treatment #4 - updated version

Tuesday 24 March, 2009

All went well the my 4th treatment yesterday. Prior to the treatment, I had a PICC line (a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC or PIC line) is a form of intravenous access that can be used for a prolonged period of time) inserted because of the problems they had getting my vein last treatment.

This time, I had Victoria, her friend Caitlyn, and Wanda come with me. I'll write more tomorrow night.

I am off to Victoria tomorrow for an appointment with the cardiologist, and two tests - an ECG and an echo cardiogram.

I would love to show you some pictures, but I think my anti-virus is keeping from doing this. I'll look into that later.

Cheers,
Jackie

Monday, March 30, 2009

Did I say I would write more on Wednesday night? Ha, I guess that did not happen. What a week I have had. I have to catch you up on all that's happened, and there has been plenty. Firstly, let's begin with last Monday and the pre-chemo doctor's appointment. It all happened so fast - first I was sitting in his office, mentioning that I did not like getting poked 5 times to get my IV in, and can I do something about it. I thought he would suggest that I drink more water or take a vitamin or some other equally simple solution. No, he says that we could put in a PICC line. I had heard of one before, but didn't really want one. One more reminder if the sickie I have become, I guess. Anyway, the decision was made for me to get the line inserted on Tuesday, right before chemo. OK, well, can I think about it, please. Did I mention that I'm quite a chicken? Did I also mention that I like to research things to death and you aren't giving me enough time?

What a horror show to get the darn thing. Wanda, Caitlyn, and Victoria waited in the hall for what was supposed to take 5 - 10 minutes, but took 45 minutes. Another 4 pokes later and my arm is a mess. They could find the vein and could insert the nedle, but could not get the line in the vein. After three tries, the suggestion was made to try it in another place without freezing the site first. Oh, why not? Ouchy, but it worked. I am now the proud owner of a PICC line.

The actual chemo procedure went very well. We played cards - a french game we all played when I was a kid (thinking of you, Dad) called "Mille Bornes". Who can forget "coup-fourré? Lucas had made some goodies over the weekend for me to take with me, and the girls had fun offering them around. "My brother made these, and he's 13." Sisterly pride, very cute. My appointment was later in the day than it usually is, and I finished around 4:00 pm. Norm came by to pick us up (Wanda had to dash off to work) and home we went. It was a long day, so we decided to skip Girl Guides and just stay home to chill.

Wednesday was another busy day. There was popcorn day at the school, then back to the hospital for a dressing change on the PICC, then to school again for a PAC meeting. Luckily, it was a short meeting. I was home by 8:30 and all ready for a day in Victoria.

Thursday morning, I dropped off Lucas at Diana's house at 7:30 am for piano lessons, then picked up Wanda for our journey to Victoria. It was quite a pleasant day. We got there in plenty of time for the 10:30 ECG appointment, which was followed by the cardiologist's appointment. One comment I have to make about the ECG tech is that she refused to give me a blanket or a gown. I asked for a gown, and she said she didn't have any, then I asked for a blanket and she told me that it was only her and I in the room. Some people. The cardiologist, Dr. Higginson, and his resident were fantastic. They both were very kind, thorough and open to questions. I left there feeling that all was not lost. My heart will go on - sorry, I couldn't help myself. The ECG looked fine and that there is every reason to see my heart return to it's previous function. They asked me many questions about any symptoms I might have, and I really don't have any. That was all very encouraging. We had time for a quick bite to eat, the off to the echo appointment. Thankfully, all these appointments were in the hospital - no running around. That test was a breeze, and I did get to cover up. It's an ultrasound of the heart, so while the tech was doing her thing, she asked me if I had a pacemaker. No, I told her. A catheter maybe? Oh, yes, my PICC. She told me she could see it on the monitor. I asked her why, if she were looking at the bottom of my heart (would that be the ventricle?) can you see something that's resting on the top (atrium) of my heart? It has moved down into the heart, she said. Yikes. That does not sound good. Nothing to do about it now. I was done by 1:40, and we were ready to shop. Wanda and I picked up a couple things and escaped rush hour (not something we normally have to contend with here) and were on the road home by 3:00 pm.

