Friday, August 6

Well this was not a stellar week when it came to needles. Tuesday morning I show up for my weekly blood test to find that my super blood sucker D was called for jury duty! Nurse Aurora (yes - like the princess) to the rescue!! Didn't hurt but did take 2 sticks to get the job done!

On to Wednesday and chemo. Before I forget the hot dog routine does continue with our informal picnic before we go up to Infusion. Anyway, we got Roxanne (our favorite nurse) again this week. Since last week she did such a good job of getting the IV in I wasn't feeling panicked at all. Unfortunately after 2 tries she had to call in reinforcements! Stage left Nurse N arrived to safe the day - NOT! At one time I had two IV needle in me because she was afraid I'd bleed out if she removed them. The third time she fianlly was able to get it in (so we thought). So banaged up and ready to start. Roxanne comes back and starts the Benydril IV. So as I'm waiting to go into LaLa Land I feel something wet on my arm. Yep - my IV was leaking. So Roxanne runs to the rescue and carefully unwraps everyting and repostions the needle without having to take it out. I have to tell you this is the first time I had tears in my eyes and ready to loose it. NOT because it hurt because between you and me it wsan't bad. It was the fear of them sending me home and not being able to give me the treatment. It's also the first time I saw Mark really looking like he was going to loose it although I must say he sat right there letting me squeeze the hell out of this hand. Now, I have to also say that I do not blame the nurses as I know both are very good at their jobs. It's just my veins and all the abuse from chemo (it does eat up your veins because its so caustic) between 7 years ago when I went through this and now. I have been asked why I just won't get a port. Here's the facts. I have had two very close people in my life who had one put in and die shortly afterward. It's a mental thing.

So you think the story ends here. If you know me you know nothing is ever that simple. So we are done with chemo (very late since my appt was 3PM and they didn't even get the IV in until 4:30PM) and waiting for the valet to bring the car when I feel something wet on my arm. I look down and the bandage is soaked with blood and now dripping down my arm. Well, there was NO WAY I was going back into the hospital. So I covered it so Mark didn't see and once we got in the car I grabbed the towel I keep in there and wrapped it around my arm and applied pressure. I figured there were a lot of hospitals between there and home in case something major happened. Luckily this did the trick and I didn't bleed out!!!

On a brighter note - Thursday was a fantastic day!!! Had dinner with my cousin Carol and it was a wonderful evening. Feeling good today and hope it lasts.

Keep your fingers crossed next week will be less exciting and more routine. Until then.....