Hi everyone, thank you for clicking to read my blog.
Today was my first Chemotherapy session. Anthony took me to Ward 7 and we waited for me to be seen to at 9.30am.
It was a long day. First we waited for Helen Johnson the nurse specialist/macmillan nurse, to come and talk through the consent form and with this she reminded me about the side effects to the ABVD. Even though I had talked about these at home to friends, family and on my blog - it was real now and this was going to be happening.
More waiting now - after being shown through to the day unit. About 8 - 10 soft comfy reclining chairs and a bed at the back of the room. I would be given the treatment laid down on the bed for my first session so they could keep an eye on my reaction to the drugs.
Looking around the room there were about 6 other people in. Majority men, two older gentlemen, one prob my age and one younger. Not all patients in the day case unit are being treated for cancer. Some have blood conditions, e.g. sickle cell.
It was about 11.45 when I finally started treatment. It was slightly different to how I imagined it. I thought it would be given all in one big 'thing', but the drugs are all given from seperate syringes and the nurse, Sally - sat with me for the 30 mins it took to give all the drugs.
First Sally had to find a vein. She started in my right arm and was looking for a vein on my wrist - as they need to have an inch on straight vein for the needle and cannula to fit and work effectively. As you know I am a wuss. It hurt more on the wrist than on the back of the hand! I didnt know I had it good before did I!
The veins on my right wrist were closed and hard to find - Sally explained she had been trained to find them well and when you find a good one it's like a squidgy earth worm.Yum.
No success with the right arm so she tried the left. It took two attempts on the left but she found one eventually but it was right on my wrist bone and reeeeally hurt when the needle went in. YoW! Once it was in that was that.
Starting the treatment began with saline, two lots I think? I was trying to not think about it! Then some anti-sickness through the syringes. Then 3 different syringes and a drip. One of the syringes was really big and the drug was red coloured. This was the one that would turn the colour of my urine red for the first couple of trips to the loo. It did and freaked me out a little when I noticed it, I forgot she'd told me that bit. Lots of info to retain..
About 12.15 my treatment was all in my system and now I had to simply wait and let it all run around my body. Anthony went home for some lunch and to see Zig. At the same time my lunch arrived. A simple sandwich, cake and a coffee. I was so hungry it was delicious.
Anthony arrived back and he sat with me again. I hadn't been in the best of moods earlier in the morning as there was a lot of waiting around - more than I had expected...and it had made me twitchy. So I had been a bit snappy and grumpy and my positiveness had subsided. I was saying things like I didn't want to do it, I can't do it. Why do I have to do it. Meh.When Anthony walked back into the day unit and saw his face I felt bad. I smiled a sorry smile and he smiled back.
I guess that's how it goes when it's like this. Of course he was very understanding and cracked a joke and he reminded me of all the support I have and what I need to focus on.
About 2.30 I had enough of reading, DS and clock watching and I gave in and cuddled up with Hope (my build a bear lamb - she's perfect to snuggle up to!) and covered myself with one of my pashminas and went to sleep. I must have looked funny, I had my sunglasses on too - the lights we so bright in there! I'm sensitive to lights - especially strip lighting like that. Occasionally I'd stir and wake up to the intermittent sound of people's drips bleeping.
3.15 - I was free to go! It had been such a long day, but I had finished for today. Hurray. One step closer to being well eh!
I was then greeted with a green carrier bag, full of tablets to be taking. I was quite shocked at how many!
The Movicol sachets are to help with constipation and the Lanzaprozole (already take for IBS)
The other boxes are anti-sickness drugs, steriods to take which stop my kidneys from failing. I have forgotten what the other round jar of tablets are..! So hard to remember how to take everything when and when and when! So have had to write things down so I can remember when and what I am doing. I'm gonna be rattling!
When I got home it was really nice to find two cards in the post. One from my Grandma and one from Amparo - thank you so much xx
As far as the after effects go I started to feel sick, sleepy and hot, about 7pm after my tea.
I started this blog entry about 8.15 and now it's 10pm as I have had to take little breaks as I type.
Having said that - typing all this has taken my mind of the sickness and I'm not focusing on it as much! Bonus! Love my blog! xx
(You'd laugh if you could see me with a cold damp face cloth balanced on my forehead!)
My next Chemo is April 28th, exactly two weeks today.
I'm expecting to feel crappy for the next few days and into next week, but hope it will ease just after that. Right in time for my next session which is how mean Chemo can be.. but remembering the hurdle I have jumped today.
Please keep your messages coming, xxx They really DO help me keep going xxx Speak tomoz :)
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