When I went to my oncologist appointment on Wednesday, I mentioned my concerns about infections to him. The good news is that I have managed to keep my weight somewhat stable since June. The reality is I had gained weight while on holidays (lots of restaurant eating) and have managed to lose most of it. My blood levels seem to be good. Due to my concerns about infections, the doctor is having another blood test done on blood that was taken just before my rituxan treatment on Thursday. After my appointment on Wednesday, I really enjoyed seeing some of my co-workers and my manager from my job in the Tuck Shop at the hospital. Before I worked at the hospital, it had the association of chemotherapy treatments and negative feelings. Now, I look forward to seeing the people that I have worked with and also other employees in the hospital that I used to always greet with a smile. They still remember me! It warms my heart.
My rituxan maintenance treatment was on Thursday. Thursday morning, I had a wonderful time with a friend of mine who I play music with. We made some music (and some mistakes) and shared laughter and friendship. Due to my eyes, we weren't able to play for the full hour so we then continued to share our friendship over a cup of tea. Before I knew it, it was time for me to leave. The morning went so quickly! I drove home, had some lunch and then caught the bus to the hospital. I deliberately arrived early because I wanted to visit with more co-workers and also drop in on the stem cell unit. I went up to Kidd 4 where I always went for my stem cell appointments. What a shock and surprise to see the office completely cleared out. They have obviously moved to somewhere else in the hospital. Eventually, I found out they were up on Kidd 9. The elevators were very busy and I knew that I would make it up to Kidd 9 quicker by taking the stairs. Well.....I was reminded that I'm still not in the best shape. I was huffing and puffing by the time I reached Kidd 7. Two more flights of stairs to go!!! I was glad there was no one else around as I sucked air greedily. I bent over to catch my breath. I considered sitting down on the steps to rest but realized that I might have trouble getting back up and going. So after a brief respite, I continued on. By the time I reached the stem cell unit, I truly was in need of a chair. Despite my breathlessness, the nurses were really pleased with how I looked. I'm looking very healthy. Of course, I do have rosy cheeks, but my face might have been a little more ruddy and red due to the climb up the steps. I had a lovely visit with the nurses. They were in awe of how much hair I have and how curly it is. Truthfully, it is in need of a trim. That will take place next week....at the hospital hair salon. After my visit in the stem cell unit, I purposely looked for one of my co-workers that I haven't seen in a long time. I found her. We had a brief visit as my chemo lab appointment was coming up quickly. Off I went in my usual brisk walk over to the Cancer Centre.
My appointment was for 2:00. I arrived slightly before as I needed to register at the front desk first. I had the same lady handle my registration as I did on Wednesday when I registered for my doctor's appointment. I then made my way up to the chemo lab. In 2012, I used to have anxiety when I went for chemo appointments. Even as recently as last year, I can remember being in the midst of chemo treatments and having anxiety and feeling ill while waiting for my appointment. On Thursday, it was just like a routine doctor's visit. When the nurse called my name, I looked up and didn't recognize her. She recognized me though. Because on Wednesday, blood had been taking out of my right arm, the nurse wanted to insert the IV into my left arm. She wasn't pleased about the choices of veins, so she saw a vein on the inside of my wrist that she thought might work. As she inserted the needle, I felt it sting like never before. I mentioned it to her and she thought everything was fine. She took the blood needed for the blood test and then went to flush the site. The pain was very uncomfortable. I have had many flushes in the last year and it has never hurt like that. I mentioned again that it was very sore. The nurse just thought I was extra sensitive.....until she looked at the site. It was swelling and already bruised looking. The flush was not going into the vein! She took the IV out and decided to go for the vein on the top of my left hand. This worked better. My treatment took 2 1/2 hours to complete which took me to 4:30 p.m. The nurse was finished her shift at 4:00 p.m. She packed up her stuff and went. The "late shift" nurse took over. I have had her work with me before. I do remember her. When she came to take out my IV at the end of my treatment, she also took off the covering over the original site on the inside of my wrist. It was very swollen, red and purple. She was concerned. She suggested that perhaps I should keep my ID bracelet on in case I need to make an emergency visit....in case I get phlebitis or cellulitis. I've had both in the past. I had phlebitis when my son was born by C-section 24 years ago. I had cellulitis last August in my chemo treatment cycle. So I'm spending my weekend keeping a close eye on that left wrist.
After my chemo appointment on Thursday, a very good friend came down to the Cancer Centre to drive me home. The benadryl that is always given to me before the treatment had put me into a very tired mode. Thursday night, I was in bed by 8:00. Hubby tucked me in and told me on Friday morning that I wasn't making much sense when I went to bed Thursday night. Yesterday, I did 2 loads of laundry and picked some more tomatoes. That was enough. My wrist was swelling up. I wanted to play piano but again, the wrist was not up to the activity. Last night, it was aching enough to keep me awake. This morning, I am fighting a headache which is a side effect of the rituxan. I'm also feeling weary. I've done a load of laundry early this morning and hung it outside. These were clothes and blankets from our little campfire last Saturday. I needed to get them washed to get rid of the campfire smoke smell. I really like seeing my wash hang on the line. For some reason, it gives me great satisfaction to hang it up and then watch it sway in the breeze. Although today, there is not that much of a breeze. If the wash doesn't dry completely by the end of the day, I'll throw it in the dryer.
I was hoping to cut the grass today too but I seem to have run out of energy. I will be taking some tylenol to fight the headache that is just there. It doesn't help that there is hammering and noise going on as we have a leak fixed in the roof. I haven't heard Hubby or the man who's working on the roof fall off. This is always my fear. So I'm having a fairly uneventful weekend. I'm hoping that I'll be able to go to church tomorrow. I like seeing the people in my church. It is like an extended family and I know they truly care about each other. I went last week and met our new minister for the first time. I really, really liked her sermon and her manner. It makes me want to go back. We'll see how I'm doing tomorrow.
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