So I rock up ready for my last ever chemo. And yeah, it was pretty much downhill from there. I got what would have to be the oddest nurse I have ever had. She did not shut up for a second, asking mindless stupid questions. I was put into what must have been an overflow room with a couple of chairs and beds. She offered me a choice of bed or chair - seriously? Why the hell would I want to be in bed? I'm fit and healthy. I took the chair. The chair sticking out like a sore thumb - I knew it wasn't a "real" chair because there was no number on it, no call bell attached, nothing. Oh well, who cares, lets just get this over with.
First bit of bad news - I failed my first blood test. My magnesium levels had plummeted enough that I would require a magnesium infusion. My day just got longer. This also sent the nurse into a bit of a tizz because it meant her "3 hour patient" as I was getting called (nurses should be aware of how much patients can hear them saying at the nurses station) was now going to take even longer. After I passed my vital signs and was deemed healthy enough to receive my chemo, came the next fun part of the day - getting the IV started. I knew before she even started she was going to miss. And boy did she miss in spectacular style. Best bruise yet! She was dithering around, didn't anchor the vein, kept moving her fingers, and I just knew before that needle poked it was going to be a no-go. But her pride got in the way and she HAD to try again - miss. Finally she admitted defeat - this time she didn't blame my actual veins, she had the nerve to blame the 'extra layer of subcutaneous tissue' that made it tricky. Seriously? Did you just call my arm TOO FAT for an IV???? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Third times a charm - had a lovely nurse come in, and slip the IV in, no pain, no bruise, easy peasy. Thank god. I was now an hour behind schedule. It was going to be a loooooong afternoon. So the idiot nurse came back and gushed over how brilliant the other nurse was "he always gets that funny little vein" (for any nurses or medical types - he did the one off the thumb, commonly referred to as the blind mans vein - i don't know anyone who misses that one!) She then starts with the mindless chatter again and asks me, in front of a room full of strangers - how did my cancer get discovered, and wanting to know "my story". Seriously? I am NOT discussing that in front of all these people sitting here bored eavesdropping? OMG, just hook me up and go away already!! UGH!
Finally my infusion was running, the usual routine of fluids, steriods, chemo and mannitol. Then the 'extra' goody bag of magnesium infusion with my final bag of fluids. The time could not move fast enough for me - as usual, I was the last patient left to leave for the day. Funny thing - MY nurse didn't even acknowledge that it was my last round of chemo. No fanfare or congratulations. But the nurse that successfully put in my IV - he was the only one to say hey - it's your last dose! Well done, hope we don't see you here ever again! It was nice to have someone else see that it was a big deal :)
One thing I have noticed over the past few weeks. With the radiation - there is a bell that every patient is encouraged to ring to acknowledge that they've finished their radiation treatment. But with the chemo - there is nothing. I've seen several people who have said as they're leaving that this was their last round of chemo, and no one makes a fuss. I know cancer is a bit of a weird thing to make a fuss over. But it's the little things that count, especially when you're whole life seems focused on your treatment plan and endless countdowns.
So anyway, woohoo! Yay for me!! I have survived my five rounds of chemo and made it through to the other side. I'm almost at the end!! And I could not think of a better way to finish 2013!
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