The Human Pin Cusion: Chemo Number Three

My third chemo treatment was last Thursday, a week ago. This is the first opportunity that I have felt well enough and had enough time to write about it. That‘s probably a good thing. I have a better sense of humor about it now than I did a week ago.

I guess the best way to describe the experience is to say that I was like a human pin cushion—keep in mind my aversion to needles. The nurse who was my sticker person is usually a cracker jack at hitting veins the first time. Granted, my veins are less than plump—not exactly a nurse’s dream.

She first tried the vein in my wrist. It blew and is still numb. She tired the top of my hand and shook her head. I knew that one wasn’t happening. She tried a little to the left of the second attempt, and I sobbed as she again shook her head. The nurse, Gary, and I were all beginning to wonder if this chemo was ever going to happen. Perhaps I could just drink the stuff. I didn’t ask. I knew the answer. (I had already asked once before.) Finally, she decided to resort to the vein in the bend in my arm—not an acceptable site for chemo but probably the only vein worthy of further consideration. Voila! She was successful. The needle was in. She didn’t even move me from the back room where the “special” patients go. (I usually go there for needle insertion and then move out with the “regular” folks after my needle trauma is over.) This chemo day, I would sit alone with Gary. We visited for several hours, as the drip ensued. The door opened, and Katie popped in! What a cool surprise; she told me she had work to do after class, but she surprised me instead. The joy of daughters. Betsy had to work, but she was there in spirit. Finally, one more treatment was down, and we went for our “chemo lunch” at The Chop House.

My recovery time was very strange. I felt like an old woman. Gary gave me the $4,500 shot on the second day. The strange bone aches began. I was unstable and bumped into walls occasionally. Betsy and Katie had too much fun at my expense—chemo mom in action. Actually, a nurse explained that the Abraxane (the new drug) was affecting my blood pressure, making it irregular on each side of my body; therefore, I lost my balance a good bit. I wasn’t well enough to go back to work until the following Wednesday! I was beginning to get senile. Gary, Betsy, and Katie took amazing care of me, meeting my every need. They medicated me, shopped for me, cooked for me, and kept me from bumping into things.

The only thing I could really do was watch television, so I spent a good bit of time watching Grey’s Anatomy. I am now an addict. I think I watched for twelve hours straight one day. (Not bad for someone who is definitely not a television person.)

Being back at school has been wonderful. I’m back in full swing, looking forward to another long weekend, thanks to Martin Luther King Day! Hopefully, I can fend for myself this weekend.