Chemo, Cycle 1, Day 1

I had my first cycle of chemotherapy today at the Western Sydney Private Oncology Centre, a procedure that's necessitated by my colon cancer - an unfortunate family treasure that I most definitely did not ask to inherit.

We came in at 1pm after attending Ethan's awarding ceremony. The place was quick fancy. They have several 'stations' which was a cubicle with a reclining chair, a second chair for a companion, a tv, power outlets, and of course the IV machine. We were helped by a very kind Filipina nurse who also administered the drug.

The process is somewhat simple. You show up at the reception, fill up your details on the form then sign some docs (insurance stuff), then head to your station. The nurse then prepares the infusion site, followed by about 20mins of 5% Glucose drip to prepare the vein. She also administered a dose of anti-nausea fluid (can't remember which) before starting the 2-hour Oxaliplatin infusion. The infusion itself was uneventful. No weird feelings nor pain, except for the injection site plus the usual numbness and discomfort of having an IV.

Since this is my very first infusion, and every person's reaction might be different, I needed to monitor my condition and report anything alarming. So, I'm using this blog to do just that. Now I am aware that some of these may be mental because I am looking for symptoms therefore I will find, i.e. my brain's influencing my body, but it's better to be cautious and safe.

Here are my symptoms so far:

1. Metallic Taste
   
   At around halfway mark of the infusion, I started to sense a metallic taste coming up to my mouth. It's not too bad but quite noticeable. It felt like it was "climbing up" from my chest/stomach region up to my mouth.
    
2. Voice Box
   
   As soon as we left the hospital I noticed that my voice was craking even when I'm just talking. Like when you just woke up and tried singing but you can't. In fact during worship service later in the night, I tried singing along but my voice would often crack up. I used to belt screaming high notes on Journey's Faithfully, Scorpion's Wind of Change, or Bon Jovi's Bed Of Roses with relative ease (wife says "in your dreams!"), but now I can't even sign Happy Birthday properly. Surprisingly, this is not listed as a side effect in the literature given to us, but a quick google search confirmed that I'm not alone.
    
3. Jaw Spasms
   
   On the way home we passed by Coles to buy some stuff (antibacterial stuff to protect the kids from me, and me from, well, everyone). At the carpark I decide to take a bite of the sandwich we got from the hospital. As soon as I bit, my jaw spasmed. It hurt so much it felt like it was locking. The pain continued for about 5 seconds and quickly subsided. I was able to eat the sandwich after.
   
   When we got home, I decided to eat a soft plain croissant and it happened again. Very intense pain on the corner of my jaw. I ate again at around 10pm and same thing happened.
    
4. Muscle Pain and Weakness
   
   Around 4 hours after the infusion, during the worship service, I started feeling numbing pain on my forearms and calves. They felt weak and tired but painful at the same time. My calves were cramping for about 5 minutes but started to feel a little better.
    
5. Nausea
   
   At around 9:30pm, 4 1/2 hours after the infusion, I started getting nausea. It wasn't too bad. No urge vomit nor was there any excruciating pain on my abdomen. It was just some lightheadedness and a general feeling of being unwell.
    
6. Pins and Needles
   
   I have been warned multiple times about this so I guess it was the least surprising. I had been feeling it on my arm around the infusion site since after the needle was removed. Sharp tender pain around the area and feels very very sensitive to touch - just like what follows when you sit on your foot long enough to make it numb.
   
   But so far it was isolated to one arm, which is expected because the drug was passing through there. I was actually waiting for this sensation on my hands and palms but it wasn't happening. Until I washed my hands with cold water. As soon as my finger touched the cold water, I got pins and needles sensation on my hands. It wasn't painful but uncomfortable. I quickly turned on the hot water and the feeling went away as well.
    

I have also just taken my first dose of cepacitabine tablets just about 30 minutes ago. I'm not feeling any new side effects yet other than a slight headache, which I think is more due to me stressing rather than the meds taking effect.

All in all, I'd say it was a good first day. A lot of minor symptoms but none to be too concerned with. I feel good right now. I managed to drive the car from hospital and even attend worship service after. I think I can even report to work tomorrow. Thumbs up!