Lunch - oh yes, we need to eat. I had heard about a great restaurant in Duncan (half way home) called Bistro 161. It's downtown somewhere, but I needed directions. I remembered my new favourite thing - "Google 411" and called to get directions. For those of you who don't know about Google 411, it's wonderful and free. Simply dial 1-800-GOOG-411 and ask for the business in question. They will connect you and give you the address. Super, easy and very useful. I got out my cell and dialed. I was connected to Bistro 161 and the lady who answered the phone gave me lovely directions. A bit confusing, but I managed to follow them. I mentioned to her that we were on our way from Victoria and had heard about her great restaurant and would like to stop by for a late lunch. We're on Trunk Road and would be there any minute. My stomach started to rumble. We found a parking spot out front and walked through the vined archway. Wanda noticed the sign on the side of the building that stated the hours: 11:00 am - 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm. It was 3:40. Uh oh. "I'm sure that's an old sign. They must be open, I just spoke to the lady". We walked in , saw one other couple dining, and the hostess walked up to me and said, "Sorry, we're closed." "But, but, I just called you and you gave me directions." Laughing at another example of silly people, we ate at the local chicken place and came home.

I needed to stop by the Nanaimo hospital to get my dressing changed - the PICC was bleeding quite a bit and I wanted someone to look at it. As I was sitting in my chair, I told the nurse about what the ultrasound tech said. The nurse pulled up my file and looked at my results from today and decided to pull out the line by a couple of centimetres. Very good. I am impressed by how the system works. I just walked in the door at 7:30 pm when Dr. Dunne called and told me that the ultrasound tech called the cardiologist who called the oncologist who called him about the problem with my travelling PICC line. Boy are they efficient. I let him know that Medical Daycare already pulled the line back by a couple of centimeters, but he wanted it another 2 cm. He made me an appointment for Friday.


Friday - what's on the calendar? Can I sit down yet? Pizza lunch at school, an interview with the school advisor, and then to the hospital to get my PICC moved. All good. I got to the hospital around 2:00 and they were ready for me. In fact, they had been talking about me. "Did Dr. Matsuo do your PICC? He was telling us about this super hard line he had to put in. Judging by the bruising on your arm, it must have been you." They put me on the table under the imaging camera to see where the line had moved to. They pulled up another couple cms and I'm out of there. Easy peasy.

Friday night was mother-daughter night at Wanda's house. We ate pizza and watched "Twilight". I slept through the whole thing. At least I didn't snore, or they said I didn't. Either way, I'm happy!

On Saturday, I slept in until 7:30. Yeah. Victoria slept at Caitlyn's and they took her to her babysitting course first thing in the morning. Evelynne was at a sleepover, and Rosalie was at Girl Guide camp (which I was supposed to be at). Norm picked up Evelynne, sold donuts with her at Wal Mart, I dropped off Lucas at a friend's house, then nothing for a few hours. Phone rings. It's Victoria. Are you coming to get me? The class finished at 3:30. Oops - I thought it was 5:00. Bad mom moment, again. Kanon's Dad gets on the phone and offers to drive Victoria home. Thank you. Kanon stays over night and in the meantime I have made delicious "Surprise Buns" for Rosalie's soccer party. By this time, I am feeling less than 100%. We go to the party, but I am so tired.

The wind on Saturday night was so wild. I thought our house was going to lift off. I felt like Dorothy on the Wizard of Oz. I hardly slept at all. On Sunday morning I woke up feeling crappy. The muscles in my chest and back ached, my heart was kerthumping along, and I was tired. I lay in bed all morning long. I have not done that since my first treatment. Feeling a bit better, I dragged myself to the Gardner's house for a spring BBQ. What could be better that hamburgers on a grill, salad and roasted marshmallows. I felt like I was on the way back.

This morning, I woke up feeling like myself. I took a nice shower with my new shower gel, and feel like a million bucks. Norm's been working like a slave cleaning house and now we are off to do some errands. First stop - the hospital to get my PICC flushed. Man, I'm getting sick of that place.

As soon as I figure out how to post pictures on this new computer, I will get some up. Maybe even some of me, posing as a Chia Pet. Oh yeah - I had to shave my armpits this morning. Isn't that great?

All right, here are they are:

Victoria, me, Caitlyn at our best

and again

Victoria and I

handing out the goodies

Chris, Caitlyn, and Victoria with Lucas' delicious cinnamon loaf

my fancy new PICC line

passing the time