Round 2 ' Chemo, or, The closest to code blue i've been...

Monday afternoon, at the start of my third and final chemo for the day. within 5 minutes, I'd turned a florid shade of red, felt my insides on fire, and I could not breathe, not one bit. I was willing myself to stay calm and using every yoga trick in the book, but it wasn't happening. I pressed for the nurse, but luckily my friend was here and raced to the nursing station, screaming for help. Within 30 seconds my room was full of 15 nurses and doctors. The first nurse in the room shut off the chemo and I immediately felt a little better. She held my hand, my friend held the other, and I tried to breathe until I got it right. It was the scariest thing I've experienced. Apparently it's possible to have a deathly allergic reaction to a medicine that I safely took 5 days in a row during my first round 'treatment.
They gave me a few hours break (and tons of hydration), than tried it again, this time doubling the length of time from 1 to 2 hours to infuse the medicine. It's been working, but each time they give it to me, I get really scared until the first 15 minutes (after which there's rarely an allergic reaction) runs it's course.

My parents have been here all week, which is helpful, as so many folks have colds right now, and I haven't felt so great, seeing how my week began, so it's just been comforting.

Nausea has been crappy since last night, but I squeeze in food when I can. I have already gained almost 10 pounds from all the hydration they're giving me! It's this crazy hospital thing, pumping me full of liquid, hydrocortisone, and steroids, to help the chemo work better,and to help me better deal w/ the chemo. I will lose it once I lose the hospital, but it's all still odd and mildly fascinating to me. water weight! i read about that in stupid fashion magazines.

I take walks before and after chemo. Friends are good company for that. I have a little shower in my room, and I decorated w/ my favorite cards, photographs, milagros, gifts that people give me to keep my head up. last night Shannon A. brought me a gorgeous day of the dead banner w/ Frida all over, so my room is quite festive. My mom gave me halloween socks. I demanded that my nurse compliment them. I am still pesky despite everything, which pleases me. but seriously I can't wait til friday afternoon when I can leave.