It's 2:30 in the morning and it's about 12 hours until I get my central line out. I'm having trouble sleeping because as much as I hate this tube inside me, it's become like a part of my body, and I'm actually going to miss it. It's saved me from at least 100 arm pokes and IV lines, so I owe it some thanks at least. I'm also getting another round of immuno-globulin and most likely more fluids before the line removal. It almost seems like they're trying to get as much use out of the line while it's still there. I can't say I mind because that's one or two pokes I don't have to worry about. I'd be really pissed off if they took out my line an THEN wanted to give me an IV. Watch, now that I typed it out, that will actually happen.
I've got a great story on vomiting that's up next so for those of you uncomfortable with the subject, please avoid the paragraphs in red..
So, I woke up on Tuesday morning to Caity giving me my Anti-nausea pill. For me it seems to work better if I take it at 7 am so that when I wake up around 11 or 12, the pill has already taken on the nausea so that I can take my morning pills. If I take the pill at 12 when I wake up, I'm useless until about 7 pm. Well, on Tuesday I woke up and took my pill, but I felt very strange. About half an hour later I woke up to a level 9 on the nausea scale. To refresh everyone's memory, the nausea scale is a 1-9 with 1 being the least nauseous, and 9 being the "you've got ten seconds to get to a toilet" level of nausea. 0n Why no ten? well, I figure that a 10 on the scale means that you're most likely already puking so a rating scale at that time is rather irrelevant. A 10 on the nausea scale is like a nationwide nuclear war warning system that beeps to tell you that you're in the process of being vaporized.
Well I happened to do that same activity another 4 times throughout the day, and when I wasn't puking, I was wishing I could. I blew so many blood vessels in my eyes that I looked like I got punched in the face. The total food and liquids intake for the day was a glass of water, and a bowl of chicken soup which I ate at around 8 or 9pm. It looks like my body did a 180 degree turn today and decided that I was to feel better. I still woke up feeling like hell, but I assumed that it was severe dehydration that made me feel shitty this morning. As a result of all this feeling sick, I now have a ton of energy and it's 2 freaking 30 in the morning and I'm wide awake. Oh well, better for you since it gives you something to read about while you're avoiding work.
Well, no more talk about vomiting, let's talk about rashes. I seem to have finally got one. The bumps are the same color of my skin, and they reside on my wrists, and elbows. I have no idea why it chose those two spots, but I'm sure that Dr. Chaudry will be happy. He's wanted me to rash ever since I was in the hospital so this will be an early Valentine's Day gift from me to him. It's not too itchy, but every once and a while I need to rip into one of the bumps. Nothing, and I mean nothing is better than a good scratch don't you think? I would want that to be my dying wish if I ever go the way of the dinosaurs. One good back scratch before I die, that's all I ask. It's like the joy of ripping of an itchy scab. Even though you know that ripping the scab off will cause it to bleed more and increase the chance of scarring, I will rip off any itchy scabs I get. I've got a few scars left on my body from some of the bigger scabs I've pulled off in my life, but all in all it was worth it.
I'm going to try sleeping again, but before I do, I want to give a shout out to Adam, my 11 year old brother-in-arms who started his fight to beat Leukemia last Thursday. He's got a central line, and if he followed the same schedule I had, he'll be going through chemotherapy starting Friday. I want you to know that I'm thinking about you constantly in hopes that you get through this with flying colours. I know that I have only communicated with your parents, but I want you to know that I will be here for you anytime, any day. I'm only three months ahead of you in the journey to beat this disease, so I can still vividly remember everything you are about to go through. It's going to be worse than hell at times, but if you need me, even just to talk about your symptoms I'll be here for you.
FYI - Young Adam's parents have followed my example, and have started their own website. I will link it to my site if I get permission from the family to do so. Once I've got the website linked, I hope that all of you will open your arms and sent some cheer his way like you sent me. I admit that it was exhausting checking my email at times, but all the emails I got helped significantly in my recovery and morale while I was hospitalized.
Adam gets admitted tomorrow, most likely at the same time my line gets taken out of me. I'd go on about my nervousness with my central line removal, but there is a young man out there in Calgary somewhere that's got more important things to worry about. I remember how nervous I felt when chemotherapy first started and I feel embarrassed to whine and complain about a little procedure while I know what he prepares for a month from hell. At least it sounds like he's got a wicked entertainment system that can play video games and television at the same time. I highly suggest Mario Sunshine as a time waster. With my High school friend Pete Rainford giving you hints, you'll beat the game in no time.
You know what Adam? I think there are a lot of things you'll be BEATING in the near future. Kick some ass my young friend, kick a whole lot of ass.
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