I should be used to this now for the 3rd one but I still have a lot of anxiety. Anything medical, hospital visits etc always worry me.
The week starts today with a blood test that I’ve already had done at 10am at Aldershot Centre for Health. This is probably the 20th time I’ve been “stuck” since the start of Sept. I always have to explain that I’m an awkward bleeder and to use the back of my right arm or hand. Today’s was a good one, the nurse drew blood first time (probably only the second time that’s happened) and I really didn’t feel a thing even though it came from the back of my hand.
You can tell when a nurse or phlebotomist is over confident as they always start with “I’m sure we’ll be fine” and go for the big vein in the crook of the elbow joint. Which for me is invisible. You see their confidence drop after the 2nd or 3rd stick. Always followed with a sheepish apology. I’m used to it now. Luckily I’m not scared of needles or blood.
The Blood test will be sent to St Lukes Cancer centre today to be analysed ready for my consult with Professor Pandha tomorrow. Because of Covid this will be a telephone consult.
He’ll ask me how I’m feeling, any side effects and look at the blood results for abnormalities that could indicate side effects I’m not aware of, eg with organs.
Assuming all is ok, he’ll give me the go ahead for the IV treatment back at St Lukes on Thursday afternoon. That will be another 2-2.5hr outpatients treatment of the two IV drugs. Then we wait 3 weeks and do it all again.
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