Chemo Day 2 went well. Thanks Terri King for taking me up to Little Rock. This time was so much better because I knew what to expect. And, the PORT was AWESOME. I have a cream that I put on it before I leave Arkadelphia that makes is numb so when I get there, I don’t feel the prick. I put it on there and cover it up with Press and Seal Glad wrap. It was kinda weird, but hey, you can buy that at Wal-mart (the world’s largest retailer). So, when I got there all they have to do instead of getting an IV in my hand, is they push an IV into the Port. That way, my hands are free and they are able to take my blood for lab work and give me chemo that way. So, after I get my lab work, I went over and sat in the big room. The nurses were all funny and gave me a hard time about graduating up to the main room. Of course I picked the chair by the front so I could see all the coming and going. But, it really was so much easier.
A really nice lady sat across from me. Toward the end, I had a chance to visit with her. I figured I might as well start making friends with these people that I will be in here with. She has a very aggressive form of Breast Cancer, so be praying for her as well. She has a much harder treatment process than I do. But, she was very strong and it was good to be able to talk to someone while I was in there.
I think the nurses are beginning to figure me out. One asked if I could have some friends come warn them about me. One of the reasons I sat in the area I was in was because it was on channel 7 (ABC) and I knew that The View would come on at 10. So, it came on and I was watching a very lively discussion. My parents called (they were on their way up from Dallas and just checking in), and Tim, one of the nurses went over and changed it to the People’s Court. I will be the first to admit that I don’t like that show. I have enough drama in my life to concern myself with the dumb stuff other people get themselves mixed up with. So, I looked at him and said, “hey, I was watching that”. I could see in his eyes, a moment of confusion. What I didn’t know was that a woman who had come in and sat down in my section had asked him to change the station. Once I realized that was what had happened, I apologized and said to leave it. I had activities that I was working on and if that would help make that day happier, then I was fine with that. It was funny though. Leave it to me to speak out. So, the joke of the day became me giving directions. The nurse there are really fun and very nice.
This time went so much quicker. They put your medicine on an IV and each time a bag is empty, it beeps and they come over and change to the next one. Being out in the main room, they were able to hear my machine quicker. The first medicine takes about 90 minutes, then they do a saline wash between each one. Another takes 20 minutes, another 30, I get a steroid and then they push the last medicine through. It really was a quick process and I was able to keep myself busy so the time passed so quickly.
After chemo, we went across the street and ate a McBrides. It is a really neat sandwich shop in the Baptist Rehab building. If you are up here and need a place to eat, it is very yummy. They had brownies that dad really liked. I think we have established and addiction and I can assure you that he will have at least one everytime we are there. I had an appointment with the surgeon who did my port to make sure the incision looked ok and if I had any questions. They were great to be able to work out that appointment so I didn’t have to come back up next week. I really liked Dr. Tucker. He did a great job with the surgery and has been great to work with. I don’t have to see him again until it is time to take the port out. I did ask him to explain what it is like so I could tell you better. The way I understand it is that it is about the size of a half-dollar and metal. In the middle of it is a polymer that can be stuck a thousand times and reseal. That is why the port was such a great invention. People can have these for years and they reseal and that way can be restuck. If it were to not seal back up, you would have to have it taken out and redone. I don’t know if that helps or not, but I have included a picture so you can see it. It is all under the skin.
Sleeping with it has gotten better. While I cannot sleep on my left side, I can finally sleep on my right side and that has made things so much better. I am a side sleeper and laying on my back all night long was keeping me from sleeping very well and made my back hurt. So, it is great to be able to sleep through the night.
After chemo we ran some errands in LR and then came on back to Arkadelphia. Mom and I cooked dinner and we watched some TV. Grey’s is Back!!!
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Chemo Day 2 went well. Thanks Terri King for taking me up to Little Rock. This time was so much better because I knew what to expect. And, the PORT was AWESOME. I have a cream that I put on it before I leave Arkadelphia that makes is numb so when I get there, I don’t feel the prick. I put it on there and cover it up with Press and Seal Glad wrap. It was kinda weird, but hey, you can buy that at Wal-mart (the world’s largest retailer). So, when I got there all they have to do instead of getting an IV in my hand, is they push an IV into the Port. That way, my hands are free and they are able to take my blood for lab work and give me chemo that way. So, after I get my lab work, I went over and sat in the big room. The nurses were all funny and gave me a hard time about graduating up to the main room. Of course I picked the chair by the front so I could see all the coming and going. But, it really was so much easier.
After chemo, we went across the street and ate a McBrides. It is a really neat sandwich shop in the Baptist Rehab building. If you are up here and need a place to eat, it is very yummy. They had brownies that dad really liked. I think we have established and addiction and I can assure you that he will have at least one everytime we are there. I had an appointment with the surgeon who did my port to make sure the incision looked ok and if I had any questions. They were great to be able to work out that appointment so I didn’t have to come back up next week. I really liked Dr. Tucker. He did a great job with the surgery and has been great to work with. I don’t have to see him again until it is time to take the port out. I did ask him to explain what it is like so I could tell you better. The way I understand it is that it is about the size of a half-dollar and metal. In the middle of it is a polymer that can be stuck a thousand times and reseal. That is why the port was such a great invention. People can have these for years and they reseal and that way can be restuck. If it were to not seal back up, you would have to have it taken out and redone. I don’t know if that helps or not, but I have included a picture so you can see it. It is all under the skin.
