Category Archives: cancer

next oncology appointment is…

04 Wednesday Feb 2015

Posted by in cancer, change, home, hope, hospitals

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next oncology appointment

Today I had to see my oncologist. My previous oncology appointment was on November 24th. At the time I already knew my PET scan had come back clean, but had to visit the onc to figure out what to do next, having reached the all-important 5-year cancer-free anniversary. Turned out I had to have another colonoscopy done first, which also came back with the ALL CLEAR. So I wasn’t too worried going to see the oncologist today. And in fact, it was one of the least stressful hospital visits ever. There was some discussion as to whether I’d continue to get PET scans, or “downgrade” to CT scans… and so far it looks like I’ll continue with PET scans. But just once a year now, rather than every six months. So I will probably have the next PET scan early October and then see the oncologist again on the 15th (the appointment is already fixed). And… well, it feels AMAZING that I won’t be going through scanxiety again in March or April. I don’t think I’ll ever feel “out of the woods”, but this is a very welcome break.

Now I’m just waiting to have the chemo port taken out. Gawd knows I’ve been living with that long enough, along with the monthly trips to the hospital to get it cleaned out. So today I also popped over to the Pain Clinic to see where I was in line. I knew back in November that it would be a bit of a wait as those needing ports have priority over those wanting them out, and rightly so. But it looks like there are only half a dozen people ahead of me now, so it should happen within the next month or so.

it’s takes a professional

28 Wednesday Jan 2015

Posted by in cancer, hospitals, sevilla

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syringe
Anyone who has followed the whole cancer thing knows that I have very hard-to-find veins. They are not only very fine, but I’m told they have a tendency to roll (!) when found, and of course being FAT doesn’t help. Most of the time nurses take one look at my inner arms and go straight for the hands. Which 1) hurt like hell and 2) also have very few vein options left as most of the surface ones were destroyed by chemo. So going for a simple blood test isn’t so simple. Also, unlike most of you guys, I end up having to have blood drawn several times a year.

This morning I had to go for another blood test even though my last one was in October, because I’m seeing the oncologist next week to decide on future monitoring (will it be PET scans once a year now instead of every six months?). I came out of the October session completely battered and bruised after several failed attempts. And – sorry guys! – it is almost always male nurses who can never seem to find a vein (with the exception of One-Poke Manolo). So my heart lifted when I saw two women doing the job today and, sure enough, after having a feel around my right arm, then trying my left, the nurse found a vein not visible to the naked eye and was in and out in no time. I don’t even have a bruise – which is as it should be. Last time both my hands were bruised, swollen and painful for days.

Small mercies. I’ll take em!

colonoscopy clean-out

19 Monday Jan 2015

Posted by in cancer, health & happiness, hospitals

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colon oscopy prep

It’s gonna be a fun three days… and then I get a tube up me bum. I didn’t actually remember following this diet the last time I had a colonoscopy (but apparently I did). Though I seemed less informed back then than this time (no red meats, etc). Also, I’m not on chemo this time! But the weird thing is that it’s been almost six years since my last colonoscopy, which is, well, weird. I can’t seem to get a straight answer from my “substitute” oncologist, but it looks like they just forgot to do this on a more regular basis. And so … this Friday I am having the nasty done once again and will see the oncologist on February 4th to get the results. And finally – I hope – I’ll find out what the new plan is for me. PET scans every year? Every 8-10 months? I’m also still waiting to get the chemo port out, but I understand that those waiting to have one put in have priority, and rightly so.

On the bright side, I will probably lose a kilo or two over the next few days. Tip of the iceberg, I know, but better than nothing…

the chemo port

12 Monday Jan 2015

Posted by in cancer, hospitals, humour

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port (2)

This photo was taken in May 2009 showing off my brand new chemo port. I remember how happy I was that they fit me in for this procedure before I had to resume chemo. Memories of collapsed veins and painful arms and hands…

Today I went for my monthly port cleaning and, while nothing wrong with that, I’d hoped that by now they’d have taken the darn thing out already. When I joined the five year club in November it felt like onwards and upwards. But I’m still waiting to have this thing removed, and I also need to have a colonoscopy this month (the 23rd) before the oncologist decides on what my future monitoring will be. PET scans every year? Every 8 months? We shall see.

Anyhow, I got a taxi over to the hospital this morning (a luxury I allow myself as I really HATE going to the hospital, so at least I can go in style and hang the expense). I was running a bit late today, though I got there at 12.40 (port cleaning hour is between 12 and 1 o’clock) and suddenly there was Manolo standing in the doorway when I skidded to a stop, arms crossed, tapping one foot, giving me The Look. So I said “WHAT? I still have 20 minutes!!” and then Manolo broke into a huge smile and led me to The Chair.

The procedure only takes about five minutes, but sometimes the port doesn’t cooperate and then I worry about blood clots or the nurse pushing air into my veins (I do, seriously). My favourite nurses are Manolo and Macarena. The latter because she is totally no-nonsense and the former because he always makes me laugh. Plus they are skilled at doing this – trust me, when I get a newbie I am a nervous wreck. Anyhow, there was Manolo scolding me for coming at the last minute, and I told him he was going to miss me after they take the port out. “Who else is always going to remind you to take care of the air bubbles??” I asked him. At which point Manolo burst into song, apparently something from his native Córdoba about a difficult “niña” (who, me?) …. and then it was done.

Then another nurse poked her head around the corner and said “another port cleaning!”. And I said to Manolo – “HA! I was not the last one and I expect you to scold this other latecomer as much as you scolded me!” I even made sure. As I was walking out and the other woman was walking in, I turned to Manolo and gave him the hand slicing gesture, winked at the woman, and Manolo went into full Manolo mode saying “what do you mean showing up at this time? you always get here LATE!” and we were all laughing. So I ended up leaving and really hoping it was going to be my last port cleaning, but also knowing I was going to miss Manolo.

hope 2016

03 Saturday Jan 2015

Posted by in cancer, change, chemo, hope

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hope_2016

Continuing the “tradition of hope” started back on January 3rd 2009 when I posted my first ever Photohunt entry. The theme that week was “hope” and I put up a photo of my daybook turned to January 3rd 2010 with the words “STILL HERE!” written on it. I had finished a second stint on chemo just a few months previously and hoping felt like a very bold thing to do. Since then I have posted a similar photo on this date and – as always – hope with all my heart that I’ll be here to turn the page and see this next year.

This year is especially meaningful because in October I joined the “5 Year Club” marking five cancer-free years. But I know better than to assume anything and I feel just as tentative writing this as ever. But hey, it’s good to have hope.