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Woe is me!

Well, I thought I was doing really well. I took my temperature every day  and I was fine, despite having a cough and feeling really tired.  After a few days I woke up feeling a hundred per cent better. So what happens when I take my temperature? It was 37.4.  Oh. I waited ninety minutes and took it again. 37.6. I phoned my nurse friend just to let her know I was phoning the hospital. She agreed, as I could be neutropenia.  To be sure, I took my temperature again and it was 38!!!!   I phoned the hospital and was told to come in.  I went to the day ward, where all my immunotherapy treatments will, be so at least it was like a recce! The only problem was that the whole IT system went down, so I ended up staying there all day. I had bloods done and swabs taken. All eventually came back clear. I was checked out by the doctor, who found a bit of a crackle at the bottom of my lungs, so he gave me some antibiotics and sent me home.  I have to say I was shattered, doing nothing all day so much
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A girls night away!

As a thank you to my friend for her support, I had booked a night away in Chester. We go every year to  the Grosvenor hotel in the city centre, as a treat for our birthdays, but this time we were staying just outside the city.  We had a great time but during the day I kept getting the electric shock pain in my hand. It happens intermittently, turning the car key in the lock, carrying a bag , lifting a drink up to my mouth. My friend was concerned and so I explained what had happened in more detail.  She explained that the phlebotomist must have hit my radial nerve, but she was worried that it was getting worse, not better.  What makes it worse it that this is my good hand. I was injured many years ago and lost  some of the use of my left had, so I rely on the right one completely. I really hope it gets better! When I got home I decided to phone my specialist nurse at the hospital and let her know. 
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The aftermath

Two days later, on the Friday morning, I had to return for another blood test. This was to check my platelet levels for the weekend and I might need another transfusion.  I was a bit apprehensive, after my last experience! This time the same phlebotomist asked if a 4th year medical student could take my blood. I agreed, as I always think they need to get as much practice as they can, but I said there was no way the blood was coming out of my wrist!  I explained to the student, in front of the phlebotomist, the reason why and said the pain was worse than childbirth! I was trying to make light of it and she said I'd never let her forget it! We do have a good relationship, but I must admit that I have lost confidence in her.  Anyway, she instructed the student how to use the equipment and then how to draw the blood out of my arm. He was brilliant and I had no problem with how he did it and I told him so. He was really pleased at his success. I felt it was important to tell him it was
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The transfusion

On the Wednesday I want in for the transfusion. I have never had one before so I had to be seen by a doctor, who would explain the procedure and the risks.  He was very good and even gave me a leaflet to read. I was impressed with their thoroughness.  The transfusion only took half an hour but I had to wait an extra fifteen minutes to ensure I didn't have a reaction. I didn't so that was me down and I went home.  I must say that I felt better straight away. I hadn't realised how tired I had felt!
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The agony!

On the Tuesday, I went for my blood test, back to the suite on the ward where I had the rituximab.  I have never had a problem in giving blood, but on this occasion the phlebotomist said she couldn't get blood out of my right arm.  She then moved down to my wrist, near to my thumb. As she inserted the needle I had a shooting pain down to my index and middle fingers. It was like an electric shock and I don't know how I didn't jump off the chair! I have never experienced pain like it and she immediately apologised but carried on and took the three phials of blood out.  Even afterwards, my hand was sore and and tingling, depending which way I moved it. Fortunately I had been dropped off at the hospital, so I didn't have to drive home.  I was told that they would check my platelet level and let me know if I needed a transfusion the next day.  I went home and later that day when I was babysitting I got a phone call from the hospital. They wanted me back there for a transfusi
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After effects

Once I got home I decided to rest for a day or two, to see what would happen, if anything.  Two days later I began to have itchy skin, so I self medicated with my prescription anti histamine and it soon stopped. Three days later I started my usual injections, to increase my white blood cells. They finished the following Monday, exactly a week after I had left hospital. These were given to me by my nurse friend, who thought I looked pale.  The revious day, when I had got dressed, I had noticed tiny blood spots on my chest. There weren't many, but when I checked, I found that they were a side effect of cytarabine. I was glad I was going for a blood test the next day. 
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Day 4. The last day!

Well, yesterdays lunch came back to bite me. I had an upset stomach and felt really rough but it went off by lunchtime. I couldn't eat anything so I just had tea and biscuits. It must have done me good as I felt back to normal at midday.  The ward rounds only take place in the afternoon on a Monday so even though I could go home I had to wait for my prescription. A nurse came to do my obs and unfortunately my temperature was up to 38! This means more bloods and swabs needed to be taken. I became very uneasy at the thought of not going home tonight.  Eventually the tests came back fine, the specialist was quite happy for me to go home so I just sat and waited - and waited - and waited! I felt as though I was going stir crazy and had still not had anything to eat. All I could think of was opening a tin of Heinz spaghetti, something I rarely eat!   Out of the four days in hospital this was by far the worse. At least on the other days I knew what was happening.  I left the ward at 8.20
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