To combat the holes in my bones from the cancer, I have a new drug regimen. I’m on Reclast, which I will receive quarterly. I had my first treatment last week.
It was painful. Not the infusion itself, but the aftereffects. I experienced growing pains all over again, writ way large. Luckily, I had the following day off from work as well.
The process of the infusion itself was interesting. I was expecting to receive it in the chemo room, but when I got to the hospital, they directed me to a much cushier suite of private rooms on the second floor. I had a very comfy chair and a TV, as well as a nurse named Ro who was very friendly and professional.
I couldn’t help but remember chemo and the time period around it. Even smells remind me of the months of chemo treatment. At the time, we had cherry blossom-scented soap in our bathroom, and whenever Ryan would give me Neulasta shots he’d wash his hands with the soap. If I smell the scent of cherry blossoms on someone now, I can feel my stubbly scalp in my hands and feel the needle in my belly.
I am also on a new estrogen blocking drug, called anastrozole. I’ve had a couple of queasy days on it. My doctor also prescribed an anti-nausea medication. The nausea wouldn’t be a big issue if I didn’t have to work. I dread being sick at work.
My biggest fear going into this second round was that it would render me incapable of pulling my weight at my job. So far, everyone has been supportive.
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