Week Two... Ready, Set, Go!!

Monday started off pretty smoothly.  My radiation appointment went quickly and I was at my chemo appointment by 8 am.  My vitals and labs all looked good and by 9:30 am the Cisplatin infusion was started.  Some of my awesome co-workers stopped by to check in on me and shared a few laughs (so much appreciated)!!

This week the premeds didn't make me quite as groggy but I was still experiencing some substantial dizziness during and after the infusion.  In addition, my IV line felt a little different than the first week and my pre-hydration felt "cold" as it was infusing.  The nurse explained that sometimes the catheter within the vein is along side a nerve and it can feel a little strange.  There was no pain and good blood return so she wasn't concerned.  A few minutes after the Cisplatin began infusing I felt a warm sensation in my body.  I had also felt this warmth during the first infusion but chalked it up to being nervous.  I did a quick re-review of the side effects of Cisplatin and did not find any mention of a warmth sensation.  I did a quick literature search and found that patients can experience flushing but couldn't find specifics on a warmth sensation.  I considered that it could've been a hot flash (one of the downsides of pelvic radiation is that I will be experience menopause and all of the dreaded symptoms fairly soon) but since it only lasted during the infusion and no other times I think that is unlikely.  Due to some lingering dizziness, I decided to go home after my chemo appointment and try to rest and work a bit from home.

"I may look like a cat, but actually I'm a person covered in fur"

Unfortunately, Monday evening Nathan and I discovered that one of our cats, Woodrow McMeowerson Bible (aka Woody), wasn't feeling well.  He was vomiting and unable to use the litter box.  Nathan and I decided to take him to the OSU Emergency Vet Monday evening and he was diagnosed with a urinary obstruction with abnormal labs.
Poor Woody had to be admitted so that they could sedate him, place a kitty catheter to release all the pressure, and correct his abnormal labs.  We received a call from the Vet today (Tuesday) reporting that Woody was doing really well but that he would probably need to stay in the kitty hospital for a few more days.

I must end with a shout out to Nathan who totally up'd his "snack game" this week and brought me bacon and a nice slice of sourdough bread (from the one and only Dan the Baker).