Catheter and negative side effects

Yesterday after the procedure (to install a catheter in my left side neck) we moved some of our stuff to Joanna's house, which is where this picture was taken. We will be quite comfortable using her home and it is within 10 minutes of the hospital with light traffic, but probably will require 15 at other times.

The procedure only required about 10 minutes, but preparation took much more time and it is quite uncomfortable. It will be used to collect the stem cells possibly starting tomorrow. It also wil be used to transplant them after some intense chemo a few days after collection.

A platelet transfusion yesterday morning and general reaction to the drugs and chemo have left me constipated and nauseous; so much so that I cannot keep eny food, or drink down. More pills and Miraflex were prescribed this morning to combat these ills with little effect thus far. I didn't sleep good last night, possibly strange bed effect, but more likely the lack of food and general discomfort.

All of the nurses and other hospital employees are very friendly and helpful and it almost a pleasure to go see them almost every morning. The picture on the left is of Elaine one of the clinic nurses. She draws blood and takes vital statistics. There are half a dozen or so Infusion nurses and I am going to add some of their pictures from time to time.

Todays visit was for more blood work to determine how close to collection I am and when they found that I am not yet ready they gave me another Neulasta shot, which will promote the transfer of the stem cells from the bone marrow into the cirulating blood stream.