At any rate, the day you receive chemo is known as Day 0. I received a shot on Day 1 (24 hours post chemo) to help boost my white cell counts. We started our journey back to our home city the same afternoon. While I felt a bit queasy, there was nothing to difficult to deal with (other than greatly reduced appetite).
Day 2 was a bit more challenging. Brushing my teeth triggered a gag reflex and I vomited a bit before leaving for the airport. I tried to eat a cracker, but that too, caused vomiting. I immediately took the anti-nausea meds that were given to me. Fortunately, they were quick acting and quite effective . . . no more vomiting.
The most noticeable and most irritating side effect for me has been an increased sense of smell. I'm not one who typically has a strong sense of smell, so for me to now be smelling everything to a high degree is quite troubling. The food on the airplane (fish pasta!) was quite challenging! I had my face mask on, so I literally just reached up and plugged my nose while people were eating.
The three hour flight was quite uneventful and the ride home from the airport was equally uneventful. I ate a package of crackers then and it stayed down. I wasn't able to eat much for dinner, but I did manage some chicken and green beans.
Day 3 was much easier! While I was still a bit queasy, I was able to twice as much as the day before. I did take a nap, but overall, felt "okay."
Day 4 was even better! I did some housework and made it through the day without a nap. I cooked for my family for the first time in a month and we all felt like it was a homecoming.
Day 5 has been great! The smell factor is still quite irritating, but hopefully, I'll adjust to that as time goes on. I can literally smell the meds coming from my pores! No one else can, but I am certainly aware of them.
In two days, I will get my blood counts checked, so we can be aware of how low they will go. We're hoping the hospital folks don't "freak out" over the low numbers. Art will let them know the situation ahead of time.