The journey continues

Now we're back in the regular routine, but this time around there is a different feel about proceedings. This time, the chemotherapy seems to be geared around smaller, sharper doses, and some of this is administered by 'pushing', which is injection into Vicki's central line, instead of via a pump. Some is still administered using a drip, but unlike previously Vicki is not permanently connected to some drug or another. This gives her greater freedom to move around the ward. The chemotherapy is leaving her a little lethargic and has suppressed her appetite a little. These are normal side effects, which we need to watch carefully. The harsher side effects, if they come, are more likely after a week or so.

Part of monitoring the effects her treatment is having on her liver and kidneys is that any of her output has to be measured and tested. Without being too graphic, this means taking the output to the sluice room where the medical staff do what they need to do. This is quite a strange thing for any parent (especially of a teenager!) to do, so I always find myself looking around at just about anything else to take my mind off the job at hand so to speak. Whilst on one of these visits to the sluice room, I happened to notice a sign on the wall. It was a "Bristol Scale", which I have so say, broke the tension of the moment and made me laugh out loud. I urge you to google it and not have some kind of reaction!