Today was my first official appointment as a “cancer patient” with Dr. Roberts at Arizona Oncology. This is the same doctor that diagnosed me at St Josephs hospital and broke the horrible news. This first appointment was to go over all of the chemo drugs and options, answer any questions, and get my first dose of the drug to help increase my bone density.
I think I have decided to do one of the clinical trial studies. I will be in a blind study to receive 3 of their standard chemo drugs for lung disease, or possibly receive a new drug mixed with two of the standard drugs for treatment. We went over side effects today and basically they all suck! Vomiting, hair loss, numbness in hands/feet, reduction of white/red blood cells..the list goes on. I am soooo not looking forward to this. Since my cancer is not going away anytime soon, I will be on chemo for an indefinite amount of time! I think the cycle is every 3 weeks I get an injection.
The injection day, I have to sit in this open room with horribly uncomfortable chairs for 7 hours!!!!! They did say I can have visitors so I guess this may be a good time to see friends and pass the time.
I received the bone density drugs and started breaking out in hives. Then all of the sudden I felt clastrophoic, itchy, hot, and super uncomfortable. the feeling is almost indescribable and HORRIBLE! Basically I freaked out, and they had to give me benedryl.
I have a super busy week ahead. I am basically booked back to back with dr appointments thru next mMnday! I am really starting to hate all of this.
Did I mention that at AZ Oncology I was by far the youngest and looked the healthiest there???