Freedom: The condition of being free of restraints---
American Heritage Dictionary
I know, a little behind with an update, but cut me a
break—I have been enjoying watching round 6 in the rearview mirror. So let’s play catch up, shall we? Round 6 was Monday, May 21 and the following
weekend—my usual let me visit the 10th floor weekend, was
looming. Oddly enough, the odds were
stocked in my favor. For the first time,
Dr K was on call and I just KNEW I was not going to be able to take
advantage. Not to mention Billy was down
and he said he would cross to the other side of the ER and take me if
needed. There was a part of me which
really wanted to go because of those 2, but then again, the part of me which
just totally HATES fluids was praying otherwise. Starting Sunday afternoon, I became attached
to my 3 thermometers ( yes 3—I lost 2, bought one , found one as soon as I
opened the new one and 10 minutes later found the last one) but I made it
through. Monday dawned and I admit to
taking my temp at least 20 times. And yes,
my temp did made it to the “I have to call” point (by .1), but since Billy was
long gone and Mom would be the one driving, I took 2 Advil and went to bed.
When I woke up on Tuesday, I was ready… I
had made it through the tough days and Pedro was coming out—I was sick and
tired of him. Plus he hurt and I was
afraid he was infected. I called Susan
and I was on my way. I was so excited! I get there and before I see Becca, they take
my temp. Dang thing was 99.2. However, Becca orders a few things and all I
hear is “after all of this, take the pic line out”, Yay! Then Dr K walked by—I waved and smiled—he
smiled, kept walking then did a double take and shook his head. He turned around and I knew he was about to
suck the joy out of me and I was not disappointed. Becca finds me and the words “he doesn’t want
the pic line out just yet” come from her. Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh….figures. As I am trying to come with grips of the unexpected—something
I have become familiar with the past few months--the two of them are poking
their heads in the chemo waiting room. Not
my fault the “now what” came out – which of course made the others in the room
laughed --they knew…it’s a cancer thing! After Dr K questions me and yes, I made sure to point out this is normally the day I am sent home from the 10th
floor as my count is back up—something he is well aware of ….he says IF my
white blood count is okay—then he will okay Pedro’s release but not before. What could I do? I tried to give a really sad look as I headed
back to the blood draw room but didn’t work.
At least this time I got to wait near Susan—which worked out great as I
knew the Yay the counts are good was meant for me! And we were on our way BACK
to the chemo waiting room to GET PEDRO OUT!!!!!!!!
Let me tell you about the chemo room. Obviously everyone is there for the same
reason. Different cancers, so many different variations on the chemo, but there
is a bond knowing we are all getting filled with the poison that will hopefully
kill the cancer and prolong our lives.
The chemo nurses are amazing.
They are kind, caring and keep track of everyone which is not easy as
there are so many chairs and usually all are filled. They have a gift and it shows. They become part of your life for as long as
the chemo continues and from a patient’s point of view, it is so very important
to have people who truly care and are gentle to boot. I was hoping Brittany would be there, as she
gave me my first chemo as well as 3 others.
But it was her day off and I got Crystal— my second choice. She tells me what she will be doing and it
will not hurt—but to remember I have to hold my breath and basically push just
as she is taking out the last of Pedro.
Very strange… but it is to avoid an air bubble at the end—or so she
says. I still think she did it just to
get me. Finally Pedro is out and in the trash.
Crystal looks at me, gives me a hug and says “bring on the radiation!”
and shoves me out the door as we both started to tear up.
I have enjoyed these past few weeks before
starting on the radiation. My arm is
again my own, I am able to eat fresh, raw fruits and I just feel better. Yes, I forgot last week was fatigue week as
in my mind I was done with chemo, but I dealt with it. I am looking forward to settling into my
radiation routine and then my new normal—which does include my trusty day
planner!
Jeremiah 29:11
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