Today was oncologist and bloods day. Mum (who arrived last night) enjoyed people watching in the waiting room, she in a high chair and me beside her in a low chair. There are chairs of differing heights in the oncology waiting room (most of them high) but because it was very busy today, the only 2 chairs next to each other were 1 high, 1 low. I was a little girl again with my mummy looking down at me - something that's not happened for a long time - quite a strange sight really! We sat and wig spotted and admired those that had gone commando.
After a while, I was called in to have my bloods taken. I told the phlebotomist about the badly behaved PICC line and that the best place for her to get blood out was in the back of my wrist. She didn't take any notice of that, but decided that there were some juicy veins in the back of my hand. I bowed to her experience and said no more. However, one sight of the needle and my vein ran for cover. OK, let's try another.....mmmmm.....no.........and another......yay! One vial later and this one decided enough was enough. Well it wasn't enough and we needed another vial filling! So the other phlebotomist tried in another vein. Slowly, slowly, it finally came out. By this time my hand was looking like it had erupted in cotton wool boils! One of the phlebotomists told me that she only ever need 2 attempts, at most, to get blood and that I was very odd. The other one said she enjoyed a challenge and I promised that I'd go back into the waiting room with my hand covered, so as not to frighten the next patients.
Another wait and more people watching (and listening) and we were finally called into the clinic. This time it was Dr Newman (my official consultant). I saw him when I was in my little room in hospital and it was he who decided I should have the injection after each chemo. I explained about the PICC line and the struggle to get blood from my hand. He thinks it would be better if I have a Hickman line fitted. This is where a line is inserted just below your collar bone into a large vein near the heart and comes out lower down the chest. The chemo team will sort this out, so I guess I just have to wait for an appointment. I'm sure we'll find out more on Friday. So I should enjoy having a shower (currently, with my arm sticking out of the shower - can't get the PiCC wet!) for now, as I'm sure I'll have to be even more innovative when the Hickman is in place! More drugs from pharmacy followed and more to come on Friday - mustn't forget.
Mum and I had lunch at a local garden centre before coming home, where Livi was waiting for Mum to help her bake cakes! She's participating in a fundraising event at college tomorrow. Livi and 2 friends are selling homemade cakes for the college's breast cancer campaign, so she enlisted the help of an expert!
Chris went to watch Vaughan in a school rugby match, where he scored a try and they won 56 - 0. They arrived home happy!
Adam is due to go and see a play about the Enron scandal at the theatre tomorrow evening.
Yesterday I went shopping with Susie B (thank you my sweetie!). The last time we did this was when our kids were at primary school! How time flies. We left after the nurse had been and flushed me and spent an enjoyable afternoon mooching round the shops. Yes, I got my lippy! Actually I got 2. Didn't get Dior (not very long lasting), but got some Lancome (seemed to last a bit longer) - couldn't resist the colours. I could've bought the whole selection but settled on "red on fire" and "pink in the limo". I also splashed out on some MAC gel eyeliner and a brush - need plenty of practise with this one! We went for lunch at an Italian restaurant near the theatre before continuing (well, we needed our energy levels boosting!). Susie also splashed out and we were both knacked by the end of it. Yes, I did fall asleep when I got home (no change there then)! Unfortunately I can't show you pics, as I still can't seem to post any on here. I'll keep trying though............
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