Stuck on You

Today was chemo 13 so I guess it had to be a little unlucky, but thank goodness I got treated in the end.  The problem today was that my veins threw down on being stuck and prevented dear chemo nurses from A) drawing blood (to check my white counts)  B) from using the blood stick for the steroids/fluids and chemo bc they burned and blew out.  They finally got the fourth vein to take fluids without burning. My poor veins are a result of the bad vancomyacin drug from hospital, my age, and maybe not enough fluids. I do not fear needles, but I do not like burning fluids coursing through my veins. And the poor nurses had 41 chemo patients today!!!!!!  I tell you they are something else--kind, competent and determined to get you well.  (Too bad the port didn't work out. I only have 3 more sticks!).

If you have to to take chemo intravenously here are some hints:

1) drink lots and lots of fluids a few days before you go.  This seems to be the answer for many things and chemo. It makes sense to flush out toxins and to pump up your veins. I wanted to get fluids intravenously for next Monday but I thought sheesh, another stick. Maybe not worth it.

2) good nurses can take blood from many places. Cathy, an experienced chemo nurse, took blood and I got chemo through a vein in my hand a few weeks ago.

Only three more to go yay. C'mon veins you can do it.!