Yes I did, I just played the cancer card

Today was chemo day and per usual the pharmacy did not have my meds ready on time.  They were only an hour late today.  Again Marty went home to work, and came back later for me.

I order my Lovenox (blood thinner) online and then plan to pick it up on chemo day.  Because it is prefilled syringes it can not be mailed. Of course it is never ready and we have to wait, sometimes over an hour.  Sometimes they don't have any and have to order it.  Then we have to come back in a couple of days.  That is why I always order way before I am running low. When we arrive to pick it up, then they tell us sorry.  Hello, let me know before hand.  We have decided I am the only Kaiser patient taking this drug.  Other Kaiser pharmacies never have it in stock either. 

I had ordered online, picked the pharmacy I wanted, and clicked checkout.  We were sure it wouldn't be ready, but went to get it after my chemo infusion.  We check in and guess what, order not filled.  I was pissed off.  Sweet gentle Marty, who never gets real mad, was livid.  The clerk was going to check if they had enough or if they would have to order it. 

She came back and said yes they had enough, but it would take at least 15 minutes to fill.  We have already waited 10 minutes. And the line to pick up is about 30 minutes long.  Been there often enough to know where you don't want to be standing.   It is past 1:30 and I haven't had lunch because of chemo running late. My sister in law says something like, " Never get between a Triplett (maiden name) and food."

I am tired, hungry, and have my I hate Kaiser Pharmacy pants on.  This is not going well.  I tell her this happens ever time we come.  Never ready, why should I bother ordering on line as they ask patients to?  She says she will have them call my name when it is filled and I won't have to stand in the pick up line.  This will only take 15 minutes.  Then I did it.

I looked her in the eye and said, "I just came from chemo and I am fading fast!"  She walked over picked up the Lovenox and let me pay at her window.  I did not lie, I did not exaggerate, and I did not become a screaming crazy woman.

I will save my other cancer cards for other stressful stupid events.  It worked and I know I can't abuse these cards.  But if you've got cancer, you might as well use it to your advantage.  Hmmm wonder if I could score reservations at fancy restaurants?

Chemo problems and a health update.

Monday I had lab work.  I was emailed the results in a little over an hour.  I didn't think they would give me chemo on Tuesday, the platelet count was not in the normal range.  But they didn't call and cancel me.  They said though low, still in a safe range.

When I checked in Glenda ( Kaiser clerk who is blog worthy ) told me the pharmacy was running an  hour late.  But they would start me on the anti nausea meds, take vitals, and start the saline IV.  That was fine with me.  The anti nausea has to be taken 30 minutes before the chemo, so not an issue.

WRONG!!!!

Two hours and 45 minutes later the chemo meds finally arrived.  The nurses were going crazy.  All the chairs were full, the waiting room had people, they were backed up and nothing the nurses could do.  They would come in my room and see if I wanted to watch TV, did I need something to drink, was I OK.  They kept saying they were so sorry.  I  told them not their fault, but I did want to yell and curse at someone.  I asked if I could curse for them. 

Once I had my two bags of chemo, Marty picked me up and took me to lunch, at 2:30.  I was starving.  And just a little tired.  Who knew sitting for hours could be so tiring.

I haven't had any bad side effects other than being very tired this week.  This week the tiredness didn't ever really get better.  Even today I feel tired.  As I have said chemo is accumulative and this was the last treatment of a three week round.  Next week no chemo, so I will bounce back I am sure.

My appetite is good. Chemo brain is still a problem, I do and say some dumb things.  I am walking nearly every day for 30 minutes.  I cooked most nights this past week, and when I didn't cook I washed up the dishes.  I even changed the sheets all by myself.  So I am doing good.

We are planning a couple of trips this summer.  I was surprised the oncologist OKed them. One of the trips is 2 1/2 months out.  This is huge for me.  I have made few plans over a week out.  I pretty much just try to get through each day and start over the next day.

I plan to talk to the doctor again about to church.  She has let me go to out eat, ride BART, and says I can fly for one of the trips.  It seems strangers are safer than friends.  Strangers don't hug me, touch me, kiss me.  Strangers just are there.  It has been suggested if I go to church that I hang a sign around my neck that says, Do Not Touch.