Chemo Cycle 1 - Transition

So here we are, chemotherapy day unit. Ready, and reluctantly willing. I’ve been super nervous about today, as I suspect most people are before embarking on their chemotherapy journey. I’ve been showered with love and support by my nearest and dearest as always. The girls didn’t want to go to school today so they could look after me (but remember I’m a nurse, so, unless your arm is hanging off you’re going to school!!!!).

I have had the ‘day 1 talks’ and been issued with lots of leaflets and a very highly tech thermometer (sarcasm, think made in Taiwan!!). The nurses have all been amazing and I’ve even been fed. My friend Janet who's also having chemo recommends the soup (cheers JP), I’ll be having that next time (it’s the little things!!).

Given COVID rules I have to come alone to these appointments, luckily I’ll talk to anyone, and bless the man who came and sat opposite me, I can imagine he’s questioning his choices right now!! (Sorry Brian). I have a puzzle book and a reading book with me, but to be honest I’m happy people watching. It’s a hive of activity and the nurses are kept going the whole time.

It’s a weird thing ‘being on the other side’. The transition from nurse to patient is an odd one. I’ve ran these corridors on cardiac arrest calls, I’ve walked them transferring patients to CT scan, I’ve almost crawled them after some nightshifts!! and now here I am, sat with my name-band on, totally in the hands of other nurses. Luckily this means I also know that I’m in the hands of the best profession on earth. I appreciate I’m biased but nurses are a special breed (Given we can sometimes hold 2 litres of fluid in our bladder, superhuman!!).

I was born into 15+ years of operations and hospital appointments due to having a cleft lip and palate. So 13 operations later what else was I going to be? It also means I’ve spent my entire life in hospital, wether on one side or the other, and here I am again (I’m like a bloody yo-yo!!). So transition seems an apt word for today, and it hasn’t been too bad all things considered. But the next few days will tell how I’m going to respond. So, until the next lot in 3 weeks from today (I wouldn't be surprised if Brian chooses another seat next time 😂).