Chemo Day 1

Just wanted to let you know that Lauri completed her first day of chemotherapy treatment today. She received a LOT of medication, over 1 liter of IV fluid administered over a period of 5-6 hours! (Note: that's 0.264 gallons for you non-metric types. Pardon me as I adjust my pocket protector...). Lauri is feeling pretty good, only a little lightheaded and a little weak. We go back for another round tomorrow, as well as Wednesday and Thursday. She gets an injection of a drug called Neulasta on Friday, which is supposed to cause the body to increase production of white blood cells, thereby increasing her white blood cell count.

For the medical folks out there, and for those of you that are interested, Lauri received Dexamethasone, Ondansetron, and Albumin via Lauri's CVC before receiving the first chemo drug, Ifosfamide. Dexamethasone is a steroid, while Ondansetron is the generic name for Zofran, which is supposed to handle the nausea side effects of the Ifosfamide. Albumin is a volume expander, which draws the water weight out of the body that is incurred as a result of the steroid (Dexamethasone). The Ifosfamide was given via CVC over a period of three hours. This was followed by Dexrazoxane, a generic name for Zinicard, which is a drug to protect the heart from the Adriamycin chemo drug. After the Dexrazoxane, the Adriamycin was given over 15 minutes. Somewhere along this maze of drugs, IV bags, and tubes, Lauri was hooked up to a pump that will provide her with a drug called Mesna over the next five days. Mesna is given to prevent kidney damage as a result of the Ifosfamide. Lauri also received a shot of Lupron, which will send her ovaries into "dormant" mode in an effort to protect them from the chemotherapy. The amount of Lupron Lauri received should keep the ovaries in dormant mode for about 3 months.

First day done, on to the next! Lauri is feeling good, looking good, and might be motivated to return for another treatment tomorrow. At least that's what I will be trying to do tomorrow morning! Keep smiling, we are on our way...