Day before the big 'C'

Hello everyone - it has been another busy day - had to be at the hospital for 9:00 am.  It was so busy - I have never seen so many people in the waiting room so everyone was running behind.  It turns out it was because they were closed on Friday (Remembrance day).   Got the bloodwork done first and then saw a nurse who checked my weight and asked a lot of questions about the state of my health etc.  They need to know before starting the Chemo on what is happening to me before the Chemo kicks in.  I then saw the Medical Oncologist (MED ONC), Dr. Shim - she just went over my pathology reports from the surgeries again and confirmed what we knew already.  It was short and sweet.  I then had to make my way to the x-ray department to have the PICC line put into my arm.  This is done to avoid having IV's done every time they give you the Chemo treatment.  It can also be used for CT Scans and for getting blood.  The PICC line can stay in for up to 1 year.  It was a surgical procedure with freezing and scrubs and with me laying on the bed with the x-ray machine above me to make sure they got the line into the right place.  The line goes all the way into the chest up to the heart.  It is taped down onto your arm and has like a valve there.  So it was a bit scary for me.  They freeze the arm area and then insert a needle - it did hurt a little but not for very long.  It was over in 15 minutes or so.  The arm feels a little achy and I know it is there, but I think that is just a matter of getting used to it.  The only thing is I have to avoid getting it wet - just in case of infection.  That is going to be fun - think I will punch a hole in the shower curtain and stick my arm through!  :)

I have to drink lots of water and pee as much as I like.  This is to help flush some of the chemicals out of my body.  So I have been trying to do that - not a big fan on regular water and coffee/tea does  not count.

We left the hospital (Maureen and I) about 11:45 and had a run out to Newcastle to look at some houses for sale - so we enjoyed our afternoon - didn't get back until after 5 or so.

So I didn't get to my gift today until supper time.  Today I opened a lovely pink bag and pink tissue and found a great book - the new Maeve Binchy novel - so plenty to keep me occupied while I am recovering.  Thank you gift giver - I really appreciate it and  I do enjoy this author.

Well I am tired and need to go to bed - hope I will sleep.  Maureen is here to take care of me for a couple of days or so and Brandon will be at the hospital tomorrow as well.  It feels good to have people around me looking out for me.

Thanks for all of your prayers.  I am sure things will be fine and I will try and keep my spirits up.

Good night.  I will check in tomorrow.


Jeaninne