Chipmunk Face!

So the first week of Harvesting of Stem Cells is done! And the end result: I look very chipmunk 🐿 like, hehe 😜

This is how I got there: 
EVENT 1- Dec 14, Placement of the Apharesis Catheter 
This is a nice skinny tube inserted into the internal jugular vein and threaded through the superior vena cava into the heart! ❤️
This is me prior to surgery, pretty excited to get my catheter!

During the procedure, I was given Fentanyl and Versed, I was consciously sedated, so was awake during the whole thing but was groggy!
And this is the tube after the surgery :

This catheter is used to get blood, infuse the chemo, and collect my stem cells! Seems like a NICE tube, but actually, I’m lying, it’s NOT a NICE tube, it’s a very MEAN tube! I was so sore for a couple days- it hurt to lie in bed, cough, basically move at all! But now tis much better! 😀

EVENT 2- Dec 16, 10 hours of chemotherapy
So the chemotherapy was only a 2 hour infusion of cytoxan.

But I got 6-7 L of fluids and other meds, including:

Mesna– given to protect your bladder! The chemo can cause hemorrhagic cystitis (bleeding from bladder)

Emend– Helps prevent nausea and vomiting 

zofran– another anti-nausea med

dexamethasone– steroids!!

So the chemo definitely did a number on me!

 I was so happy the bathroom was a few feet away, but I was so weak that even that was too far!

The bedside commode became my new best friend! 😊

But I don’t know what happened- I’m thinking it was the steroids, but by the end of the day, I regained my strength!  🥳
And as an added bonus, after getting 6-7 L of fluids, I looked like a chipmunk 🐿 

Hehe see judge for yourself:

But take home points:

-Keep on top of the anti-nausea meds!

-EAT to keep your strength up

-Steroids help!

-Drink water 🚿 

-Walk around!