The Port is in Place

Today, I completed the next step in the process to eradicate cancer from my body. I was up bright and early because I had to make sure Hannah was up. To my surprise she was already awake with teeth and hair brushed when I went to wake her up. Those of you that know Hannah know that pigs are flying somewhere! Thankfully, we did not encounter any "frozen fog" on the road...or in the air this morning. There was still some residual ice on our porch, steps, and bridges, but nothing we couldn't avoid. 

Since this is Hannah's first waiting room experience...I think, I did not make her go sit in the room all alone. She got to hang out in the main area with all of the other people, but she had easy access to a bathroom and food if she wanted. I made sure she knew that they may call her, so she needed to actually answer her phone. She was supposed to work on her Discussion Board assignment, but I think she slept. Anyone who knows Hannah will agree with that statement!

I didn't really think it would take an hour and a half to go from check in to ready, but it did. I got set up, dressed, under lots of warm blankets, and hooked up to all of the things. Then I got to sign all of the lovely 'what if' paperwork. At this point, I don't even read any of it. I get it there are risks, but there are risks if I don't do it. 

So, they wheeled me back to a room that had all of the radiation signs everywhere. I got hooked up to more things and then strapped down to the table. I was mostly ok with that. I started having problems when they set up the tent thing. Basically, there was a surgical thingy that covered my face and eventually pulled up enough for me to breathe. Breathe is what I did...probably a little too fast, because the alarms started going off. I don't do well with things covering my face. I got something to relax me, antibiotics, and fentanyl for pain. Then shots to my neck and chest to numb stuff. I wish they could numb it before the numbing shots. It was NOT fun and did in fact hurt. I don't think I fell asleep, but maybe I did. 

I got back to my room. They brought me coffee and Hannah. As you can see, I was pretty drugged in this photo. We hung around long enough for them to feel like I was good to go home. 

They wheeled me out to wait on Hannah to get the car. I said bye to my check in lady friend on the way out. Then I got in the car with Hannah and prayed we would make it home ok. I was told no driving or making important decisions for 24 hours. No worries about that. Although, I should probably wait until the drugs are out of my system before this update and probably should have had someone keep me from taking horrible photos.

The big question is - how am I feeling now? Yuck! That is how. I am about to go dig out the anti-nausea meds they gave me to use during chemo. I also kind of hurts. It is a weird feeling to have something implanted right under the skin. It makes me feel a little creepy. My neck and chest feel like they have been beat up. There is already bruising there, so I imagine I will be a few shades of purple and blue tomorrow. 

The rest of my day will be mostly spent trying to feel somewhat normal...whatever that may be. I will be drinking a lot of water to flush out the meds they gave me and I may try to sleep off the nauseous feeling. Hannah is cooking dinner tonight. I think we are having chicken and sweet potatoes. Too bad dinner is so far away! I am kind of hungry. 

Again, everyone at Methodist that I came into contact with was so nice and helpful. They even gave me a pillow to use with my seatbelt. 

Next up- Chemo on Monday.