Whoops - I did it again!!!

Hi Everyone!

Aren't you glad that our heat wave has gone and back to our normal summer weather? I know I am!!!

My IV Tech - hiding behind her mask - she was great

Waiting for the alcohol to dry

Putting in the iv - it really doesn't hurt!

Just doing the saline flush

Another chemo day!! Went to the ambulatory day care to get my paperwork and ID bracelet – I am not in the system – seems the gal that booked me previously did it wrong and assumed that I was going to the regular lab. But Megan was there and she knows me, so she got the paperwork faxed and sent me over to Medical Day Care. There are more pictures of that today – as never took the camera before and no one came with me!!! So it shows the room where it is done – part office, part supply room, part procedure room! Once they move into the new building will be much nicer!

Putting in the clotting agent - twice this time!

Well, I managed to do it again this week! Yup – another reaction – and yes, the same one and almost at the same time as last weeks!! Leslie was my nurse today along with Erin who is brand new. We had discussed some of what has been happening to me over the last week – ie the side effects. And with some of them, to take meds earlier rather than later – which does make sense. They were quite concerned over the ringing in the ears, which is a major one – I had some but nothing to worry about but had had blocked ears. Leslie said that if I was to get the ringing big time, they might have to change the drugs that I am on – but it a wait and see basis!

Tina came with me today – former co-worker and good friend. We had a lot of fun with all of the nurses – and I am meaning ALL – they all come at one point at the same time – ok, they were laughing!!! And I know she was not bored at all!

They started with the Gemcitabine – which takes about 30 minutes to go though the IV – in theory! Leslie would walk by me and check to ensure that nothing was happening. I was chatting with a new patient and her daughter as well as Tina.

When Tina mentions that my eye looks a little puffy… oh great, not again! And it appeared as quickly as last week. And it was getting itchy. Leslie happened to look and came right over, and shut off the medication and instantly put in the benadryl. She then called Dr P and he laughed – was so funny… she told him I had been waiting for him since last week and I was hungry and cranky from the long wait!!! He then told her to give me the hydrocortisone via the IV. That takes a bit to make up and then she connected me. We had a very good laugh – every single nurse came over – you aren’t supposed to get this type of reaction and not two weeks in a row and not at the almost same time!!! My file now has two HOT pink stickers on the cover and in the file – allergic reactions. From now on, will have the pre-meds done before the chemo starts!!

Once the bag was empty and she let me sit for a bit, then Leslie started up the medication and it finished – and then did the Cisplatin – which is a more powerful and strong drug – and it does nothing!!

By the time all was done and finished, it was almost 6 by the time we got out of there – and we headed to Central City Pub for a pint and some dinner and just a good chat!!

Next appointments are Monday August 10 at 8am – Surrey Memorial Hospital for the liver ultrasound. August 18 at 9:00 – Dr. Pansegrau. August 20 – Medical Day Care and Cancer Clinic – blood work and chemo. August 27 - Medical Day Care and Cancer Clinic – blood work and chemo. Times to be determined.

Leslie and Erin