Well, D-day has arrived! After a disturbed nights sleep (didn't expect much sleep) went into hospital for the first of my chemo treatments. My children had a fund-raising day at school dressing in 60's costumes - so my boys dressed as a hippy and the momma from Hairspray - complete with my girly glitzy top, balloons for boobs, make-up and jewellery!! Laughed all the way to and during the treatment session at the hospital, in fact this did a great deal of keeping my mind positive and focused during what could have otherwise been a very difficult time. Was escorted to a room and the nurses filled in the relevant paperwork. I was given a bowl of warm water to put my hands in to encourage the veins to dilate for easier cannulation. When the nurse came in with a tray of needles and drugs I glanced at Ian asking whether it was time he got some breakfast - as I was aware he was none too keen of any procedures involving needles he took this quick exit quite literally - wusse! After the first cannulae was unsuccessful I then too began to fee like a complete wusse as I needed to lie semi-reclined in the chair and be distracted to site the cannulae - which was successful almost immediately!!
I was given a steriod infusion to prevent any nausea, inflammation or other unwanted side-effects. Then whilst the chemo drugs were being delivered other paperwork and information was completed by the nurse and student. It was at this point a different oncologist came into the room whom I had not previously met. To say he was completely on my side as to how badly I had been treated was an understatement - in particular as he thought that a situation was "bollocks" and he had highlighted my case to the Chief Executive of the hospital. I think I might just like this new professional who had been bought on-board!! After all the chemo drugs had been given (took in total around 2 hours) I was free to go home. Have only had a few slight readctions to these drugs - pink wee (which was immediate!), slight drawing sensation around the cheekbones, metallic taste and now a bearable headache. Apart from that I feel completely fine - would love to enjoy the sunshine of the day but the drugs can make the skin photosensitive so no direct sunlight. I have to say that Ian and myself have felt this experience has been extremely positive for both of us - and we feel this was mainly due to the staff who are experts at making you feel at ease, comfortable, involving Ian in any procedures he wanted to be involved in (not including the needles bit, of course!) and had us rolling up in laughter to the point where I had a tear from laughing so much.
So, 4 hours after the drugs have been given I don't feel so bad at all. I still thank my lovley husband for being so very caring and attentive - I've still yet to get that bell I've threatened him with for my every beckon call!!! I am also aware these side effects will slowly but surely take on more effect and by day 5-7 things won't be as great but I have a whole host of medicines the nurses gave me to combat this. Unfortunately nothing will be able to combat the very low immune system and hair loss/fatigue but I have accepted this to be an overall part of the treatment. So, hoping things don't go downhill too rapidly, here's to a unexpected and great start to this chemo.
Well done you! Something you may want to 'investigate' - I read that eating an ice lolly during chemo can really help dampen down the cheek/sinus discomfort! Worth a try? Sorry it couldn't have been chocolate but sure you'll find time to munch on that too! See you soon. Love to Ian and the boys.
ReplyDeleteHey Sian,
ReplyDeleteSo good to hear ur 1st day was as positive as it possibly could be, was thinking of u. So funny about ur boys! bet that was hilarious, keeping my fingers crossed for as few side effects as possible for u, loads of love Toni xxxx
A good start and then, well...
ReplyDeleteSo, the first chemo session is over and it ha snow been a couple of days since it was given. Everything started well, no reaction from Sian while it was being administered and no recation from me when the needle went in (but that was because I left the treatment centre to get a bacon roll while that bit was done).
When I came back, Sian seemed quite comfortable in the armchair, all hooked up to a drip and watching Chav TV, sorry, The Jeremy Kyle Show - if Sian is going to have to sit and watch that whil she is off, I can think of no better incentive to recover!
Thorughouth the treatmemt, the nursing staff were fantastic with so much entertaining banter going on between them it made the morning pass easily. I don't know if Sian being a nurse allowed them to be a bit more free with the joking around, if it did, then good.
After getting home, Sian still felt good, and was in high spirits (huely entertained by pink wee for soeme reason) and not showing any signs of side effects. Unfortunately, that wasn't to last.
By the evening, Sian had started feeling a bit nauseaous and tired but nothing unmanageable. However, by Saturday morning, the nausea seemed to have set in properly.
Sian does have a couple of anti-sickness drugs but these don't appear to be too effective. The tiredness is also proving to be a significant side effect. Consequently, this weekend has seen Sian pretty much sleeping in between bouts of feeling very rough.
It's very hard for me to watch Sian going through this, knowing that there is little I can do except make the one thing that Sian is finding that at least slightly helps the nausea - a drink made simply with boiling water, sugar and chopped root ginger. Otherwise, all I can do is keep the house running and make sure all the essentials are done.
I know the one thing I must not do is wrap Sian up in cotton wool too much. It is such an automatic thing to do to tell Sian to sit down and rest and leave everything to me - this would be the wrong thing to do though - I don't think it would do Sian any good for me to take over completely, she will need to do what she is able to do, even if it just for her own sanity.
So, this is the start of what seems like what is going to be a tough 5 months or so. And the reward for getting through that? Surgery followed by more drug treatments for up to five years. This cancer lark is certainly not going to be a walk in the park.
Oh, and for those of you wanting to know the answer to the big question I posed in my last update, Barnet drew!