I mulled over this decision up until the hour before time to leave. My husband was ready to take me. I was scared to commit myself, but would have been angrier with myself if I decided to have my husband take me. It was time to take the plunge. And I did.

 

What a morning it turned out to be. I wished my husband were there!!! I was greeted with smiling faces from the staff as always. My favorite nurse was going to get me started. The way the nurses know if the infusion needle enters the port correctly is if there is a drawback of blood into the syringe. Well, the first time it didn't work and they shifted the needle around some hoping to make a good connection. No luck. The second person tried but wasn't able to access the port. They called a nurse down from the lab with the same type experience. I know this because I asked her. I was now very nervous.

 

It doesn't feel great having the needle put back into a tender part of your skin. Now I was wishing my husband was there for support. Can you believe she was not able to get the needle in correctly? I had tears in my eyes and felt like a big baby. The three were talking over what to do next. I ended up at the X-ray department. They needed to check to see if the medi-port had possibly flipped over. They said it doesn't happen often but once in a while. OK, maybe I'm that “once in a while.” The X-ray showed it was on the correct side but was slightly tilted. A longer needle would need to be used. Instead of the standard ¾-inch, a 1-inch needle would be needed.

 

I do not like needles at all. It would have been better not to tell me this information. Again, I asked this doctor who was inserting the needle his experience. “Well,” he said, " I implant these all the time." OK. I prayed for strength, knowing it would hurt. I was sore already from everyone else trying to access me. I was flat on my back. I felt the big sting, a little discomfort, and then it was done.

I was emotionally drained. Wished my husband were there. It was a long walk back to the infusion room. Once back, everything else went fine. I received my treatment and lunch. I'm usually gone before lunchtime, but the events that took place lasted longer than expected. They told me that next week when I arrive, if after the first time if it doesn't work, that I will have to lie flat to have it done again.

 

I'll be ready next week. My husband will be there mainly because it will be my last chemo day. Yeah! And by the way, I drove home safely. A little bewildered, but on my own.

 

My Faith will keep me strong and my Family will make me smile. Life is good

Surviving Step by Step