Wednesday 8 July. Second Chemo session. Much like the first only I decide to follow the advice given to me by one of the first chemo nurses and get canulated before getting my blood taken. Big mistake. It takes them about an hour and a half to get around to putting the canula in and then I have to wait another 45 minutes for the blood test results etc. etc. So the time we thought this would save turns out to be a waste. During this time the pastoral care chap comes around and is sent away to find out when my canula and bloods are going to be done and to find the catering person so I can order lunch. I am not in the best of moods and he beats a hasty retreat. I am not sure his idea of pastoral care and mine are quite in alignment.
I opt to forgo the cold cap as my hair is dropping out in handfuls and I have already made an appointment to have it cut short the next day.
I do get to have a good chat with my oncologist as we discuss swine flu…avoid crowds but remember that the effect on my immune system is to depress my ability to fight bacteria and swine flu is a virus….good point. It is the complications of swine flu in terms of bacterial infection that would be a problem.
I raise the issue of the lightheaded effect and he suggests that this is a result of the anti sickness drugs rather than the chemo. As I am not getting sick after chemo he suggests cutting down on the anti sickness drugs. I like this.
I opt to forgo the cold cap as my hair is dropping out in handfuls and I have already made an appointment to have it cut short the next day.
I do get to have a good chat with my oncologist as we discuss swine flu…avoid crowds but remember that the effect on my immune system is to depress my ability to fight bacteria and swine flu is a virus….good point. It is the complications of swine flu in terms of bacterial infection that would be a problem.
I raise the issue of the lightheaded effect and he suggests that this is a result of the anti sickness drugs rather than the chemo. As I am not getting sick after chemo he suggests cutting down on the anti sickness drugs. I like this.
It is amazing how quickly things become ‘normal’ the IV is up and the chemo nurse starts the treatment. My lunch arrives closely followed by the oncology liaison nurse who had been on holiday the last time I came in. She gives me loads of leaflets about support groups etc…something I am not terribly interested in but she also says I am entitled to some free alternative therapy treatments and a nearby center. It turns out I can have reflexology, head massage, etc. I will follow this up if I can find the time.
All goes well and I collect my load of follow up drugs and my partner picks me up.
All goes well and I collect my load of follow up drugs and my partner picks me up.
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