Last night, Patrick and I watched a super depressing cancer movie called "Now is Good." We went to bed late and then Bella got in bed with us at about 1:00. At 2:00am, Makenzie woke up and was whining, crying, and wanted to get in bed with her pillow (which is long and skinny), a necklace, a nightlight and its cord, and the iPad. Holy bananas. I just wanted to sleep. Eventually, I moved Bella to the foot of the bed and that sort of worked. I needed the humidifier since I've been catching a cold recently.
Today, I had my MUGA test. Our insurance has been giving us some issues, so it's been a mess getting this thing ready to go. But it finally happened after a long day at work.
A MUGA is a test for my heart. http://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/diagnosing-cancer/tests-and-procedures/muga-scan
They had to draw some blood, mix in some tracers and radioactive material, and then put it back in and scan me to see what it did, specifically with my heart and how it worked.
Well, apparently lymphoma patients have awful veins after chemo. I think I am the perfect example of that. Last week, I had a check-up with Nancy from Dr. Rich's office and when they went to draw blood, just to run some basic tests, it took two nurses and three tries. Then one had to spread my arm and apply pressure while holding the needle in place, while the other got the viles. I left with a rainbow on my arms from the pretty gauze.
Today, there was a student working in the radiology dept and doing everything with me, with supervision, of course. I told them my veins aren't good, and he couldn't get it to work on his first try, so he asked the supervising fella. He just called in a snazzy nurse who is good at what she does. (Or maybe he did try it first... Goodness, I can't even remember.... I think he tried it.) anyway, she tried twice, left some sweet bruises, and called in another nurse. He tried twice, left two crazy bruises, and then stopped. They put my arm down, put the tourniquet on super tight, sang happy vein songs, and the veins just kept getting blown. So they called in a couple ladies with an ultrasound machine. They used that ultrasound to find a deeper vein. She tried twice and finally got it on the second try! Seven (or eight?) tries later and we were successful! She had one lady twisting my arm to the side (since I couldn't bc of my wrist surgery) and everyone else in the room helping with supplies or well wishes. It was such a feat!
They got the blood and I sat as still as I could for half an hour while they mixed it with the tracers and radioactive stuff. I didn't want to blow that vein too! Finally, they put the blood/radioactive/tracers mixture back in, flushed with good ol' saline, and took the needle out! Woohoo! I felt so bad that it was taking so long. I wasn't mad at anyone and it wasn't actually that uncomfortable, for the most part. It hurts more now than it did earlier haha. I felt so bad that something that should've taken ten minutes took over an hour. I'm sure it was exhausting for everyone involved, not just me.
There were only two series of scans, but I had to hold my arms above my head. I hate doing that. It's sooo uncomfortable, tightens up my neck muscles, and since my surgery, it was just hard to do. But twenty minutes, not too shabby!
So the MUGA is done! I found out that last week, they missed one of the tests they needed to run with my blood so they need me to come back. Ah! After today's adventure, I am just not thrilled about that. I can't even straighten my right arm right now and I have a couple really hard, bruised spots. But I'll do that. Sigh. And probably go back next week for my MUGA results anyway.
I'm totally pooped and I wish it were Friday, but I'll survive. I'm icing my arm and I sent my family to the pool so I could rest on the couch. I did learn today that all these vein issues could become another issue if I ever get pregnant again, including my ability to get an epidural. Eek. Don't know for use, but eek. Someone is gonna have to teach me how to breathe. Haha!
In other cancer news....
I had two people send me emails today about a friend who was recently diagnosed with Hodgkin's. I think these two totally separate people were talking about the same person (based on their description of said friend). What are the odds of that? It's interesting to me how this really is now a part of my identity. I don't mind, though, because it has had such a huge impact on my life, and if I can help someone else, that's even better.
I didn't intend for this to be a super negative post. I just wanted to document today's test and adventure. Happy Hump Wednesday.
