Blood tests & follow up face to face appointment
Good morning everyone., it’s still raining!!!
What a lovely surprise I received yesterday from friends P & T, a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Thank you.
Yesterday, I was doing some reading and watching videos about Myeloma. To my amazement, there are only approximately 21,000 people in the whole UK who suffer from Myeloma. I still can’t believe it.
Just to lighten the mood, and as promised, here is a photo of my regular healthy breakfast.
I have two appointments today, firstly a blood test, I wonder if they still want 6 tubes??? I had a blood test here last week and it was the best blood test experience I have ever had!! I didn’t feel the needle go in, or come out. Usually, you feel the needle but not this time.
The second appointment is a face to face meeting with my Consultant, CNS (Clinical Nurse Specialist) and pharmacist. I’m not sure if we all meet together or I get passed from one to the other. I have consent forms to sign, questions to ask and answer and then fill my backpack with a whole host of drugs.
I’m feeling a bit apprehensive this morning, I think it’s because I might get my blood test results today and they’ll be able to tell if the steroids are working, it’s also the unknown. I don’t think either of us slept well lastnight, but we’re ready for today.
No rain on the way to the station, just grey clouds, with the occasional appearance by the sun…
We arrived early, waited in their little cafe area before I went down to give blood. The wait after checking in was less than 2 minutes!!!
One appointment done, I’ve checked in for the second appointment so we wait again in the cafe.
We’re both doing the metroku, it passes the time!!!
When a patient is called, there are a couple of big screens which displays the patients name and which floor they need to go to. Worrying thing is that both screens usually go blank and everyone looks around totally lost!!! They come back alive within a couple of minutes so there’s huge relief of everyone’s face. As for me, hey ho…it’s IT…I’m use to it 🤣🤣🤣.
Don’t you just love people watching and listening…let’s just say that in a cancer hospital, people seem to be very patient 😜.
We’re home, totally dazed, currently on a rollercoaster of emotions, no idea whether to laugh or cry, I know which will win today.
Wow…the consent signing was fine, our consultant went through everything in detail and so happy with his full explanations, God I’m so glad we have him. He said one thing which hit home….you do your bit by keeping strong and healthy and let them worry about the medical care. My chemo starts on Tuesday morning. The process starts with tables, then injections into the stomach. I’m talking injections which take approximately 5 minutes to fully empty. Then there will be more tablets to take at home. The side effects include feeling exhausted, rashes from the injections and a few others which I won’t bore to with.
From there we saw the pharmacist who explained which pills I have coming my way, when I need to take them and the quantities. From taking no medication for years in end, I’m now reliant on tablets.
On the way to reception, the Macmillan charity care specialist took us to one side and explained what they do and even took us down to their Macmillan lounge on the ground floor. Here, we were met by a volunteer, an ex haematology care nurse who worked in the department for 20 years. Such special people, so much empathy and boy did they know exactly what to say. There’s so much support and yet I feel so undeserving. Throughout my life, I’ve always helped and treated other people like I would like to be treated, never wanting anything in return. All of a sudden this happens and I just feel lost. Without Nisha, I don’t even want to think about what kind of state I would have been in.
That’s my raw emotion for today. Not easy reading but it’s all from the heart.
If you would like to donate then I recommend:
Time for an early dinner and rest, we’re both emotionally drained, we’re on empty after today
❤️🙏🏽
it is a lot to take in, emotions are running high, the unknown is scary but once you digest everything and a routine is set, I think you both will be relaxed and less anxious and stressed. Alpa went through the same emotions and anxieties you have described. I reckon This blog will help reduce your anxiety/worries by 50% because you are putting pen to paper your every movement and worries. You both are strong and there is light at the end of the tunnel. Sending you lots of 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