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| HUMC Main Entrance |
I'm here in the hospital! It feels like forever since the first doctor's appointment in September. I checked in at 11:30 this morning. It's almost 5 and I have yet to start the chemo. The IV is hydrating me right now and supposedly the chemo is being prepared.
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| Nurse Beatrice, and my 1/2 of the room. |
My first nurse, Beatrice, was very pleasant and helped me to settle in. I had to laugh though, when she said I couldn't wear my "nice" clothes while getting chemo, so I should change. Nice clothes? I said I wore the sweats so I could be comfortable! No go, she wanted me in my pjs or the hospital pjs. Hmmm, a hospital robe with a breeze, or my comfy t-shirt with sweat pants... Easy choice!
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| I blame my mother for my small veins! |
After putting on the sexy hospital robe the nurse came in to put in the IVs. She was nice enough to consider how annoying it would be to have one in each arm, so she put both in one arm. I only had to be stuck 3 times! Lucky me! Then, another nurse came in and stuck me a fourth time to draw blood :( I'm getting saline for hydration and sodium bicarbonate to bring down my PH level so I don't get kidney stones. (BTW, I was kidding about wearing the breezy robe)
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| Lunch! |
I decided to enjoy some lunch while waiting for the chemo. I've been told to make sure I eat, even if I don't feel like it so I ordered me a chef's salad with a roll, fruit, apple juice, and olive oil with lemons for the dressing. The biochemist I spoke with suggested I stay away from vinegar and anything with tomatoes (so I didn't eat those delicious looking tomatoes). Was lunch delicious? Let's just say it was edible. I'm hoping for something better for dinner! It's great though that I can order what I want, when I want it. They have a whole menu, with entrees, sides, desserts, and even fruit smoothies! Too bad I don't think I'll be savoring too much of it...
My roomie, Blanche, is a very old lady who is hard of hearing, and very funny. I went behind the curtain to say hello to her and introduce myself. After learning my name, she practically yelled, "What do you want?" I told her I was just saying hello so she responded with, "I need to go pee-pee. Get my nurse!" I pushed the call button and when the nurse came Blanche said to her, "Now you have to change me because you took so long to get me a bedpan!" I'm going to miss good ol' Blanche... she's checking out soon :)
I'll be posting again once I've had the chemo drip for a bit~
good luck and hang in there....lov ya
ReplyDeleteI thought lunch looked pretty good! :) Go fight win!!
ReplyDeleteTessa, I was so surprised to see your story on fb and I know its been ages but I wanted to wish you the best of luck. I admire your courage and don't doubt that you'll win this fight. Im working in radiology these days and see quite a few cancer patients but I don't know that I've ever seen anyone so determined to win. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers, rock that cancer!
ReplyDeleteYour Blanche sounds like the same old lady Blanche I knew as a kid... maybe the personality comes with the name! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHi, my name is Jenny & I'm one of Andrea Over's friends. My mom has Lymnode cancer also. She is in remission right now :) I hope everything goes well for you!! How old are your kids?
ReplyDeleteLet's see who replaces good-ole Blanche. She sounds like a card (if you have the attitude you do!) I bet you look beautiful in your sexy hospital garb. You and your smile make everything pretty. Sending love and vibrant energy your way!
ReplyDeleteOh man, what a day! I hope that it went okay, and that you are feeling decent; all things considered. I wish I could come and sit with you. It wasn't very long ago that my sister was going through chemo. Although, hers was once a week for several months. She would go and sit at the cancer center for about 8 hours, and I loved being able to be with her, even if we were both just sitting there doing nothing.
ReplyDeleteDo you have good books to read? I've got a pretty good collection, and would be more than happy to send you a few of my favorites. What kind of books are you into? We've got just about anything you can imagine. E-mail me an address that I can send them to, when you are feeling up to it.
Still prayin'!
Tessa,
ReplyDeleteThis is Rachael from your high school. My sister Rebecca told me about your news. Your in our prayers and we wish you the best. There is this young man in our ward, Nick Ray and he's been battling cancer for the last couple of years, this is his third time. He's got a blog too. If you want to see his story let me know.
Good Luck Tessa! We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. I would go for the Pj's too! They look much more comfortable.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all of your kind and optimistic comments. It lifts my spirits every time I read a new one, so thank you!
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