And so it begins...

Morning funky friends,

Today is preparation day for Chemotherapy.

I have lots of fun things in store for me.

First will be the insertion of the PICC line. A "minor" surgical procedure where they thread a cannula up through a vein in my upper arm and across and down into my chest, ending in one of my major heart veins.

It's all done with smoke, mirrors, incantations to the Elephant god ... oh and some local anaesthetic, an ultrasound machine, and hopefully someone who knows what the fucking hell they are doing!!!

It all gets verified by an X-ray.

I may be getting my first dose of Chemo via a standard I.V. That should take about 90 minutes. I would confirm that but the information sheet that would tell me has gone AWOL. I know it was in my walker basket when I came home from hospital last Wed, but no sign of it now. *Sigh!* I will ask my nurse for a replacement.

And there's some sort of information session to sit through as well. It may go like:

You will learn!

"Now sit up straight boys and girls! Is that gum in your mouth Stephen Nicholson?" 

"No sister, a eucalyptus lollie."

"Well spit it now young man, or it'll be the ruler across the knuckles for you!"

 "Yes sister..."

"Godless pervert... Now children, all together now: Pall-ia-tive care ..."

All together about 4 hours. So it will be a long day. my brother Chris will take me in, but I'll probably get a taxi home. With a new funny tube sticking out of my arm.

Then, good goddess, I have to be up early tomorrow (Wed. 21 MAY) to get back to the hospital by 8:15 am to see my Gastroenterologist! Hopefully that shouldn't take long.

Never a dull moment when you're seriously ill - except for the dull moments while you're waiting for stuff.