It's a go...

As I have mentioned before, chemo was originally scheduled for Dec 6 however, due to my recent infection it was moved tentatively to Dec 13 and it's not just the 13th, it's Friday the 13th! Luckily there is no full moon that day as well because chemo is a GO for Friday (the 13th). So, Monday was the first day I was released to drive since my first surgery that took place on Nov 4. I will say that it was not as easy as I thought it was going to be. Not that I couldn't drive but driving just wasn't easy and I was really sore afterwards. Of course the soreness did not stop me from making a stop at Target BY MYSELF after my blood work shenanigans to determine whether I would be having chemo. Shenanigans meaning that I didn't just go for blood work once, I had to return a second time. I was not planning on going to the Cancer Center twice in one day. Ryan has gone to EVERY appointment with me but I did not feel the need for him to take off work just for me to go have some blood drawn especially since I was now able to drive myself. Plus, I knew I wanted to stop at Target on my way home and he is never excited about this since I absolutely cannot get in and out in a timely manner. Anyway, not only was I to get my blood drawn but I had to meet with the NP (Nurse Practitioner) so that she could check the site where my infection was to make sure it was reddened or swollen before I had chemo because if it was the blood work didn't matter because I wouldn't be having chemo. My blood work appointment was at 1:45 then I was to see the NP afterwards. So, I arrived at 1:40 and signed in and waited, and waited, and waited. Of course while I waited I looked at Facebook, Pinterest, ESPN, Facebook again, Fox News and Facebook again as if anything had changed and every time a nurse would come out I would throw my phone in my purse because I just knew it was my turn but every time someone else's name was called and out came my phone. Finally, around 2:35 I thought I heard my name called so before standing up I looked around to make sure no one else had stood up to go back. When I realized that yes, my name really was called I threw my phone in my purse and went back. Once back there, the NP came back, examined me and stated that it was ok to move forward with chemo on Friday. Then, the topic of discussion became my hair. First, the fact that I had chopped it off, then the fact that it was highlighted purple :) I explained that it has faded considerably because Ryan had claimed it was very Katy Perryish when I had it done but they liked it and thought it was fun! I told them that I had recently gone to Macys and when paying for something a girl complimented my hair and then asked if I did it for fun. I wasn't really sure how to answer that question other than "yeah, I did do it for fun" but really, what kind of question is that? What if my hair was always purple? I mean, I like it and would do it again. Anyway, after getting the go ahead, another nurse came in to draw my blood. It seems like now that I only have one arm to work with my veins don't want to cooperate. She did however get it on the first try but the flow began to slow down quite a bit which is never good. I just knew it was going to hemolyze (when blood cells rupture and are no longer functional meaning they can't spin them down to run the tests). After this I was on my way. I had one stop to make before going to Target then head home and while there I received a phone call from the Cancer Center. Well, it was a nurse calling to tell me that my blood had hemolyzed (what do ya know) and I had to come back for it to be drawn again. So, within 45 minutes I was back at the Cancer Center getting my blood drawn, again! This time I was stuck twice. The first time she missed and dug around for awhile until I finally told her that she wasn't going to get it and she should probably try another vein. That is exactly what she did and of course she got it. Thank goodness because after being stuck 3 times and having band-aids all over my arm I was done. I am hoping that as planned the port will be placed sometime between my first and second chemo treatment because the IV needle and catheter is a little larger and of course fluid will be infusing and I really don't want it to infiltrate and have to be stuck multiple times. Not to mention, that chemo can cause tissue damage and with only have one arm to work with in the future, I just don't want to have any issues. Ok so, like I said, it's a go and my first chemo treatment will be Friday and it will last approximately 5 hours so it will be a long day! I'm ready though :)