Chemotherapy: Visiting Dracula's Castle
Going into Seattle Cancer Care Alliance is kind of like going to visit Dracula's castle. I've never received so many gushing compliments about my veins.
"Ooh!" exclaimed the nurse who drew my blood, "You have great-looking veins. We don't see a lot of those around here."
"Your veins are BEAUTIFUL. Do you work out?" Asked the nurse who hooked me up for my second Chemotherapy treatment today.
I'm getting a little self-conscious about my beautiful blood vessels. If this TV thing doesn't pan out, maybe I'll be a vein model. Better than being a vain model, I guess.
Chemo went a little bit more smoothly this time around. I had a slight reaction in my vein to one of the four drugs that are injected. It was a sharp burning sensation, and I was in enough pain to order the nurse to slow down the flow of that drug from the IV a bit and cut it with a little more saline. After that, no problems. Only four more treatments to go, over the course of the next eight weeks. I will wrap up my treatment with about three weeks of radiation.
The doctor says my white cell counts are still a little bit lower than what is expected at this point in treatment, so I have to be careful of infection. I have to avoid crowds, and wash my hands often. He has prescribed me some antibiotics to help boost that cell count.
It was a bit strange having a TV camera following me around, documenting every moment of the visit (the footage will air on KCPQ next week). I now have an idea of what it might feel like to be on a reality show. Well, except this one is a little too real for my liking. And thankfully, no Speidi.
"Ooh!" exclaimed the nurse who drew my blood, "You have great-looking veins. We don't see a lot of those around here."
"Your veins are BEAUTIFUL. Do you work out?" Asked the nurse who hooked me up for my second Chemotherapy treatment today.
I'm getting a little self-conscious about my beautiful blood vessels. If this TV thing doesn't pan out, maybe I'll be a vein model. Better than being a vain model, I guess.
Chemo went a little bit more smoothly this time around. I had a slight reaction in my vein to one of the four drugs that are injected. It was a sharp burning sensation, and I was in enough pain to order the nurse to slow down the flow of that drug from the IV a bit and cut it with a little more saline. After that, no problems. Only four more treatments to go, over the course of the next eight weeks. I will wrap up my treatment with about three weeks of radiation.
The doctor says my white cell counts are still a little bit lower than what is expected at this point in treatment, so I have to be careful of infection. I have to avoid crowds, and wash my hands often. He has prescribed me some antibiotics to help boost that cell count.
It was a bit strange having a TV camera following me around, documenting every moment of the visit (the footage will air on KCPQ next week). I now have an idea of what it might feel like to be on a reality show. Well, except this one is a little too real for my liking. And thankfully, no Speidi.
Posted by Bill Wixey at 6/8/2009 2:45 PM 
Categories: Veins, Bill Wixey, Cancer, Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Dracula, Speidi, Chemotherapy
Tags: Hodgkin's Lymphoma Cancer veins Dracula Bill Wixey Speidi Chemotherapy
Categories: Veins, Bill Wixey, Cancer, Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Dracula, Speidi, Chemotherapy
Tags: Hodgkin's Lymphoma Cancer veins Dracula Bill Wixey Speidi Chemotherapy
Bill,
I am so proud of you and Catherine. It is truly inspiring to witness such strength and courage.
Thank you for including us on this journey and I can't wait for the entry proclaiming "I WON".
I love you Bill and you are in my thoughts every day! Rachel
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Congratulations on great veins! They can NEVER find mine and once, they stabbed me 11 times until I finally said enough is enough, get a real lab tech down here! After multiple stab wounds, they informed me that drinking plenty of fluids prior to a draw is helpful...good to know, right?! Will be praying for your white blood counts...
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Best wishes Bill. I'll be 20 years post Hodgkins treatment at the end of November. I recommend Dr. Suess's "I Had Trouble in Getting to Solla Sollew" for inspiration, plus your kids will like it. Jan
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Hi Bill - Sounds like you're holding up well with the chemo. Has the fatigue hit you yet? My first 2 chemo sessions were fine and I thought, no sweat, I can handle this...until round three hit! Wham! After that I was fatigued (I had 8 treatments total)and sore after my treatment, heartburn like you wouldn't believe until I got it under control with yet more meds. But I also realized that as the chemo worked, I got stronger and feeling so much better, more like myself. Lots of meds, lots of handwashing. I had to get a daily shot for about four days after each treatment to help bring up the white counts. B6 & B12 help with neuropathy--the numbness in your hands and feet. I was stage 4 Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in Oct 2007 and now just over 1 yr remission. Just keep up the positive attitude, it's amazing how far that will take you. Stay strong, stay healthy!
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Dear Bill,
I have been praying for you and your family. In years former, I was an immunochemist in the diagnostics field, so I know what you mean about the vein admiration.
My father in Law is fighting cancer at 80 so I resonate with you about your experience and process. He was at the Seatlle cancer alliance and is now on the Eastside.
May God be gracious to you.
Pastor Dave
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Great post Bill. Very funny. Since you have "beautiful veins", this means you might be able to snag a cameo in the new Twilight flick
Great post sir!
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Bill,
I wish you the best. I have your news broad cast on every morning, You all are my news team. I am ill as well and will be following your progress. Kiss you wife every day and I'll say my prayers. I wish you a short as possible recovery. GET WELL. STAY STRONG. Dot
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Hey Bill,
I am so glad you are doing well. I just heard about your diagnosis tonight and I was surprised. We met about 5 yrs ago at Canyon park QFC in Bothell where I worked at as a checker. I think your a great person.I'm so glad you have such a good outlook on this and life. Being diagnosed with a disease is a tough blow but if you're strong enough to fight, then you can beat it. I know I fight everyday with MS. Take Care of yourself. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Love,
Dreanne
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I'm so glad you have a sense of humor; this was hilarious, and also informative. I appreciate that you've included people on your journey, and I look forward to seeing you fully recover!
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Bill,
The Communications folks at WSDOT are thinking of you. Fight the good fight and win your battle. We want to keep working with you at Q.
WSDOT Jamie
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I've always enjoyed watching you on q13. You illness is just a test from God that I know you will pass with flying colors...because you are in my thoughts and prayers.
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I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkin's in July 2007. I was treated with 12 ABVD sessions over 6 months, and now have been cancer-free for the 18 months since treatment. My wife and I used humor to stay positive, were thankful for the small things, and included prayer in our treatment program.
You are doing very well. Be thankful for your "great-looking veins". And, thank you for you good work. You are an encouragement to others.
Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Dave
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nice post
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