Wednesday, April 12, 2023

It’s been awhile since I checked in. Not much happens around here – we never go anywhere. Most days I do computer work or some sewing in the morning, in the afternoon I cross stitch, play iPad games, or read (that often leads to a nap), and after supper until bedtime I knit or crochet.

Monday’s lab exam took longer than we anticipated. I was first in line but the technician didn’t know where to look for the papers from Oncology so someone else went in ahead of me. Once I was in the chair I had one unsuccessful attempt at finding a vein. I sat with warm towels on my arm while she attended to another patient. Try number two was also unsuccessful but she eventually found a vein at the top of my arm, very near my underarm.

The wait to see the nurse and the doctor on Tuesday wasn’t as long as I thought it would be but I still wasn’t in my treatment chair until about ten (we arrived at the hospital at eight). I always start with a warming pad on my arm in the hope that it will help my veins show up. There was just one unsuccessful attempt and many, many searches. Eventually they gave up and decided to use my left arm; they have hesitated to use that arm because of a small chance of swelling in the lymph nodes.

This was my last chemo treatment and I got a small bag of chocolates and a little bracelet with my name in beads on it (like the kind they used to give newborns in the hospital). I still have my own beaded bracelet so the two will be together in my keepsakes. I gave Jennifer, the nurse, a big hug before I left – although I didn’t like some of her mannerisms she was really very kind, knowledgeable and professional.

After I got home and had some lunch I read for a bit and then lay down on the couch and actually had a planned nap. I don’t think that is the reason I’m not sleeping at this point – it is currently four in the morning and I don’t feel the least bit tired. I have done some computer work, cleared out a couple of files and done a bit of sewing. I guess I’ll go back to the sewing now (mostly pressing and trimming) and hope that before too long I’ll start to feel tired.

I don’t necessarily like it but this seems more normal than my previous treatment.