Friday, October 03, 2008

What Happens During the Treatment

My friend Shirley asked me in the comment section some questions about what goes on while I'm getting treatment and it occurred to me if anyone was searching for the info, it might help them know too if they are curious before starting treatment so I decided to answer her questions in a post.

You've probably heard me speak of the life port. It is what caused me to stay in the hospital a few days as it had a blood clot in it. My surgeon that put it in says it can happen about 20% of the time. I was put on the blood thinner and it dissolved so I can still use it. The purpose of it is so that they can put the drugs in through it instead of having to stick you each time in your veins. So when it works right, it is a wonderful thing. It is a little gadget inserted right under your skin, in your upper chest. IT has wires that are wired into veins. This frees your arms up and so you can have freedom to move your arms whereas you couldn't so much with the IV inserted straight in your veins.

In the room there are big soft recliner chairs and you can sit or lay back. Their are TV's and you the room is open with little partitions, and you usually share your little space with another patient. Most people sleep because of the drugs. When you have to go potty, you just tell the Nurses and they help you push your IV stand to the bathroom, so no big deal there.

They have juice and other drinks they offer you and if you are there at lunch time or supper, they bring you a sandwich tray.

So, Shirley, even though you are confined to the chair, you certainly can move around a little and you don't have to lie down all the time, so it isn't too bad. You can read, play cards with a friend, sleep, watch TV, listen to your ipod or books on on CD.

And so that's pretty much it.


10 comments:

Anonymous said...

My goodness, how familiar that sounds. I feel a little silly talking about Ms. Persnickety when I remember all the sickness in the world. I am crying out to God on your behalf this morning because I have watched a loved one go through the same treatments. Hope you have a great day!! blessings of peace and mercy, Jen

Robbin said...

Oh Jen, don't feel guilty, you know life is full of little challenges and big challenges, but still they are challenges. I enjoyed reading your Ms. Persnickety post and how you handled it with humor, made me laugh and that was a blessing for me. My blog has to be full of what I am going through right now, cause that is all I know, so reading posts about something other than what I'm going through helps me. I hope for you a good day. And as always, thanks for your good wishes for me.

L'Adelaide said...

robbin, you "sound" like you are still feeling pretty good! are you?

lovely to hear it if you are...thanks for sharing the experience...it doesn't sound too uncomfortable with the port and I see why they do it...your veins would get pretty worn out, going through that every week!

have a good day...keeping you in my thoughts as I try to get things done before it rains!

Tammy Brierly said...

I wish I was there so we could hang out and make time fly. XXOO

Robbin said...

Hi Linda, yes, today I've felt pretty good. We need some rain down here badly, sent of some please. Hope you are feeling well.

Robbin said...

Hey, Tammy, wish we could too. I'd love that. I see I missed a call from you today, I had to go get my shot around late this afternoon. I'll email you soon.

Michele said...

Your description is quite similar to Mom's chemo experience except that she is in one large room with perhaps 10 other patients, and there's no tv. That surprised me a bit, guess they would rather keep it quiet? Mom usually naps or reads, that's what I see most of the patients doing, or chatting amongst themselves. I guess you make fast friends in such situations, right?

xoxoxoxo

Robbin said...

Rapunzel, you do meet new people that you can connect to. We compare side effects, lol. And you also can appreciate your own situation, there are some really sick people sometimes in there.

Memaw's memories said...

Robbin, thanks for telling us/me what goes on. I guess I just thought you were stuck in one spot for hours and not able to do anything. But it sounds like it's not too bad. I know you are making the very best of this situation. I hope your fog doesn't last too long. And just one more treatment--woohoo for you. I'm very glad to know someone who is so courageous. May God bless you every day.

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