Well, I've spent an interesting 20 hours or so trying to 'nurture' some decent veins for another attempt at chemo today!

I am sitting wrapped up so warmly in the Central Heating, after a hot bath, sweating for England and frantically drinking water and squeezing a pair of small rubber balls!!!

If this lot doesn't work, nothing will!!

Found it ironic that most of the useful info I got was from sites for drug-users:( !!

Brenda,
I am so sorry. I know the last two chemo tx's mom had were so hard on her. There was only one nurse who seemed to be able to help her. Her veins in her arms were ballooning up as you had described, finally they went for the wrist and it worked. Have they tried that area for you?
Good idea to check out a site for drug users, surely they would know. Would never have thought that one.
God bless you. I have tears in my eyes thinking about the pain and discomfort you surely must be in. You're in my prayers.
Donna

Donna,

I had the 2 most experienced nurses in the place looking/patting/trying--in the end, they gave me all the advice about keeping warm etc. and said to go home, rest, drink water and try again today!

It worked--first poke and I was 'up and running'---the cocktail was anyway!--and I feel more confident about next week's final 'bag' if I can just get this same vein we found back into good enough condition!

Sometimes it's the little things that get you down.......

Brenda

Hello Brenda,

I admire your strength and perseverence (excuse the spelling, computer slow and if I check spell check I won't get back to you for days!!)
You are an incredible woman!
I remember my mom on the last day of her chemo, this poor nurse came in and started pricking at her. Finally mom pulled her arm back and said get Clarise, you don't know what the hell you are doing! I was so embarrassed...until she looked out the doorway and said she (meaning the nurse) shouldn't be allowed near humans. I wanted to disappear! Mom is never like that but I guess when you go through all what you and she have had to --well, it's ok.
You are facing so much and yet...you still come here and share with all of us. I admire your strength, and will.
I wish all of us could somehow get together and meet each other. Wouldn't that be great?
Someday, we will all meet....I have faith in that.
I hope you have a restful day. Take it easy.

Well, I arrived at the hospital today, trussed up like a Christmas pudding!
Actually, didn't have a hat on!
The nurses said I'd done the right thing--nice juicy vein, straight hit first time, good backflow and infusion rate!

Managed to get gloves, fleece jacket and wooly jumper off before the 'bags' were hooked up!

Downside was that I spent best part of the 3 hours trundling back and forth with my drip-stand to pee all the water I'd 'taken on board'!

I may just be passing through Philly at some point at the end of October, God willing...........
love to you and you mum Donna,

Brenda x

Brenda,
If you do come to Philly, please call me! I would love to meet you!! Philly is only less than an hour to get to. I complain about doing the run 5/days a week-after an accident I had in 2003, people not paying attention tend to scare the hell out of me. Well, looking at that trek on a bright side, aside from helping my mom, I think it helped cure me. At least now I don't cry as I drive! I've gotten back to being able to do hand gestures and mouth off. >>>>haha! only kidding.
I'm so happy everything went well yesterday!
Get some rest this weekend.
Love to you,
D