Chemotherapy 1

The Adventure continues!

Yesterday was my first session of six chemotherapies. Each session is going to be separated by 3 week intervals (and this is if everything goes well).

Being my first one, I had to be in all day as they spaced things out and gave it to me slowly so that they can monitor everything and watch for any bad reactions. My day bag was packed with pre-loaded BBC programmes on the iplayer, the new Kingsgate worship album my sister had given me the day before was on my ipod. I also took a couple of books and a puzzler - as it turned out, this was way over ambitious and I was really only in the mood to watch TV and listen to music. At least I will know for next time.



Things didn't get off to a good start! A slight problem with my first cannula lead to a fainting spell so I had to wait for 30 minutes with legs up and a fan blowing before trying again. The second cannula went in ok, but then as soon as the saline came through - another fainting spell! After that they gave me some meds to calm me down. It was strange - in my head I was calm and fine with everything but obviously my body had other ideas! It was in no mood to listen to my brain, no matter how many times I tried to calm down. In the end I just ended up praying and that seemed to work.

It was at this point when one of the other patients ran into a problem and started screaming. She was experiencing back pain - a side effect of one of her medications. Various nurses and doctors came in and soon had her sorted. But this did not do too much to help calm me down, that's for sure!

So first of all they give you all sorts of medicines to prepare your body for the chemotherapy. Pre-emptive things to counteract side effects. Then a few hours later they begin the chemo. There are various types of chemo - I am having what is called R-CHOP. A combination of medicines designed to target and kill fast multiplying cells. The hope is this will shrink the tumors and bring then under control. No operations or cutting out lumps (which would be a bit tricky seeing as mine are all in the lymph system that runs throughout the body and is a vital part of the immune system). The Chemo medicines are light sensitive so they are hung up on the drip pole, covered by dark plastic bags. It does look rather strange. I also had to have some 'pushed' in at various intervals by syringe. One was bright red and this one makes your urine turn bright red too for a while! Quite amusing.

The rest of my treatment went without incident. It lasted 7 and 1/2 hours in total.

I was then sent home with 2 carrier bags full with medications to take, mostly pills but some self-injecting syringes too. I am having to work out a system to help me manage all  of them, the times of day they need to be taken along with whether they need to be taken before or after food.

The nurses and volunteers in the Macmillan Ward at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital are so friendly and kind. It really is a pleasure going there. You do feel you are in safe hands and that everyone has your best interests at heart. Frequent rounds of tea, coffee and biscuits are delivered to your chair and a choice of sandwiches at lunchtime.

Going home was a struggle! My body apparently does not cope well with moving vehicles after chemo. In the car on the way back I felt nauseous and sick and in the end I couldn't hold on any more. Lucking Mum had come prepared with a sick bag so things didn't get too messy. When we got home I was then able to take some anti-sickness pills that have helped to get the nausea under control.

I slept well last night and am not feeling too bad this morning.

Thank you all for your continued support and prayers during this time. I can't tell you how much it means to me.

#2miraclesinthemaking