This morning I ran errands in a mad dash to get ready for tommorrow and my first chemo. I had no idea what to expect so I prepared for the worst. My arm was quite sore from the port procedure (more on that later) but I did it anyway and of course probably over did it. Got home at 12:30 and hurried to get all the groceries and odds and ends put away before toastmasters. At 1:00 I suddenly got very hot and felt like I was going to pass out. I had to sit down for a moment. After I rested a bit I finished up and then went to lay down while toastmasters class for youth was going on. Was this a hot flash? No I told myself I had just overdone it.
Later on this evening the kids and I were finishing up a movie and all of a sudden I got very hot. This is so unlike me, I am always cold. I kicked off my covers, pulled up my pj bottoms into shorts, pulled up my sleeves and got a drink of water. Dang I'm hot! I'm pretty sure this was a hot flash because all I could think about was pulling off my clothes and laying down on the cold tile floor. Could it be something else? I called Greg to tell him and he said "that fast?" I explained that the OB said the shot would take a week to take effect and what else could it be? My next question of course is are these different from night sweats? When I talked to Greg about it he laughed and said "just stay on your side of the bed!" Ha.
By the way we were watching Evan Almighty. If you haven't watched it it's worth the time, funny, a great message and fabulous behind the scenes. The director bought all staff who were interested a bike to use on set to reduce carbon footprint. Then they donated all the left over wood from massive 50 foot arc to habitat for humanity and ten planted nearly 2000 trees to offset their crabon footprint. I was so excited about this because it was so well thought out and showed that you can make a great movie and walk softly at the same time.
Yesterday I had my port-a-cath put in. I had done some research and decided to have it put in my arm. I have to say that while I was proud of the fact that I ventured into unknown territory and survived once again it was not a pleasant procedure at all. Perhaps I should have had the sleepy drugs. In fact I almost did during the procedure. Because my veins are so small they had to use the large brachial vein. It started spasming during the procedure and gushing blood and the Doc couldn't get the catheter in. It hurt so bad I broke down and asked for the drugs because my Yoga breathing wasn't cutting it and I was really starting to tense up. While they waited for the nurse to bring the drugs the doc called out "I got it in, do you still want the drugs?". I asked if it would continue to hurt and he said the hard part was over. I declined the drugs and he finished up. Needless to say I have a hematoma and while the arnica pills and creams helped with the swelling immensely when I got home I looked like I had a tennis ball in my arm. I got to see a pic of the finished product and the wire from the catheter runs all the way down into my chest. How lucky I am!
I had the tech draw a circle around the swelling so if it got worse I could tell. Today I went in to have the bandage changed and the swelling had gone down significantly. I think this is another procedure that isn't much talked about because quite frankly it's not pleasant. They put you in an OR and use sterile procedures to cut you open (they give you a local in about 4 or 5 different places - I'm getting so good at that needle stick thing), they cut the vein and shove a wire in your arm and you are left with stitches and a tiny little port the size of a nickel under your skin. They do this procedure with an xray machine that is taking live pictures. How come they wore coats to protect them but I didn't get one? Kind of ironic isn't it?
I can't imagine what this procedure would have been like if I had done it in my chest. The tech said he thought chest was better but they put you in an uncomfortable position to do it. Nurse said she thought arm was better. Oh well it's done now and in a few days swelling will be gone. Stitches come out on Monday (he couldn't hide them all). Will bathe will saran wrap on till then since it can't get wet. The staff told me that many people with severe forms of cancer get port and chemo the same day. Pray for them because I can't imagine that.
It's a great day to be alive. And while I'm feeling slow and old from my arm I'm feeling strong about chemo tommorrow. A friend has arranged to sit with me for a bit while I'm there so I don't have to be all alone and I got a few packages in the mail from friends today to listen to on my laptop while I'm there. Also rented When Harry Met Sally and You've got Mail to watch in case I need them. Please send me all your love and light between 10:30am and 2:30pm as I expect it to be a long day.
Peace.
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