Ok, so for those of who actually took the time to read the blog which detailed every minute of my life for the duration of the stem cell transplant, (and no, I didn't actually expect any of you to read it in it's entirety! :) ), it began today. If you would pull out your Lucas schedule quick reference guides, today was catheter placement at 11am, and another fun-filled spinal tap at 1pm. So, I just wanted to update you all on how that went.
First of all, the catheter was supposed to be very similar to the procedure when the port for chemotherapy was put in place. I was to be given a mild sedative and pain med, to put me in what's called a "twilight" state. One where I can't feel anything, and am for the most part "out", but could answer questions, etc. When I had the surgery to have the port implanted, this "twilight" sedation knocked me the fuck out...which as I'm sure you know, is okey-dokey by me!! So, that's what I was expecting today. Flash forward to me laying on the table with cloth over my face, betadine on every inch of my chest, and bob marley on the surgeon's radio, (actually it was the radio tuned to Dave FM, but I was happy with their current selection). The anesthesiologist is explaining the "twilight zone" to me, and then she begins to give me the first drug, that in her words would put me in an "extreme relaxed state". As she's injecting it into my IV, she says, "Huh...it doesn't seem to be going in. Let me see where the tube might be kinked". So, she finds the "kink"...according to her, and injects the twilight stuff followed by the pain meds. I notice no change. Last tie I was given what I'm sure were the exact same drugs, the next thing I knew I was waking up in recovery. Again, I'm not supposed to be asleep, but that's what I was expecting. While what i experienced next was not nearly as bad as say a frontal lobotomy with no anesthesia...it certainly was not pleasant. I could feel a lot more than I would have liked to...and was by no means in an extreme relaxed state. Oh well...it's done. Now, for those of you who are wondering what this catheter looks like, and what the procedure to install said catheter entails, I will elaborate. Here's what one looks like, and here's a really crude drawing that some really smart second grader did of how the insertion of said catheter takes place. It's just like the port...a tiny incision is made to access the jugular vein. Then a larger incision is made below your collar bone, and they begin to tunnel through your skin towards the jugular vein. Then the tube is inserted into your jugular vein. The part of the catheter that sticks out of your skin, has three "lumens"...see first pic. Since the catheter goes into your jugular vein...blood can be drawn from one lumen, while drugs are infused simultaneously infused through another, etc.
With the technical aspect aside...I'm sore. I don't remember being sore from the port implantation, but I'm told I was. Which is weird, because this was supposed to be much easier...oh well. I'm sore nonetheless.
Tomorrow I have to be at the clinic at 7:30am to begin my "mobilization chemo". Which will stimulate my bone marrow to release the stem cells. Remember I love chemo, so it shall be fun.
More updates to follow...and say it with me..."CANCER SUCKS"!!
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