2025 – A Summer and Fall of Surprises – God has a Plan and Purpose for Our Lives – Part IX

First doses of chemo happened last Friday, 12/6!  Arrived at the infusion center at 10:00 AM, and with all the delays and infusion time, we left around 3:45 PM. It wasn’t the nightmare I had expected, and instead it was a well-choreographed experience, where they encouraged you to bring a snack, relax, read a book in comfortable recliners. I couldn’t read anything, as I was laser focused on each step of the procedure, expecting to feel strange during the infusions, and to the contrary I felt rather comfortable. I never imagined eating anything, although I devoured a chicken salad croissant from the sandwich shop Carolina Hills right up the street on Georgia Avenue in North Augusta. I return for second infusion on Monday, December 29th.

Chemo included Oxaliplatin, which took two hours to infuse, followed by Keytruda, a form of immunotherapy, which took 30 minutes. Some take home drugs inducted a batch of Capecitabine 500mg tablets, three in the morning and three in the evening with food for 14 days. I can’t touch the pills, so I have wear gloves to pick up and put them in my mouth, where it was okay to touch the tongue.

On my way home after chemo, I noticed my fingers had a burning sensation when I touched the car door handle, and I couldn’t drink anything that was not warm or room temperature. I was told Oxaliplatin made you cold sensitive for a few days. I have some old utility gloves which I wore even when in the refrigerator. I must wear shoes in the house to protect my feet from cold sensitivity. It’s December – cold weather is the order of the day, mostly! 

Since the chemo, my back pain went away, particularly around the kidney, which I put at an 8-10 when asked before my chemo. I asked if Oxaliplatin could bring about an immediate effect on back pain, the RN responded maybe “yes” and maybe “no”. I looked this up online, and the research showed not likely. Since then, I attribute the pain relief so far to the massive prayers which have been lifted up to Jesus, no doubt!

As I am waking up Sunday morning, the aches and pains have returned, except around the kidney. I am taking nausea medication. Perhaps I aggravated things when I bowled a game at my grandson Ayden’s 13th birthday Saturday afternoon. I did well, although the day after chemo, this perhaps was taking things too far. Appetite was lacking for dinner last evening. The journey continues…  

Blessings!

Joe