First Infusion
In preparation for this first infusion, I focused on calm and relaxation, positive self-talk, and so forth to ease anticipated side effects: breathing problems, mouth sores, nausea, vomiting, etc. I brought a tote bag with a change of clothing, a squishy ball, an iPad loaded with books on audible, a large mug of ice chips to prevent mouth sores, and a lap quilt. The Datroway infusion protocol was new to my oncology nurse, and per the protocol she was careful to discuss each medication in the process prior to administering it. In my current state, I may not have heard the word "Benadryl". The fact that Van was there, saved me from inattention to this detail, which could have been .... well, very bad. In 2007, I had a significant adverse reaction to Benadryl during chemotherapy and since then avoided all antihistamines out of precaution. Realizing she had forgotten my Benadryl allergy disconcerted the oncology nurse, and she was unable to determine if another antihistamine co...