Wait...You're NOT telepathic?!

I am now 3 weekly chemo's in (out of a scheduled 9 - so 6 more sessions to go!) and so far, the are treating me a lot more nicely than the Red Devil (EC) chemo did which is a relief. The EC chemo made me feel crappy more or less as soon as it went in and then got worse whereas these ones are fine when they are going in and then the effects seem to kick in a few days later. Which is nice because its meant I've been able to plan to do stuff the day after (like teararse round Diggerland in the school hols for example IF the hospital don't try change your chemo day without telling you - more on that in a bit though!). The only other difference is the pre-meds. Before they give this chemo, they give me some steroids (the one they call the prickly bum one as it feels like your sitting on some nettles) and then some anti-histamines to reduce any chance of allergic reactions. The last 2 times, this has sent me into a lovely little nap for the remainder of the treatment as I've been all cosied up with some blankets and a handwarmer to snuggle! Hence why I look rather dozy hahaha.

Maggies

With been up at the hospital a lot more I've also been spending the gap between getting my bloods done and waiting for my treatment to be ready/space in the unit at the Maggie's Centre. Sounds boring but its a really special place so thought I would share some pictures of this lovely place. Its at the side of the big multi-storey car park at St James' and is somewhere you can go get a cuppa, chill, talk to someone, work, read or do whatever really. Either way its gorgeous and its not a bloody hospital and it doesn't smell. I tried describing it to my mother in law and she laughed at me when I said the architecture was beautiful and it was all green and planty. So these are the pictures I sent her!

Advocating for patients

With switching to weekly treatments, it obviously means a lot of time is spent at the hospital which is to be expected and I always said I would try make this time about learning as much as I can so I can be the best Radiographer I can once I eventually qualify. A few weeks ago, I was in need of some medication to take home after my treatment and had asked the Nurse looking after me if she could get me some and was told the Dr would be bleeped. My treatment took over 1.5hrs and after asking a few times, I was told that the Dr hadn't answered the bleep so unfortunately I couldn't have the medication. I was really upset and distressed but left the unit and asked them if an alternative medication I could buy over the counter would be OK i.e. not have any interactions with the medication they had given me. I was told no. On the walk back to the car I told my partner what had gone on, he wasn't happy and went back to the unit and spoke to the Nurses who then agreed that it wasn't acceptable and they managed to get a Dr to answer the bleep and get me some medication prescribed.

Another thing I've encountered (which was this week!) was the changing of my chemo appointments. By chance I called the unit on Monday to check everything was ok for my appointment as I'd not heard from them as I was expecting. I was then told that my treatment had been changed to Tuesday. Erm...since when? I was only in last week. Who changed it? Why did they not tell me? I had made plans for the Tuesday (as mentioned above) as I knew it was going to be my 'good' day. I was devastated to be told my treatment had been moved to that day. Luckily, the nurse I spoke to was able to co-ordinate my treatment to be able to go ahead on Monday as I had expected and we had a meeting with the unit Matron about all the things that had gone wrong - not to moan but to make sure that these things don't keep happening because I'm sure if they're happening to me/us, they're happening to other people too and we're all going through a really tough time (which is why Ry thinks people probably don't say anything if things go wrong either which I get because we're all thankful for the treatment that we're receiving so its hard). It is also clear to see how the unit is very stretched and short staffed and that probably has something to do with it.

What I think is important is for Healthcare Professionals to realise how important things like this are to patients and how they can advocate for their patients. Something as insignificant as a tablet or a treatment date can have a massive impact on the quality on somebodies life and their ability to get through this really tough time.

Half Term

Its been half term this week, Ryan's off work and I've been determined to have some fun with the boys. I had chemo booked in for Monday then Diggerland, Pumpkin Picking and a walk round the Sculpture Park booked in for the rest of the week. As mentioned before, I'd booked Diggerland in for my definite good day then the others were a bit more flexible so I could do as much or as little as possible (in theory). Its been lovely, but I'm knackered!