Unpronounceable medicines and Olive Oyl

 Well, the Cytarabine has been dripping into my veins for a couple of hours now, I was mistaken about the second medicine, which is Idarubicin (I'll bet you could stump some folks at a spelling bee with those names). The Idarubicin is actually delivered by IV push, but at a rather slow rate. My first dose of that one was the first to go in. Then they started the Cytarabine via IV drip. 

The whole process is metered by a special pump on the IV stand. I will be connected to this lash-up for seven days, it's like getting a new friend that you're not so sure you like, but you have to hang out together for a week. 

Ah, here's my skinny friend now. I call her Olive Oyl. We go everywhere together. She's a bit of a bother, but they tell me she is going to be a life saver in the end. 

The chemo experience so far seems like just an inconvenience. They tell me that I am just embarking on a roller coaster ride of messed up bowel habits, periodic fevers, nausea...you know, all the things that make life miserable when you're sick. But if it will help make me well I'm on board. 

Jill stayed long enough to see me get all hooked up and then she headed for home. I think she is exhausted, but she would never admit it. 

This evening brought a new night nurse, Yang. She is very thorough and very knowledgeable. She drew blood, which will happen every 12 hours while I am hooked up to Olive Oyl. As of now, it is critical to monitor all of my metabolic processes so that swift intervention can be made if something gets out of whack. Liver and kidneys can be damaged by chemical changes in the body caused by the chemotherapy. So, this is a very complicated process. 

I will be interested to see how I feel in the morning. Right now I feel just fine, if a little restricted by the ties that bind me to Olive Oyl.


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