15th Herceptin

Today I had my treatment, a few days early as I didn't really want to have it done the day before we went on holiday.

The port I had fitted last week was accessed successfully by the vascular nurse (Esme). It really hurt though, as it was still healing I couldn't have the Emla cream applied to numb it and Esme had to press down hard on the port to determine what length needle to use. Once the skin was pierced it didn't hurt at all.

I sat there all the time hands free and it was excellent as I didn't have to worry about a canula getting in the way.

I also opted out of having piriton as that makes me so sleepy. I survived with no reaction so won't need to have piriton again.

Finished off the session being armed with spare needles, Emla cream and dressings...

So glad I had it done. Only thing I have watch is if I don't have any treatment for 4 weeks for whatever reason it has to be flushed out...there was mention of teaching me how to do it!!

Love Clare xx

Today I was fitted with my port....but very nearly wasn't!!

The port was ordered from Belgium and when it arrived yesterday morning apparently it looked like someone had sat on it!!

Another was re-ordered and delivered to the Bard rep in Oxford this morning and she drove it down to Reading for them for this afternoon...

I had to starve from 9.30am no mean feat seeing as I scoff all day usually!!

Dropped Jack off at Sinead's, as it was Mia's birthday treat this afternoon at Madhouse (soft play)...

Got to the hospital at 12.45 and realised as we were halfway there I'd forgotten my book - drat

Was told to sit in the 'Intervention waiting area' where there was not one magazine in sight not even one from yesteryear!!

Went through to the X-ray room at 1.45 (a tad late but hey ho!!)..canulated up for the sedation, ECG pads on and marked up with a black marker. Sheila the nurse specialist who was doing the procedure started to sing the Umpla Lumpa song and orange iodine was spread VERY liberally on my neck/shoulder and right side of chest...

I was given sedation and was so disappointed as I thought I'd be in a state of wooziness...but nothing happened...well I thought not but apparently I went to sleep...as I said the sedation did nothing for me and Esme the nurse who was administering it said well it's 3.50pm and you've been drifting in and out of sleep!!

I could feel them routing around by my neck and pressing on the port to get it under the skin but it didn't hurt.

As I was stitched up, I could feel it but as I'm rock hard said it was ok and didn't need anymore local anesthetic...glue went on next and then I was unhooked and sat up for a while to regain my bearings.

I was given a load of gumph and a special needle to take with me when I next have a CT scan as they will need to use this instead of the 'bog standard' ones.

After a lovely much needed cup of tea I waited for Jon to come and get me.

There were no dressings on either cut but the port cut started to bleed a little at the end so I now have a dressing on it and can take it off tomorrow.

Started taking Arnica tablets last week and will carry on next week in the hope that it will minimise the bruising...and taking Ibroprofen/paracetamol for the pain and any inflammation.

So next Friday will be the first time it will be used -fingers crossed it's all ok.

All in all a 'strange' experience but much needed to ease the discomfort of nurses trying to find veins everytime I need treatment.

Love Clare xx

14th Herceptin

Another 3 weeks have passed by and I was back at the hospital today. Had my 3 monthly appointment with the consultant this morning only he wasn't there (as usual), so I saw the lady oncologist who is rather brusque...but I quite like that.

Waited over an hour to been seen and was in the room for a total of approx 4mins!!...must be a record!!

She said my heart function was ok and that I could go ahead and have the treatment, when I said that I had already booked my next (and last heart scan) she said that I was going to be on Herceptin for the foreseeable future. Which for me is excellent news.

Off I went and reported upstairs, only to be told I was down on the list for tomorrow!! I do normally go on a Tuesday except for the times I have to see my consultant as his clinic is only on Monday mornings...he had forgotten to change the date on my treatment card -doh!!

The receptionist managed to persuade pharmacy to make up my drugs for today but they said it would be approx 3hr wait. So I went into town and did a bit of shopping.

They are so good considering they're so busy they even rang my mobile to let me know that the drugs were ready when I was.

Now for the exciting bit (well exciting to me anyway!!)

On Friday 12th June I'm having a Power Port fitted - no more fiddling around trying to find veins. It's a brand new design that can also deliver contrast dyes for CT scans at the right pressure.

It's done under sedation and takes approx 2hrs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port-a-Cath

I'll be the first at our hospital to have one of the 'power' ones fitted. There are only 34 others in total who have a port and at a cost of around £3k I'm not surprised.

So when others are moaning about the treatment they get at our hospital I have nothing but praise,they really are looking after me and doing what's best for me. it doesn't always go smoothly but that's life...nothing ever does!!

Love Clare xx