Chemo 2.7: The Waiting Game

Off once again to chemo... we might as well have been stuck in traffic. We went to grab a couple sandwiches to go (this is our new thing, we take our lunch with us to give us something to do while we sit there), and the line was long, the service slow, and we were irritated. Finally make it to the hospital and we have to wait in line to get Michele's blood drawn. No big deal. Then we wait to be called back to the chemo room. And we wait. And wait.

The whole time we can't help but eavesdrop on the two older ladies next to us complaining about all the things that have changed since they were young. Did you know you can't even smoke in restaurants? And you have to wear seatbelts? And kids, even if they're in the backseat, have to wear seatbelts! "Why, when we had kids, we would throw them in the bed of the pickup with the dog, some bottle rockets, a road flare, and some chewing gum and head for the UP and they were fine." We were cracking up.

Finally, after 45 minutes of waiting Michele asked what the hold up was. Apparently they were short a nurse and running behind. Ugh.

Eventually we got in and got a semi-private space. Michele got her warm up drugs (steroids, Zantac, Benadryl), and then we were waiting on the pharmacy to get her chemo drugs ready. Yes, they were running behind too. Ugh. We had a nurse whom we had not had before, Karen. She was quite nice, but was not gentle when she pushed in Michele's steroids and Benadryl. Usually they push it slow... a little at a time. She just pushed it in, leaving Michele pretty looped for a little while.

After that things started to roll along. Drugs, drugs, drugs. We had our lunch, talked, read, and for the first time at chemo Michele actually got a little sleep. We were off in a corner alone so she was able to relax and take a quick nap, which she needed.

There was a lot of waiting, but we got out of there around five and ahead home to have dinner and play with the little one. Michele seems to have slept OK last night, so hopefully she will feel good today and get to work in her garden. Rock 'n roll.