Step 1:
Get my blood drawn by May to make sure that my blood count is high enough to get chemo in the first place.
The analysis takes about 20 minutes.

Step 2:
Find a seat in "The Garden Room" and get ready for some fun!

Initially, they make sure the catheter in my chest is working by pushing in some saline (it feels cold in my chest) and then pulling the plunger out to make sure they get a blood return.

They then inject anti-nausea medication to start fighting the side effects that are sure to come.

On some weeks I have to take a few pills to fight other side effects.

Step 3:

Then the chemo injections begin. For me, a chemo injection is either a bag of toxic liquid dripped slowly into my catheter (30-60 min) or a "push" into an entry-way in the catheter (about a minute).

I usually get between 2 and 4 chemo injections each week.

Step 4:

Once the chemo is in, they give me a saline flush (small bag of saline) and then clear out my catheter with a bit more saline.

Step 5:

I usually get the dressing around my catheter changed during chemo to keep things as clean as possible.

Step 6:

Finally, I get a shot of Procrit, a drug that helps boost my red blood cells. Patients usually hold the shot in their hand for a few minutes to warm up the drug, which is refrigerated beforehand. When the drug is cold, it may burn during injection.

Step 7:

Once everything has been put inside me, I head home and spend the evening resting, awaiting the side effects to hit me.

Each week has been different. Sometimes I get fevers, sometimes I just feel lousy. I always feel something, but it doesn't always make me down and out.

I usually feel the main ickyness within 2 days after getting chemo. By day 3, I'm usually feeling pretty good.

I then get some work done and have some fun, knowing that my next treatment is just around the corner.