I scanned my patient card and settled in my chair. I decided to stop for coffee before coming in and SO glad I did. This was the first time I actually made time to do so. I pulled out my electronic Yahtzee game and watched as the nurses arrived to begin their work day. I wondered if they really knew how special they are to so many of "us".
Nurse Regina took care of me today. Nurse Karen was the other one on site and in the same chemo room. On the other side of the hallway, it was Nurses Tracy, Dawn and Bev.
All my angels
It was smooth sailing and the nurses reminded me that I will need to get my port flushed every 4-6 weeks. It is hard to explain, but it gave me comfort knowing that I would get to come back and see them. Nicole, the pharmacist, stopped by to wish me well and I asked how long I would need to keep the port in. She said that Doc Esther usually kept them in patients for a few months....even up to a year. She is a new mom and the conversation easily moved to photography and my all time favorite ~ Shutterfly. I am still planning on creating a piece for display at the center.
Once the chemo was done, I collected my things and gave hugs to Regina and she led me to the scheduling desk for the port flushing. I got it for Jan 15 when I come in for my follow-up with Doc. Karen found me and gave me good-bye hugs as well. She is special to me.
My sister will also have these amazing angels to care for her
I decided to go across the hall to find the other nurses and say my good-byes. Doc Esther was there on the computer and she watched all the exchanges.
Then she said, "Why don't you go see Kim and have her schedule to get the port removed."
"Really!?" I was shocked. "Really!?" I said a little louder.
"Yes," she said. "I don't want to have to write out any more work orders for you."
Happy Dance! Laughter! Delightful squeals!
So, I made my way down the hall and Kim scheduled it for next Thursday, 20th. Naturally, I turned right around and went back to the chemo scheduling desk to cancel the flushing. Wow, what a turn of events.
As I was driving to work, I was trying to wrap my brain around everything that had just occurred over the past 2 hours. With the clear results of my one year mammogram/ultrasound , I realized
I'm no longer a cancer patient
I am a cancer survivor!
I am one of God's miracles!
