Brachytherapy over – one more step accomplished – now to regain energy!
Today is June 15th, 2009 and a couple weeks of recovery have gone by since my brachytherapy.
I was asked to arrive at the university hospital by 2 p.m. – which I did, and was re-directed from admission to the 6th floor; where the only room available for this treatment is situated.
Routine blood work is anything but routine, when it comes to me – and once again, my body did not want to cooperate with the poor struggling nurse who was trying to be gentle and yet get the vials of blood she needed. A few jabs, and black and blues later – she contented herself with 4 instead of 6 vials which was her initial goal.
Nervous for the next day’s events; I was told there was a sleeping pill prescribed for me. When I asked for it later in the evening – I was refused as the doctor who needed to see me prior to the sleeping pill was in the O.R. and could not be disturbed. So another sleepless night of worrying was my experience.
Tuesday, two hours away from my surgery and still did not see a doctor. Had a major headache – stress-related I assume; tossed and turned all night long. There was also the regular ritual of cleansing the body, both internally and externally.
I had also asked for the keys to lock-up my personal belongings before being wheeled down to the O.R. The sun was shinning brightly on the horizon – from what I could capture out the hospital room window.
Also had a slight springtime allergy; accompanied by a small cough, and sinus irritation – all this thanks to the blooming flowers and trees. The dandelions had already turned to seed, and had shed their coat of yellow to what appeared as almost gray-white fuzz that was floating in the air.
I was thinking about our cat Pacha – I was hoping that he was OK and did not miss me too much. Again, with my hospitalization, he found himself all alone.
After having been wheeled down to the O.R. – the routine questions come flying at you by the attending staff – then into the room… once in there, and all installed, and almost ready for the good ole sleeping medicine, they realized they forgot to install me on a special backboard they use for this type of surgery. There I was standing in the room, filled with attending staff, my butt hanging out of my gown… was a very uncomfortable feeling, and another bout of nervousness came upon me thinking if they forgot that – what else will they forget…
When I woke in the recovery unit; I felt nausea, and very uncomfortable. The applicators or rods that were surgically put into place for the therapy were not comfortable at all – and I could not move on my own – as I was told not to move my pelvic area. If I did, the rods would move, and the treatment area would also move.
At 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, I was back in the special lead-lined room – waiting for the chemist to arrive and begin the treatment process. By 11:45 all was connected, and the next 40 hours of hell were to begin.
I asked for painkillers as often as possible – I did sleep a bit in the afternoon – but again was nausea, and my headache was still there.
The nurses were all very nice – and seemed to understand the treatment situation and the discomfort related to it. At supper time they brought me in a dish of food – which I refused – asked for Jello and Social Tea cookies – as well as a big glass of ice.
Every time the nurses would come into the room; that would add more time onto my treatment as the machine shuts down when the door is opened for their security as not to come into contact with escaping radiation.
Did not sleep very well at all – very uncomfortable – cannot roll or turn over – must keep same position in the bed at all times – and have to ask nurses to move pillows and such in order to be a bit more comfortable – also, the mattress was covered in plastic as all hospital beds are – and this just made it too hot and uncomfortable to sleep.
This just went on and on, until Thursday – when I heard the machine shut down – I was so happy – all I wanted was to see a doctor and the chemist in order to remove the applicators – and get cleaned up and out of there – into the comfort our bed that was awaiting me at home.
The hospital provides a television in the room – and that was a good thing – as I could not even get comfortable enough to read a book.
As I heard the footsteps of my doctor getting closer to my room, I was so happy – then the chemist came in about 20 minutes later – hooray! I was so excited to be able to wash up, get dressed and get out of there. Boy! That first step out of bed was a dozy! I was a bit shaky and dizzy on my way to the bathroom.
I was anxious to see my mother who came and got me and brought me home – as Chad was working - all I wanted was to be home.
I had a bad lower back ache for about 2 weeks after this was all said and done.
Now, the recovery process and the waiting…. I have to see one doctor in 3 months and my radio-oncologist in 6 months – I hope good news awaits me at these visits.
For now – I am tired – and have a much lower energy level than I am used to having.
