Tick off another one

Second chemo yesterday. I had to get there 45 minutes early as I need to have anti-sickness an hour before treatment. Saw the doctor on time. My bloods which were taken the day before, were good to go ahead. She prescribed me more steroids to come home with. I get four to take today and tomorrow, I now have three for Monday and Tuesday and two for Wednesday. Looking forward to the weight gain and bloated round face – my son already calls me egg, that will change to ballI!

I need to check my mouth more often. Well when I saw more often, I need to actually look. As it’s so sore I brush my teeth after every meal and use prescribed mouthwash (which I’ve now have to dilute as it hurts) but chemo can cause oral thrush so I have meds in place just in case.

That bit all done we went through to the treatment area – lovely window view again and no ambulance blocking it! I had been resting my tea again on my arm whilst waiting but that wasn’t enough for my veins to come out so my arm was emerged in a bucket of hot water for a while. That seemed to do the trick and the vein which had come up like a puffer fish last time they tried to use it was behaving. As they have now used my only two veins, I have been referred to have a PICC line inserted before my next chemo. This is a wire that goes in a deeper vein just above my elbow, up my arm, round the top and sits above my heart. There’s a canuela that pokes out the other end which I’ll have to get flushed and dressing changed once a week. This will cause less stress for me (and probably them). I think bloods can be taken from that too. As I had lymph nodes removed I’m no longer allowed to use my right arm for blood tests, blood pressure, canuelas etc.

So canuela in, first a bag of saline then the A I think. This is 122mls of bright red, neat poison separated into three syringes. The nurse has to sit there and very slowly push each one through, at the same time the saline still flows. Each one takes around 10 minutes. Then a little more saline before swapping that for the C. It comes in a black bag covering it as it doesn’t like the light. By this time I am already getting a funny taste in my mouth and tapping my teeth as if I have a coke habit!

We leave the unit about four hours after arrive, me feeling very sleepy. Those fairies were jumping on my eye lids again. I couldn’t really hold a conversation with Rob, much to his relief! I felt like I’d been on the shots all afternoon without the giggles and naughtiness!

Straight home to bed, slept for an hour then woke with a craving for mash potato and gravy. I added Yorkshire puddings to my order and funnily enough, sausages. I don’t usually like sausages!

Poor night sleep, fuzzy head, rosy cheeks, seven trips to pee (nice pink pee) and of course Rob breathing all added to the lack of sleep.

Feel pretty much the same today as during the night but rest assured, I will take it easy. Laying in bed just waiting to hear the sound of the ironing board being put away – the sign that I can go back downstairs. He is the best ❤️️❤️️