Getting ready for chemo

In order to get chemo going, you have to have a chemo port installed and attend chemo class (thankfully with COVID-19, they now have virtual chemo class!). I do have chemo delayed a week because Dr. Beale has pulled off some scabs and added stitches and wants them to heal before starting chemo. Note on the scabs: they were under where my boobs were and the stitches are. When recovering from removal, you still have to wear a bra (non wireless) 24/7, but the band is where the stitches are. And they rub. And, rub. Meanwhile, the scars scab. But the rubbing. Well, you get it. I had some big scabs – and when they pulled them, they needed stitches.

Virtual chemo class was a snoozer – and my teacher was 30 minutes late. Who knew that could happen with virtual. Already used to waiting on doctors, but really? I did find out what all of these prescriptions were for. One is steroids before and after each session. One is anti nausea, after each session. Two are anti nausea, vomiting, as needed (non and drowsy versions). The best part of my healthcare has been the cheap meds (I got a 10 day supply of pain killers for under a dollar!). Chemo class tells you what to bring, what to wear, what to eat. Nothing I hadn’t read already. I “passed.”

Now the chemo port install was a bit more than I thought. It was knock you out again fully surgery. But, no overnight. I got yelled at by Medical City for being late even though I was told to be there at 2 pm. Medical City thinks you need to be at least 3 hours before surgery – and kept asking – who told you to be there at 2 pm. Like I can remember with all of these appointments. On chemo port day, I am escorted to the same room (with cable) as before, and they ask you lots and lots of questions (same ones I answered for the last surgery). And eventually take all of your stuff (including cell) and send you up to the pre op room (where they ask you the same questions again) and leave you – with out a phone or a TV. This time I was there for at least an hour before they knocked me out. Next time, leave me downstairs with my phone and cable TV.

And I’m sure if I asked about the chemo port details I would have known all of this. It goes in above your chest. I asked for mine to go on the left side – thought it would be better golf swing wise since you wear this thing for a year. What I didn’t know is that they also go in through your neck to install your port, and you get this extra scar/incision (for those who know me, I only need as much information as I need to know I am doing the right thing – definitely not all of the details). Tony gets me out of post op and we go home.

In the meantime, I’ve been researching cold capping to try and save my hair. There’s one company in Dallas, Chemo Coldcaps Website. Healthcare may pay for it. But, you have to submit claims to healthcare on your own – with codes. Texas Oncology digs up the codes (as of April 19, I haven’t called the insurance company about the claim). It’s $350 per month. And cold capping is a deal. A time-consuming deal. That doesn’t guarantee anything. I read about 20-50% hair loss (and latched on to the 20% number). We call. We talk. We watch the video on cold capping. And decide to go for it. And schedule our pickup the day before chemo – along with picking up 80 pounds (yes, 80 pounds) of dry ice. The Emergency Ice (website here) place gives a great discount of around $27 for the 80 pounds (as opposed to closer to $70 at other places). Dry ice is NOT covered by health insurance.

Next will be first day of chemo – and with first day of chemo, there are labs, doctor’s visit with Dr. Nair, and then chemo. Tony also has to load up and pack the cold cap cooler for the day.