A couple of weeks after hearing the news I had cancer I received an appointment for the Haematology clinic. The day arrived and I had absolutely no idea what to expect regarding the treatment I would need to treat my cancer. Clinic ran late . I eventually got in to see my Consultant and Clinical nurse specialist plus three other nursing staff. It felt like I was attending a board meeting! The Team explained my diagnosis in detail.. I had Non Hodgkin's High Grade Lymphoma Diffused Large B Cell..The bulk of which had been removed during my operation. It was attached to my liver,spleen,left kidney and aorta. It was also weaving in and out of my small intestine. I also found out I was "growing" two smaller tumors in my groin. It was then explained to me that I would be receiving eight cycles of R-CHOP chemotherapy over about six months with a scan after four cycles to see how things were progressing. I had two weeks to wait before commencing the chemo regime. but before that I had to have Blood tests and be weighed. I also had to have a Bone marrow aspiration. I had no idea what that entailed, which in hindsight was probably a good thing! To say it is a painful process is a wee bit of an understatement! Luckily I couldn't see what was going on but apparently the consultant used a corkscrew type tool to drill into my hip bone to get the sample he needed. A nurse offered to hold my hand during the process. I made her cry because I squeezed her hand too tight! She was ok though. And after resting for a couple of hours in the day area , so was I. The Clinical nurse specialist came to see how was getting on. She then asked me if I wanted to give a "sample" because the chemo was going to make me sterile. I asked how this would be taken.. I was a bit nervous after the bone marrow collection! She explained that I would be given a plastic tube for the specimen, a "magazine" and about 5 minutes! I enquired if a nurse would be available to help? She said "not on the NHS love... Maybe on BUPA but not here! We both collapsed in fits of laughter.. I actually felt better and the gravity of the whole day had evaporated.. Oh I declined to give a sample by the way!..
I received the date of my first cycle of chemo...December the 21st... Happy xmas!
