Chemo #8. So far, so good. There are eight infusion nurses, so I’m slowly learning their names. Today was LiliAnna. I met her last week when she checked my chemo. She is from the Philippines and has a beautiful smile. She showed me a game she likes to play: “4pics.” I think it’s an Android app.
I was told last week that they could leave the IV in my port since I was going to get an MRI afterward. This would avoid digging for veins in my arm in the MRI room. Of course, I didn’t know they had a different needle for chemo and MRI contrast, so in retrospect I should have said something to LiliAnna before she accessed my port. Lesson learned. This resulted in two pokes in the chest instead of one, but at least I didn’t have to get stuck in the arm. She apologized the whole time she was sticking me the second time, but she didn’t know.
The MRI folks had a cancellation, so they got me in early. As long as I finished before five and could get back upstairs to a chemo nurse, she could pull out the IV same day. Otherwise I would have had to come back the next day. The MRI team are not certified to do this. It sounds simple enough: just pull it out, right? Apparently Not. The port is a direct line to a major artery, so there is a special certification nurses have to achieve in order to access it and remove the IV. They have to flush it with Heparin, ensure no bacteria gets in, cover it, etc. It only takes a minute, but it’s important to do it right.
I arrived back upstairs at 4:55 and asked to see the nurse. A new lady sat at the front desk wearing long, fake eyelashes, high stilettos and a short mini skirt looked at the clock. “It’s five and we’re closed” was her unempathetic response. I pleaded, “I’m sure if you just call back and ask them, they would be willing to help me out so I can save a trip. It only takes a minute.” Reluctantly she called the nurse while rolling her eyes. And of course LiliAnna called me back. We finished before 5:00. I was so glad I didn’t have to make another trip, and more importantly I wouldn’t have to sleep with an IV sticking out of my chest. Thank you Lili, and thank you Lord for the cancellation!
I should get the results of the MRI tomorrow.