So my last post left off right before my first treatment when I wasn't doing very well at all...

The ride to Manhattan was very uncomfortable and I was feeling another fever coming on, but I had an appointment with my doctor and was scheduled for my first round of chemo. After an explanation of every side-effect that is possible, I was examined by my doctor and even though my blood counts and liver function was not looking very good she determined it was best to start the treatment anyway. I receive three different chemo drugs which take about two hours to prepare and mix. The wait was awful and I had to be wrapped in warm blankets because I was feeling very cold from the fever that had developed. After a wait that seemed like forever I was taken back to a small area with a reclining chair which would serve as my chemotherapy room. Since I was incredibly dehydrated from the fevers still I would have to have one I.V. filled with hydrating fluids placed in my arm, and the I.V. from which I received the chemo placed in the meta-port in my chest. I never really minded needles, but I've discovered that taking a deep breath as the needle goes in does help a lot. That trick works really well for the arms...the needle in the chest still pinches like hell when it goes in, but once it's in I can't even notice. So the process of receiving the chemo treatments takes a total of two hours which gives me some time to relax. The last part of the process is the Baxter Bottle. The pump is basically a slightly enlarged baby bottle with a balloon full of chemo drug that is pumped in through my chest over a period of 48 hours. I wear the bottle attached to my belt-loop of my jeans and it really doesn't get in the way too bad when I sleep. On the Saturday I went back to the city to be taught how to disconnect the pump, which turned out to be a relatively easy process as long as you don't mind taking a needle out of your own chest. The best part about my first treatment is that the fevers stopped immediately, and as gross as it sounds, I actually felt my liver gradually shifting back into place.

The second treatment was much easier because I did not feel terrible from fevers and dehydration anymore. So I became familiar with my regular routine for chemo: get my blood drawn, meet with the doctor, wait two hours, have the chemo pumped in for two hours, take the pump home and disconnect on Saturday night. My visit with the doctor went very well and she said my blood counts had all risen back to normal levels, and my liver function was back to normal as well. The only concern was that I had lost about 5 more lbs. so my orders were to eat everything in sight.

The third treatment started off with good news that my blood counts were even higher and that my energy levels suggested that from a clinical perspective, the chemo has been doing what it's supposed to. The bad news was that since I started my chemo the day after my meta-port was placed, the incision started to form a scab and looked as if an infection could be starting. As a result I was put on antibiotics for a week and could not take the pump home with me because leaving a needle in close to the infected site would only make matters worse. Well the good news was that I gained back 5 lbs. and I show no signs of slowing down my new eating habits. The bad news is that I do experience some of the side-effects, but I admit it could be worse. I can't tell if my hair is falling out faster than normal (thanks to my dad), but I took care of that problem by shaving my head so I keep my self esteem pretty high haha. I am very sensitive to cold...I have to wear oven mitts while grabbing things out of the freezer or else my hands will start tingling for a while. I also can't drink cold liquids because it feels like my throat is closing. Sometimes I get tired easily, but I do the activities that I can at my own pace. The last side-effect is that I have nausea that comes out of nowhere sometimes, but luckily they have given me some awesome medication that either puts me to sleep or makes that feeling go away. Luckily these side-effects only last for 4 or 5 days, then I'm pretty much back to my old self...just a lot skinnier. But just know that I am doing fine and honestly the hardest part of this process is the mental side of things. I am always positive through this and I am way too stubborn to ever give up fighting because the alternative is not being here with those that I care about. I'll keep everyone updated soon because I am going to the genetics clinic next week as well as having my regularly scheduled treatment...LIVESTRONG...I love you all.

-Nate