I had my first of six chemotherapy treatments yesterday. One down and five to go (ok but you might be rubbish at math`s!). I am just beginning to get a glimpse of how things may not always run smoothly in an incredibly busy ward like the one I visit. For example, when I arrived my nurse said, “so you had your steroids yesterday and this morning right?” I said, “what steroids?” I noted an incredulous expression on his face as he repeated, “you weren`t given your steroids yesterday.” It was a statement, not a question. “Well, that’s no problem,” he said sighing quietly, “we can give them to you now…..”
I was at the hospital about two hours as first they flushed the steroids through and then the chemo. To me it seemed very innocuous. I didn`t experience anything untoward other than the site where the medicine goes in through the canula in the vein in my hand, it feels really cold. I read a magazine, had a doze, played upsy – downsy with my electric chair until I got told off. I talked to the lady next to me about alternative treatments, gin and tonic being the favoured one. I ate a hospital provided lunch (cheese and tomato, or tuna sandwiches, strawberry jelly and cake with tea or coffee) and piled high with various anti-sickness pills, a self-administered injection to encourage my body to make lots of white platelets, anti – indigestion tablets to be taken over the next few days I drove home. I felt good, I felt happy to be here on earth, I felt joyous after a wait that seemed ages to me, at last I`m doing something.
When I got home I took Alfie out for a drizzly walk down by the canal and met a few other dog walkers and some nice dogs. Went home, pretended to fall down with anaphylactic shock for Binman, oh how we laughed! For tea I ate two slices of ciabatta with what I thought were olives. Turned out to be jalapeno and they were so delicious I ate them anyways, slathered in butter. Helpful hint number one: do not eat jalapeno following chemotherapy, repeat – DO NOT etc etc…..
Woke up at half past midnight with rather alarming stomach cramps but to be expected and nothing that a nice cuppa (caffeine is good for cramps) and a visit to the fleur de loo cannot sort out. So all in all, not a hugely horrible experience, nothing at all like I was expecting so if you are about to embark on this treatment or need it at any time up ahead then rest assured, there`s nothing to be gained by worry, honestly, worry ye not! I`m treating it like a massive journey of life transformation for the better, one day at a time sweet Jesus. I haven`t had a fag, I haven`t had any alcohol since last weekend and I am slowly losing weight which is good, because I was four stone too heavy and that`s the alcohol let me tell you! GOODBYE FOUL LIQUID!
And jog on banana.
Love your outlook on life, I really did enjoy reading this, brave brave brave lady good luck xx
Thank you and it”s all true. You make me feel better just by knowing some person who doesn’t even know me, cares. Spread the word and the word is LOVE. Xx
You are an amazing woman! It takes courage to find a way to may something so positive out of something scary! I think your attitude is much more likely to help you heal than one in which armies go marching through your body. I do so hope you continue to write and keep us posted. I just found your blog 5 minutes ago. You and your mum sound like fantastic women. I am so happy she gave you the gift of positivity. I love the whole banana idea. I love your spunk. You will be in my heart and prayers. I will be watching for updates. I will be sending warm and fluffy hugs your way every day.
As i was telling my son the other day, being brave/courageous doesn’t mean you don’t feel fear. It means you are willing to tackle that fear head on. If i ever get banana, i can only hope to handle it as wonderfully as you are.
Thank you so very much for sharing the light of your spirit with us.
Hugs,
Leah
Hello Leah and thank you so much for your lovely words. I feel incredibly valued and loved, please keep the hugs a-coming my way! xxx