Not such a good day, but my bargain find cheered me up!

I was not really sure whether to be a little scared or not about today. I must say though I AM sick of being prodded and poked, so was not exactly ecstatic about having a line shoved up my vein and into my chest. 

The PICC line is to make it easier for me to have my chemo and blood tests. It can get infected which is the down side but generally if its flushed out every week and you cover it up in the shower it should be fine.

I had some local anesthetic cream put on my invisible veins and went off for an hour.  

Back at the hospital and the nurse started the preparation. My arm was numb.. ish, but I could still feel enough to not find the experience very pleasant. I would like to just say.. I have no pain thresh hold and get woozy very easily. It might be a piece of cake for some people, so if any one reading this has one of these done remember it might be better for you.

It took three attempts to put the cannula in. I was getting impatient as it was hurting . Joe sat behind my head while I was lying there. He was great, trying to distract me by talking to me and holding my arm so that I could dig my finger nails into his arm. Finally she managed to get the cannula in. I was not really sure what she was doing next as I was not looking. I thought she was putting the PICC line up as I felt something go up my vein. She said I would not feel a thing so was worried. It in fact was a wire to help push the line up. I did not like this one bit and this is what started to make me feel woozy. 

I really thought I was going to pass out but I managed not to some how. I would be so embarrassed more then anything if I had! The worst was over and she pushed the line up. While this was happening Joe had noticed my chest and said "Jesus look at the size of your tit!" We all laughed, it did look huge when I was lying down but it actually is not big at all. It was obviously the first time he had really noticed it.

I had to go to X-ray to check the line had been placed correctly. It had not, much to my dismay. I just kept thinking there was NO way I was going through that again. I looked at the X-ray, it had looped round right at the top of my chest. The nurse said without having to pull it all out she could pull it out a little and It should JUST be OK. So she started pulling it out. Not handling the pain very well, it brought tears to my eyes.

Once again I had to go for an X-ray. Praying it was going to be OK this time. The X-ray nurse went off to check it. She came back with an expression I was not sure how to take and said to go back to the cancer department. I thought that was a bad sign and was expecting the worst. There really was NO way I could do this again. 

After a little wait the chemo nurse came and told me it was OK, but JUST. Phew!!! I was so relieved. A simple procedure turned out to be one of the worst things I had experience so far. However It will be worth it as it means no more needles for the blood tests, chemo and antibiotics. She dressed my arm and I got up. My arm still very sore and still feeling light headed.

We were both happy to get out of there. It had been a horrible 5 hours. I really do not want to scare anyone that might have this done. Like I said I am an absolute wimp with a very low pain threshold. For example I used to faint when ever I hit my knee on something. I mean COME ON! My family used to find this quite amazing.

So we had some of the afternoon left so Joe treated us to lunch at my favourite tea rooms in Hove, Ethel's kitchen. After stuffing our faces and enjoying drinking fresh loose tea out of bone china tea cups we headed off to the charity shops. I LOVE charity shops! Joe is obsessed with VHS and bought 10 videos for under a fiver.... He's just asked me to tell you that he has an extensive archive of VHS...... what a GEEK!  I however was excited at my brilliant find..... The best of Jackie for just £3.95!!! Bargain! This made my day! The 70's illustrations have to my fav!

Its my lovely friend Lou Lou the Elvin princess's birthday tomorrow. I am very excited that I am going to be going out for the first time since my birthday! I can not wait to dress up...... and don't worry mum I wont be drinking the equivalent to a whole bottle of Vodka.

A night of 90's and 80's flicks are on the agenda tonight me thinks!