We arrive at my appointed time, but evidently someone is taking longer than anticipated so we eventually get in an hour late. Although to be honest I really didn't feel as though I had waited all that long.
First my arm is put in a bucket of warm water to bring the vein up. The cannula is inserted and a saline drip is started. I am also injected with anti-emetics and steroids. The interesting effect of the steroids is as the nurse said a sensation in my bottom, although the Jeremy Clarkson description of "front lady bottom" would have been more accurate. This strange tingling/ itching lasts only a few minutes, but it is strange.
At this point I have the cold cap or Elasto-Gel cap put on . It is cold but I've had worse. This is left on for 25 minutes and then replaced with another one, which is also left on for about 25 minutes. This is then replaces with yet another cap which is left on for an hour.
I am then ready to receive the 8 very large syringes of chemotherapy. The first four in are red and about half way though the first one I feel really nauseous. So the nurse pauses and then I am fine. The whole procedure takes a little over 2 hours, including going to the loo and having a cup of tea.
I leave the hospital feeling fine.
As the evening progresses I become increasingly zonked. Even watching Midsomer Murders is a little too taxing. I go to bed but cannot sleep. My head hurts and I feeling very bloated and burpy. It is as though I have the worst hangover ever.
At about 1.15am my burpiness finally gives way to throwing up. Fortunately I feel much better once I have thrown up. Although I do wonder how I would have felt without the anti-emetics.
I pass the rest of the night fitfully.
No comments:
Post a Comment