the tubing from the pump to the port has a couple of plastic clips on it and they scratch him. We solved that by wrapping it in some gauze and taping it to his chest. I pray that this is his only issue.
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