I've come a long way these past few days. I'm drinking again, I can take my chemo tablets and I'm eating ice cream. On the downside, fluid retention has caused me to develop some massive cankles. Honestly, my feet and legs are that swollen , they wouldn't look out of place on my 600lb life.
The 31st was a rough night as my heart rate and temperature spiked and I had to have a sepsis screen. The on call Dr was there and had no idea about my background, so I had to explain my whole story up to that point. I should have let her read this!
Part of the sepsis screening test is to take blood through a canular. I'm sure there's a reason, but they've insisted on using the right side of my body. It's no exaggeration to say this has been attempted approximately 50 times and only once successfully. My veins started playing hide and seek once the treatment started but my pleas fell on deaf ears.
I was also getting concerned they would want me to take my chemo tablets again. I did not feel capable.
I asked to speak to the Dr before attempting to take the tablets. I explained everything about the sepsis screen and the multiple failed attempts to get blood. I just felt the Haematology consultants listened to all my concerns and took them on board, whereas certain others had no interest in my opinions. The Dr assured me everyone would treat the right side of my body as a no go area, going forward. If something's causing you extra discomfort and you're not happy about it. Challenge it. Speak up!
The Dr also encouraged me to take my chemo tablets (there's 5 by the way). I somehow managed to force them down. I coughed the last one back up, caught it, put it back in again and swallowed it hard saying "get down you bastard," as I did so. It was not a pleasant experience.
I'd started drinking Fortisips at this point. These are small, high calorie milkshakes. They aren't the best but at least I'm getting some calories in my body.
On the 1st of February I was settling into a good routine with the Fortisips and I was managing the chemo tablets. This has been helped by a 3 times a day mouthwash routine where I rinse with 5 different mouth washes. It seems to help with the pain in my mouth and throat. That and the morphine!
I've recently been able to manage ice cream and yoghurt. I'd pre-ordered some ice cream for my tea. My partner came to visit and, through sheer exhaustion, I was nodding off in front of her. Then I had my ice cream, got some kind of sugar rush and was up dancing about! Weird.
I slept well that night, as I didn't need as many treatments as usual. I've had a lovely visit from my Daughter in her Snow White outfit. Also, I now have a buzz cut, as I couldn't be bothered with it coming out in clumps. Oh and I've managed ten minutes on the exercise bike today to try and help shift these cankles.
Bye for now!
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