Wednesday 11th January 2012 - Chemo day! Hadn't really slept too well , so was up , showered , and fed quite early . I had to put a plastic sleeve over the PICC line as I showered and thought -"that's me for the next six months , or it might be three !" Claire , Bill and I then made our way in to the hospital - a half hour drive away. Claire dropped us off and went to search for a parking space - a rare sight in a hospital car park! I had taken a few things with me , as I had been warned that the cold would affect me post chemo . So I had a scarf , hat , gloves , and furry boots , with an extra pair of socks - I wasn't taking any chances ! I also took some DVDs with me to watch , as I was told the infusions lasted at least five hours , my Nintendo DS with Puzzler games , and my trusty ipod as well. We reported to reception and sat down. I recognised one of the patients in the waiting area- she was a patient of mine in dermatology and was receiving chemo for breast cancer . She was surprised to see me there , and I was sorry to hear that her cancer had spread to her spine . although she was upbeat about it and was in for more chemo. My appointment was 10 am , and I was taken round about that time . The nurse introduced herself and led me in to a treatment area with six bays with lounger chairs in each bay . I was surprised at how open it was . I wondered about privacy issues , but saw that there were portable screens there if required . There were a couple of patients already hooked up and receiving treatment . They nodded and carried on reading . I was told I could choose where I wanted to sit , so I chose a chair next to a woman who seem quite friendly . I felt a bit lost , not knowing where to put things , but she soon put me right ! She started to tell me that she had been receiving chemo on and off for seven years ! Then she proceeded to tell me her life story , even although I never asked . I understand that some people need to unburden themselves , but at least let me get my coat off first ! The policy of the hospital was that , if it was your first treatment , your family could sit with you . I didn't really like the idea of my husband and daughter sitting beside me for five hours while I was getting pumped full of poison , so I gave them permission to go for a walk or do some shopping ! Rosie , who was working in the adjoining unit , brought me round a portable DVD player , so I was good to go !
All the nurses were lovely and very busy ! One nurse came over and said she would do my PICC dressing and then start an infusion of glucose , as my chemo was not in the department yet . My doctor came in and told me I would be getting the six months of chemo rather than the three months - I kind of expected that !
I put one of my DVDs in to watch , and used my earphones from my iPod- didn't want to disturb anyone ! All the DVDs I had brought were comedies . Well , they say laughter is the best medicine , and it boosts the immune system - just what I needed .

My first chemo-Alaris pump at the back

DVD player just sat on my bedside table

My chemo had arrived in the unit , so two nurses came over to check details with me , then it was started off - the steroid and anti sickness infusion first . The tubes were fed through an Alaris pump , which counts the drips and basically tells you if there is air in the line and the volume infused and the volume remaining. I thought to myself - " Is this it? I never felt anything at all ". Because the PICC line was in place , and there was no restriction in arm movement , I could just carry on as normal watching my DVD and playing with my Nintendo .
The tea trolley came round and I took a cup , but it was rotten ! "Need to remember to bring my Scottish Blend with me next time" !
The alarm in the pump started to bleep as the first lot of infusion was complete- now for the big boys ! The two nurses again asked for my details and checked that they tallied with the information on the chemo bag and prescription  sheet . The Oxaliplatin was then started off . I was advised I could get up and wander about at any time , especially as I would probably need the toilet after all this fluid ! I actually felt fine during the infusion and enjoyed watching my DVD of "Gary Tank Commander"- makes me laugh every time. Claire had bought me a DVD called "Summer Heights High", an Australian "mockumentary" - very funny!
After a few hours  , the Oxaliplatin was nearly finished , so the nurse said I would get a bolus infusion of 5FU and then get fitted with a pump of 5FU which would remain in place for forty eight hours and would be removed by the district nurses. Oxaliplatin finished , line flushed , then same questions again - got to be done - then the 5FU infusion was connected up to run over ten minutes .

The dinky wee 5FU pump-it collapses as it infuses

Ten minutes later , after the same questions , the wee , dinky 5FU pump was attached to the PICC line and I was given a bum bag to carry the pump about in .
I must say that I never felt uncomfortable , either physically or emotionally , at all the whole time I was in. The staff were excellent and efficient . I had expected to be vomiting all over the place , but I never even felt nauseated . I was given a three day supply of Domperidone tablets  , and Dexamethasone  tablets to counteract the nausea . The nurse said she would arrange district nurses to come and disconnect the line on Friday afternoon .
I was given a booklet to chart my chemo administration and take note of any side effects or after effects. I then got all my protective layers on and wrapped the scarf around my mouth- I wasn't taking any chances - Oxaliplatin can give you a feeling of shortness of breath if you breathe in cool air , and can be quite frightening .
Next stop , home !!