Trick or Treat - A Day in the Life of Chemo Treatment

Happy Hallowe'en on this soggy October 31st. Not being a real fan of the dress up thing, I thought we might take a walk down Chemo Lane today. I promise not to scare the day lights out of you but rather share the experience of having treatment. 

We arrived 20 minutes early, I checked in, no sooner sat down when called to 'enter'. Wow that was quick although you're never left waiting. 

My nurse said 'we even have your meds ready!  We have patients who waited over 2 hours and just got them.'  Right off the bat I say thanks to God for taking such good care of us. 

I settle into Chair #8, with an inside view, and you can tell from the photo, no one's privacy is breached otherwise I wouldn't even consider taking it.  Warm blankets on my arms to coax the veins to the surface and a volunteer soon offering snacks and a drink. 

There's no trouble getting the IV in on the first try with the first pre-med of a steroid, dexamethozone soon coursing through my system. This is followed by ranitidine and, finally Benadryl, each taking about 15 minutes.  All 3 of these are to prevent reactions to the chemo drug itself which is called paclataxol.  I just learned today, this drug is particularly sensitive to patients and one of those which people will react, sometimes severely, on the first or second session.  Once again I thank God for the tolerance I have had with my own chemo cocktail. The entire process will be just over 2 hours. 

Already patients have come, others have gone, all the while every chair filled with people traveling their own path with stories as unique as the 'bums in seats' and the protocol of drugs pumped  into each of us. All sizes, shapes and ages, except those under age 18 who have their own child friendly spaces. 

Our friend Tess just arrived, our faithful advocate, supporter, and interpreter who provides a much needed set of ears when we go to appointments and chemo sessions. She is a wealth of knowledge as a retired nurse with a solid understanding of most things medical.  Every day Tess and the members of her family in medicine review what's new in their world, discuss things at family gatherings I'm sure. I likened it to the 'Red Bloods', similar to the police show 'Blue  Bloods'.  And we are the grateful beneficiaries of some of that expertise.   When I first had chemo in early 2013, Tess and friend Marion brought a beautiful dollar store variety of a tiara along with a hand made note on a piece of lined paper to celebrate the Princess of Chemo.  I just spent quite a lot of time trying to find the related photo and have given up.  I'm sure you can picture the moment in your mind.

The hum of machines along with low level chatter among patients, friends and families helps time pass. Some of the nurses joined in the spirit of the day, caring for their patients as a hippie from the '70's, a bee, unicorn and the like, bringing smiles to everyone they meet.   The care is truly as good as you might hear.  And I don't mean the ever beeping and ringing of bells to signal meds are done! You never feel left waiting, wondering or hoping for someone to come by.  The teams work as one, seamlessly helping one another to ensure we are all looked after with utmost compassion and respect.  As you sit there, a common sight is to have patients waltz past with their I.V. poles as silent dance partners heading for the bathroom to flush out the liquids almost as quickly as they're being pumped into us! It's a place of familiarity, a passing glance, eye contact leading to a knowing smile, even blank stares for those choosing to deal with the day privately, in their own way.

After my turn to dance Mike and Tess become engrossed in a discussion about the recently established hockey pool Tess has joined.  How she knows all those players, their names and styles of play is totally beyond me. Maybe as a grandma of 7, including 5 boys I think almost all of who play hockey, is an important way of keeping in contact and engaged.  We after all have 9 grandkids including only 1 boy with none of the girls involved in Canada's favourite sport.

Before we know it, the chemo drug is done, on my return from the bathroom, it starts to ring and bingo, treatment is complete for another week.  A little flush here, a little pull there to remove the I.V. a piece of tape to wrap things up and we're on our way.  At just past 3:30 in the afternoon, it's unlikely anyone will be arriving to start chemo.  Their typical day is from 8 - 4:00 or 4:30 with a couple of nurses working until 5 or 5:30 for those of us who 'draw' for the latest times.  It's all done by way of some internal 'lottery' for times and maybe even chairs.  So far I've not had a 'window seat' overlooking Lake Ontario.  I like to think those spots are saved for those who may just be starting their own adventures in prayer and medicine.

We find our way back to our cars, and fortunately our parking angel has accommodated us over the years of treatment and appointments, allowing for a spot fairly close to the cancer centre.  We pay a special rate of $1/hour to a maximum of $5/day.  While it used to be free, a decision was made to implement a reduced rate for cancer patients in order to be closer to fair to other patients who also may have to spend many days at the hospital (like dialysis patients) who pay regular rates.  We feel it's worth doing our share.  After all we are blessed to have such specialized care a mere 20 minutes from home.

The chemo appears to be working by the results of regular bloodwork done the day before each treatment.  All is in line with no more concern about a block in the bile duct which means no stent or shunt will be necessary.  My abdomen feels more settled than before and while fatigue has become a constant companion I am befriending it, giving in as needed with intentional rest periods rather than 'pushing through'.  A friend commented today, describing my situation in what I think is pretty close to accurate, on how I am living with 'an acute chronic condition'.  While it doesn't fit with the definition of acute completely being 'sudden, severe', neither is it simply chronic which is often known as 'long lasting, slow progression', in my case it seems the disease acts up in an acute fashion leading to treatment almost on a crisis basis.  My experience has been, an acute onset like last November and a little less acute this fall, once treatment is started I bounce back well and quickly.  This is the third time (at least) in this post I thank God, now for how well I tolerate the weekly sessions.

Lots more has been going on in my life over the past couple of weeks with courses and workshops, mostly ending and I hope to share some of the insights I've gained in future posts.  I'm home now and doing my best to hydrate and flush out my system as quickly as possible.  Funny isn't it, drink, drink, drink to have nice plump veins in preparation for chemo, then drink, drink, drink after to flush it all out.  And you know what follows, pee, pee, pee and pee some more.  I work hard not to fall asleep once home in the hope of having a reasonable night's sleep tonight, especially given the steroids which have caused 'restless legs' leaving me thrashing most of the night.  So far so good, we're into watching the National and I think my napping has been short from what I can remember!

Another Halloween evening has ended with a total of 10 children coming by for trick or treats, our newest little neighbour being the first as a 2 1/2 month old pumpkin.  Whatever treats are left will undoubtedly by enjoyed by Mike, and me I must admit.  We hope you enjoyed the evening if it's your thing and enjoyed the pause if not.  I'll be aiming for a reasonable night's sleep but even if I don't, I'll be ever so thankful for having a clean, comfortable bed to rest as best I can.

Until next time, keep well, stay in the moment, remember tomorrow has its own share of concerns, and we'll be back mid November!

Take care, hugs and 

God Bless,

Liz

dobbsjones@gmail.com

"Prayers wrapped in faith and sent with love are the greatest gifts we can receive"