AFTER my meeting with Devika, I obtained my chemo schedule from my Oncologist. My chemo
schedule was calculated based on my body mass index.

My chemo schedule consisted of four cycles or rounds of Adriamycin Cytoxan ( a/c) and four
cycles/rounds of Taxol,along with a pre nausea injection and a small dose of steroids. The
steroids are used in conjunction with the chemo to treat the cancer as well as relieve sickness
after chemo and boost the appetite.

I met with a pleasant doctor at the Oncology Unit of the GPHC who discussed my treatment as
outlined by my referral. It was not likely that the chemo may not successfully treat the cancer. I
understood this. From my research I learned that at least five years need to be given after
chemo to monitor whether the cancer returns or goes into remission.

We also discussed fertility, something I was not prepared to think about as I had never been
desirous of having children before. If it were a coin toss I knew now which side I wanted the coin
to land on. Unfortunately,chemo can cause infertility; my Doctor explained I would not be able to
try to conceive until at least five years after my treatment since chemo drugs can cause birth
defects. Oh boy, so the cure is also the poison!

I was asked why I opted to do treatment at the GPHC when I had done everything else
privately; I mentioned my meeting with Devika as well as the fact that treatment is free to which
my doctor replied “So you want to take advantage of the Public Hospital and the Ministry of
Health?” “Of course, why shouldn’t I? That’s why I pay taxes. I think it’s time my tax money
benefits me directly”, I responded, ready for a heated discussion but I looked up and saw a twinkle
in the doctor’s eyes; immediately we established a rapport. The GPHC has the best doctors
who work under stressful and strenuous circumstances. However,I still worried about the nurses
who would interact with me though.

My date had been set. After what seemed like lifetimes of standing still, everything finally sped
up.

My first treatment started at 7:30 am. Not being a breakfast person (yeah, yeah I know, it’s the
most important meal) I had a cup of coffee and nibbled on a sandwich. When I got to the
Oncology Unit, I was taken into the chemotheraphy treatment room -–a reasonably-sized area with
about twelve comfortable reclining chairs. Nurse Benny took my pressure while Nurse Griffith
prepared the cocktail of drugs for each patient there. There was no doubt that these Nurses
were different to the others I had encountered in the other clinics before– were they trained
differently? Whatever it was I was thankful to be in kind hands. I was as nervous but there was
no need to worry, Nurse Benny as gently as she probably could successfully set a line in my left
hand on the first attempt. All IVs, injections and blood work are only done on my left hand;since
my surgery was on the right side it was advised that these procedures should all be carried out
on the opposite side– I suspect it puts less pressure on an area that is healing.

I was given everything as per my chemo schedule. There were two bags on my drip stand, one
was saline and the other was a red liquid- the a/c or ‘red devil’ as it’s known among chemo
patients because of its nasty side effects. I laid in the recliner and watched as the kool aid
coloured liquid flowed into my iv tube.Within the first ten minutes I developed a metallic taste in
my mouth, this got worse — I didn’t want to throw up but I also didn’t want to close my mouth.
The husband of one of the patients shared mints to everyone- there were about seven of us
there, me being the youngest.
The mint helped with the taste in my mouth, I made about three trips to the toilet- it makes you urine a lot. The people I shared my first chemo session with were jovial and pleasant, the nurses also kept us upbeat by cracking jokes as they checked on the progress of our bags.

My first session lasted three hours, I returned home a little tired but not upset or sick. I had soup
and relaxed waiting for the sickness to start. Three hours later I started to develop a headache
and by evening I felt very tired. I drifted off to sleep totally unaware of what the morning would
bring.

Next week: The week after chemo and all its side effects.