Answers and Equivalent Fractions

Oncolocist Appointment & Blood Work

It was Thursday ... the day to see the oncologist in Kamloops and get blood work done.  Ecstatic at the prospect of actually having some plans for the day, I jumped out of bed at 6 a.m. and got organized to leave the house at 7:30.

One of the wonderful things about being back in Kamloops to finish off treatment is that I get to see the same oncologist every visit.  I had initially seen Dr. Proctor at the Kamloops Cancer Clinic before leaving for Victoria.  I would get to see him for this visit, and every other pre-chemo visit, as well. Having been for 6 oncologist visits at the Victoria Cancer Agency, I had seen five different oncologists. In Victoria, for logistical reasons I'm sure, a file is assigned to a "clinic" of 5-6 oncologists, and you see whoever can fit you in that day.  It was rather frustrating updating every doctor on my case after feeling like they had flipped through my file for 30 seconds before entering the room.

My visit with Dr. Proctor was wonderful -- he is a soft-spoken, thorough, kind man, and he examined me thoroughly and listened to and answered every question I had arrived with in my journal. [Here's some advice I'm sure you've already heard -- ALWAYS write down your questions as you think of them at home.  You might think you'll remember them all, but you won't ... especially if chemo brain has kicked in.]  One question I had was the results of the chest x-ray that was done just before I left Victoria.  The report stated that there were no positional issues with my port and catheter -- it SHOULD work just fine.  We also discussed the horrific leg and ankle pain I experienced after cycle 5.  He doesn't like his patients to take too much Tylenol, so prescribed Gabapentin that I will take Days 2-8 that should help with any nerve pain.  He also gave me a prescription for straight Codeine in case I still experience pain.  Sounds like all pain-bases are covered!

Then, off to a downtown clinic for blood work.  I was quite astonished that no nurses at the large hospital are trained to do blood work from a port.  Can you predict my next statement???  NO BLOOD!  So ... Alteplace (I've now had the clot buster so many times that I've learned its correct name!), wait an hour, back to the clinic again ... TINY bit of blood.  NOT ENOUGH blood.  What now???  Back up to the lab at the hospital for old-fashioned blood work. (Go figure, the downtown clinic couldn't draw blood the "normal" way.  What kind of system is this???)

There were a few fun things thrown in between all the medical stuff -- like lunch with Esther and shopping at Michael's and Walmart -- but, all in all, the medical stuff took the majority of time from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.  Another marathon day!!

Chemo Cycle #6

I just have to show you the gorgeous new bag some of my wonderful family gave me, and it was stuffed with goodies to keep me warm like snugly socks, slippers, and two soft shawls to wrap up in  ... THANK YOU SO MUCH, LEE AND MIKE!!!

When getting ready for a marathon at the Cancer Clinic, it is very important to stock supplies.  This is THE PERFECT bag, obviously thought out by someone who has gone through this experience. There's an insulated pocket for my water bottle, pocket for my cell phone, as well as lots of room for magazines, snacks, and a shawl (a must to keep warm in the air-conditioned chemo room).

With a 9 a.m. appointment time, it seemed rather strange to be going for chemo so early in the morning.  It was very quiet -- I was only the second person in a chair.  My lovely nurse, Donna, got me all hooked up, flushed my port, and tried for blood return  ............. NOPE!!  Not even after the Alteplace the day before.  Donna decided to try Alteplace again, injected it, and then went to consult with Dr. Proctor since we had an hour to wait.  He thought it best I have a dye-guided x-ray to pinpoint the problem once and for all.  So ... wait and wait and wait for the phone to ring that x-ray was ready for me.

I must interject for a moment with a paragraph about my support people.  While in Victoria, Kate and Rachel took turns coming to chemo with me.  NEVER a complaint, NEVER left my side (except to attend class), ALWAYS 100% supportive.  Yesterday, both David and Esther were coming with me. I was thankful the chemo room was so quiet as I wasn't sure they would both be allowed to stay with me. In Victoria, the limit had been ONE support person only.  About 30 minutes in -- I'm not even hooked up, Donna hasn't tried to get blood return, nothing -- David comments that, "This is like watching paint dry!"  WHAT?????  He's now spent 30 minutes in a chemo room ... TOTAL!!!! Not hours and hours and hours like me or my support people!  At the 45 minute mark, shortly after Esther arrives, HE DITCHES!!! And ... doesn't return until I'm 5 minutes from being done.  He certainly didn't experience what a chemo session is like.  For Cycle #7, I think I'll bring some duct tape to keep him in the chair :) :)

The phone rings ... x-ray is ready for me.  Run!!! They're waiting!!!  I have never before been serviced so fast in this department.  At every reception counter, I would begin to spurt out my name and they would just point and say "Run!"  I lay down on a table in the x-ray room and the radiologist positioned the large camera and injected dye into my port. He IMMEDIATELY saw the issue! The catheter tube attached to my port should be free-floating in the middle of my vein.  However, the end of my tube is slightly bent and the opening is resting against the vein wall.  So, anything can push its way out the catheter tube, but as soon as suction is applied to try to get blood return, the tube simply suctions to the vein wall -- therefore, NO BLOOD.  The radiologist was not quite sure why Alteplace helps, except maybe some protein or a clot is forming attaching the tube to the vein wall. He gave the OK for chemo -- YAY!!!

Donna immediately hooked me up to my pre-meds and by noon the Taxol was finally flowing into my veins. Esther had to entertain herself during my brief nap, but she was certainly good company while I was awake. Shortly after 3, I was done, flushed, and we were on our way. After a quick stop at Safeway to pick up Neupogen and my new prescriptions, we were on our way home to Ashcroft.

Cycle #6: 6/8 done

Equivalent fraction:  3/4!! 1/4 to go!!

While getting chemo, a volunteer came by with a cart loaded with gorgeous quilts.  They are made by the Sagebrush Quilters Guild in Kamloops and donated to the Cancer Clinic for chemo patients. Usually, a patient would receive one at their first chemo visit, but since this was my first visit in Kamloops, I was able to choose one. THANK YOU SAGEBRUSH QUILTERS!

When my cancer journey is "over" (well, I guess it's never truly over), I WILL remember to give back in some way.  I'm not a quilter or a knitter, but I will find some way to give back.