Day minus 1(2nd January (Just catching up as we start this blog))

- Going into Heartlands Hospital - Ward 19 

John wrote:

17:30 My last meal at home. Felt cold - feverish and shivering.
18:30 Sue drove me to hospital and arrived in good time. But the paperwork had not arrived yet. For a moment thought I might have made a mistake about the day. But it was soon sorted.
And I was into a round of tests. Blood pressure OK. But temperature 38.3 - try the other ear 38.5.  I prefer the first reading. But Doctor needs to be called.
Try TV and reading my new Kindle(Christmas present).
23:30 :  Lights out, well kind of - they have to keep a light on in the ward for health & safety - but it is shining in my eyes keeping me awake. 
Midnight : Doctor comes to give me an examination. I seem to pass.
Still can't sleep because of the light

 Sue wrote:

Took in a big bag of clothes so John could get dressed  in the day and feel "normal". Nurse tells me to take home  shower gel and razor.  
Noisy windy weather and did not sleep too well.

Day 1 (3rd January) - Hickman Line Day

Sue wrote:

During the morning: Waiting for news that the Hickman line op has gone alright. Much relieved when John phones at 12:15. He is back on the ward, and says all is well and he is fitted up.

John wrote:

5:45 - early light breakfast.  Lovely mug of tea. Everyone else gets Full English. Dead jealous.
Nil by mouth from 6:00.Temperature now 36. Everyone is happy.

9:30 Big day One.  Taken to Radiology theatre to fit the Line -  2 Doctors, 4 Nurses and 2 assistants. Not a white coat to be seen - all looking like Police Motor Cyclists in their radiation jackets.  And another 5 times I get the third degree – Name , number, date of birth, any allergies. But best to make sure they’ve got the right man!

Back to the ward, and now the pills start. There is a pill for everything that the chemo will mess up.
Then the value of the Hickman line becomes clear. Drugs go in, and blood samples come out. And lots of flushing and cleaning, all to be done in the right order.  Hope the nurses are not so over-worked that they make a mistake and do things in the wrong order.

  Sue wrote: 

 Visiting early afternoon: John now thinks he will be more comfortable in his pyjamas.Take home all the clothes that we took in yesterday and leave him having the first of 7 days of chemo-therapy. He will be on the drip for half an hour

Day 2 (4th January) – Chemo plus 1 Day

John wrote:

No bad effects felt so far from two days of chemo.  
Hickman line started to look bloody, I have visions of waking up in a pool of blood. But nurses are not worried.  It is just settling down, bloodiness no worse than would be expected.

 Sue wrote: 

 Visiting early afternoon: John still in good spirits. And has already had his second dose of chemo therapy. That is a three  hours earlier than yesterday.
 He has been following the comings and goings on the ward. Only 3 of the 6 who were in yesterday are still there today. Every time someone leaves they spring clean the area before a new patient moves in.