Monday I arrived before 7.30 am to be first in line for a blood test. Being early helped because my chemo started by 11.50 am. Went to one of the hospital cafés and had a coffee and returned to see the doctor before 9.00 am. First I saw Dr Nick Coupe, one of the registrars. He was happy with my progress and lack of adverse reactions to the chemotherapy. Dr Lisa Horvath was also happy. So, it was business as usual regarding the chemo. Went back to the café, bought a Daily Telegraph to do the puzzles and had a meat pie and cup of tea.
My chemo went without a hitch. Indeed, my nurse made sure that she changed me to both chemos and other liquids promptly, resulting in being finished by just after 4.00 pm. This was the quickest treatment time I have had and I was glad to be home by 4.30 pm and enjoy a cup of soup.
My experience during the Monday was to see two people suffering from their chemo near me. A lady diagonally opposite me had her sick bag out and by the end of her treatment was teary and looking sad. Sorry to see that and told myself I was not going to be sick.
Michael, a patient on chemo round 8, with the same doctor and having the same chemotherapy was next to me. He is from Korea. He has had some delays in receiving treatment due to his blood count readings. We were both receiving the same chemo, when he showed me his palms, which were reddening, and I noticed his eyes were reddening too. Then he took off his right shoe and started scratching his foot. I am aware that staff say to let them know if you are experiencing any difficulties. So, I stood up and signalled for assistance. As soon as the first nurse came, there were quickly four people looking after Michael. They immediately stopped his chemo. He was having a rare allergic reaction to the same chemo as I was on. He had not had this reaction before and I told myself that I did not want any negative reaction to my chemo!
Michael also had chest pains that he rated as 4 or 5 out of a maximum horrid pain level of 10. They gave him oxygen, a drug to bring things under control and antihistamine to counter the allergic reaction. He did not panic and remained calm. His hands and feet became warm and so they wrapped them in cloths doused in cold water. Then he started shivering in response to the drug. The head nurse said this could last six hours! They placed a blanket on him to warm him. Thankfully, the shivering only lasted a few minutes. His chest pain subsided. He had rashes on the inside of both arms, showing the allergic reaction. After an hour they gave him his chemo bottle as I receive. His wife arrived to take him home. I introduced myself, saying my name is David. She said they had a son named David. So they were son David and father Michael and I am brother to Michael. Great names!
Wednesday I returned at 2.30 pm to have the bottle removed. I had to wait in the nearby waiting room. A man was wheeled in on a wheelchair by his son and wife and was there to have a blood test. While he waited, he groaned and moaned; obviously uncomfortable. Thankfully, I only had to wait about 10 minutes and I went to a bed to have the bottle and tubing removed. But, the lady in the bed opposite me was uncomfortable. Her husband was busy trying to adjust the bed to make her more comfortable. Soon, the nurse came, quickly removed the bottle and tubing and I was on my way.
Thus, this round was notable for seeing the most suffering. I would rather have quieter rounds as I find I need to talk to myself to say I do not want to have those problems. However, it was good to see how well and promptly the nurses handled Michael’s allergic reaction. It is good to know you are in good hands.
Contrast this, with the sports action I observed on the University of Sydney No 1 oval on the way to and from the hospital on the Wednesday afternoon. Two teams of women’s softball were battling it out. There was a small, enthusiastic and boisterous crowd. A third team was awaiting their game. On the way back, I watched some pitches. The batter hit a run to first base, resulting in all the bases being loaded. The next batter also successfully hit the ball and person at third base completed a home run. The crowd went wild! So, within five minutes of each other this healthy group was enjoying itself while the other group was suffering discomfort, receiving their chemotherapy.
Remember in chemo round 9 how I had little queasiness on days 3 and 4. I aimed for this again but did not achieve the same level of success – darn! Can’t complain though, because the queasiness is not too bad.
Friends come for lunch
Tuesday, Pam, Allan and Katharine Vernon came for lunch with Barbara and I. Pam and Allan are heading off as self-funded missionaries to Uganda around the middle of September. All of us used to be leaders in the Glebe Christian Youth Club back in the 1970s. It was good to catch up with them. We also had some cake to celebrate Katharine’s Wednesday birthday.
Pam and Allan have a blog site where you can read about their preparations and journey to date <http://ugandajourneypamallan.blogspot.com/>. They are also having a farewell time at their Church, which those of you who know them are welcome to attend. The farewell is 12.30 pm, Sunday 28 August at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 295 Windsor Road, Baulkham Hills. If you would like to come, please bring your own picnic lunch. Tea and coffee will be provided.
Other social activities
Thursday I enjoyed afternoon tea with the pastor of Petersham Baptist Church (that Barbara attends) at the Gallery Cafe in Annandale. We look forward to further coffees at different cafés.
Friday I continue the cryptic crossword training with Katharine and then stay on for lunch with Katharine and Phil, who has returned from a wonderful European holiday where he saw 12 polar bears up in the Arctic Circle.
Friday night Barbara and I head for Perth. During the week in Perth, I will be facilitating my first seminars since March for the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
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