I had my third chemo yesterday.  It took ‘only’ five hours, and started an hour earlier than last time, so I was finished by 7ish.  Steph came to the hospital with me.  I have to say, chemo is more fun when there is someone there to keep you company.  And, also to get you food if you get hungry!

As per usual, I had the clinic appointment first, and the biggest news is the PET scan results!  My cancer has reduced significantly!!  When we were at, the Medical Day Unit, one of my doctors came and showed me the new picture.  I took a photo of the computer screen, please see below.  I was very pleased, at least I am not suffering for nothing; the chemo poisons are doing their job!

After the clinic appointment, we had some time to kill, so Steph treated me for lunch in Pret.  It was so sweet of her (thank you Steph!)

The actual chemo went well, no complications.  Motoko, my nurse was ever so efficient!  She also changed my PICC line with such speed and style.  I was impressed.  Steph and I killed the time reading the Ikea catalogue, and some other house design magazines, and planning the decorations of our new home.  After the busy weekend of packing, unpacking and moving, the chemo felt almost like a holiday!  Ruth came to pick us up from the hospital.  Again, it was amazing to get a lift home.  Thank you, Ruth!

P.S. We took some detailed pics of the chemo, please see below.

Steph in Pret.

Me just before chemo.

A pic of the computer screen showing my PET scan images, the new and the old. The one of the left is the new one. The very black areas are my heart and my bladder, but the darkened areas around the heart and my neck area are the cancer. That has reduced significantly if you compare the new and the old pics!

The first chemo drug, Rituximab.

This chart shows the step-by-step plan of the 'speed' my drugs are going to be given

The Rituximab takes the longest, about 4 hours. Plenty of time to study the IKEA catalogue.

Steph keeping me company.

The remaining three drugs the nurse, Motoko, needed to administer and keep an eye of. These three drugs don't take long to infuse, about an hour or so. Here she is infusing the second drug: Vinblastin.

The red drug is called Doxurubicin.

My view as the Doxurubicin is being infused.

The view from my chair.

The final drug: Cyclophosphamide.

There comes the 'poisons'...