SITTING AT CHEMO

Here we are . . . Sitting in the "chemo" room with the other cancer patients just killing time while the chemicals kill the various cancers. It's a quiet place. Most people are sleeping or at least trying to sleep. Ger has this down to a science, eyes shut, mouth open an occasional snort. He is snuggled up in the recliner, blanket tucked under his chin and just as comfy as can be.
You are probably wondering how comfortable a cancer patient who is undergoing chemo can be.  VERY!  The drugs used now a days are a far cry from even two years ago. And the doctor we have is a genius when it comes to mixing different potions depending on how Ger is feeling on any particular day. Because the first round of chemo totally threw Ger under the bus and knocked his socks off our doctor has chosen different course for this second round. She is going easier on him and things are a lot different this time around. Of course, we are smarter this time around and are more aware of what we should be looking for in the way of side effects and problems.  So far, so good!!  Ger felt great last week when he finished chemo but as the week progressed he felt a little more "off" with each passing day. By today he felt LOUSY when he got up and having misunderstood the nurses last week he wouldn't take any anti nausea medicine. We got that straightened out today. We really need two sets of ears at all times.  When Ger talks to the nurses he hears only part of what they are saying and unless I am here to question a lot of what is said goes by the way side.

But, back to the chemo room . . .  When I walked in last week I thought something had happened here.  There is "police" tape, (the sort you would see at a crime scene), everywhere in the treatment room. Then I realized, it is decorated for Halloween.  Not only do these 3 nurses have to care for twenty something patients but they find time to decorate! These women are running the entire time we are here. Machines are constantly beeping to let them know that bags of fluids need changing, moving, replenishing. The nurses have to monitor each patient to make sure the are feeling OK and are not cold, nauseous, hungry, thirsty, or anything else. The one thing that IS missing is ringing phones. That is a welcome omission along with the lack of TV! No TV and no phones make this one very welcome place to be if you have to be here. The nurses are so pleasant and kind and aware. Chemo need not be a bad experience at all with these great women taking care of us.