My first chemo day went remarkably well.  I’m being given simultaneous doxorubicin and ifosfamide along with messna, and two anti-nausea meds.  I played games with my best friend, did 18 laps around the unit for a certificate (a certificate?  YES!  Give me a goal to do 18 laps during my stay and I’ll do 18 a day!) I met with a young social worker and I showed her my inspiration board, a collage of photos I made to remind myself of all the smiling, loving, and supportive people around me.  On the back is my graph charting the twenty one days of this cycle.  Each day I’m measuring (for three parts of each day) my nausea, fatigue, pain, and the hours I’ve slept. Also I’m tracking laughter, joyful moments and gratitude. I later added that the happy metric does go from bad to good, the only one that does that).  She walked away saying my attitude and the things I showed her she will share with her other patients and clearly, we helped each other!

Last night palliative and pain care came by and recommended a muscle relaxer and that and my 10mg gummy gave me a great appetite and a very restful 6 hours of sleep.  For a hospital, that’s pretty good. I’ve been told the real side effects will start when I get home, but this first day is way, way better than I expected.  I was so afraid and now I’m relaxed and feel prepared!  Love you all!!

For context: I have stage IV UPS and spindle cell sarcoma, with Mets to my lungs.  I did 25 rounds of radiation and tolerated it extremely well. It killed 90 of my tumor which was surgically removed 11/3. The incision still hurts like hell, so that’s the one pain (in my ass!). Other than that, I’m so freaking lucky!  I have hope which I have for all readers on this sub!

First Day of Chemo