Day one chemo thoughts

Day one chemotherapy thoughts:

I’d been wanting to get a recliner chair for a while. I can sit on many at the hospital instead.

I wore things that people I love made or gave to me, so I had them with me today. A bracelet made by a child, brooches made or given to me by friends, a beanie from a friend, a hand crocheted blanket made by friend.

It took four goes to get the cannula in. I listened to Savage Garden while this was being done. Nurses are wonderfully gentle.

With the nurse’s advice, I decided against having the scalp cooling cap that can reduce hair loss, as Ichthyosis makes my scalp too tender to wear it and to maintain the hair after chemotherapy. I have many hats.

I met some wonderful patients in the treatment ward. All of our lives have been rudely interrupted. All of us were able to have a laugh.

I have Ambulance Victoria cover, and until last week, I was unaware that it made me eligible for Patient Transport to and from these hospital appointments. So I’ve been driven to hospital by Ambulance Victoria and St John’s Ambulance (no sirens of course) – it’s much less stressful than navigating traffic myself, there’s people to talk to (if we want) and it saves money on petrol and parking. (I’m not sure what other services Patient Transport covers – check with your hospital and doctor, and Ambulance Victoria.

The most common bit of advice I received from nurses, doctors and other people who have survived cancer is that exercise helps. So when I got home, I walked for about 35-40 min. I even went for a jiggly jog for two blocks/one Foo Fighters’ verse and chorus. It did feel good, moving in the brisk air.

I’m tired now, mostly in my bones, but I’m not sure if the steroids will let me sleep. I hope I can.

Images: 1. Carly, a woman with a red face, wearing a pink floral dress and pink and yellow beanie, under a colourful crochet blanket, in a reclining chair, with an IV in, smiling. 2. A beaded bracelet on Carly’s wrist. 3. Bandages and bandaids on her wrist after treatment. 4-5. White and pink flowers on a walk. 6. The sky at dusk – it’s pale blue with pale pink swirly clouds. 7. Carly wearing a pink & yellow beanie & a neon puffer.

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