Just received my first cycle of Vinblastine chemotherapy today. Would be so good if this one works to remove the cancer from my bone marrow so i can start making my own blood again. At least we are trying new things, better than the "time to give up" suggestion I got last month!
There was a new Doctor covering on the day ward today and she approached me while I was having my chemo and challenged me over my request to have a unit of blood today along with a unit of platelets. This is a situation that arises nearly every time there's a new doctor on the day ward that does not know me or my situation.
I was quite annoyed at having to explain yet again why I like to try and keep my counts as high as possible and she certainly gave the impression that she was going to deny my request.
Then she pulls out a note from Paula, the doctor that is usually covering the day ward and tells me that it says that "Ron can decide on his own blood requirements". I growled at her and asked why she put me in a situation of having to justify my decisions when all the other doctors give me a free rein.
"Oh I just wanted to get to know you" she replied. "There are other ways" I said "than making me stress over something that wasn't even an issue"!
Doctors.. why do I have to bang heads every time I meet a new one?? Rant over.
So far the chemo hasn't made me nauseous, I'm not expecting it to either.
I'll update next week.
By all accounts my daughter Ashleigh and husband Michael are having a great honeymoon travelling around Taupo, Napier and everywhere in between. I look forward to seeing them again on Thursday when they return.
...Ron
