This week has been pretty good! I usually have a picc line dressing change appointment every week, but due to scheduling constraints mine for this week got pushed to Monday. So, this is the first week in a long time that I haven’t had an appointment to go to. It feels odd to have a “normal” week, but I’m grateful for the break.

The process of the change is that the nurse flushes the lines with saline and checks for blood return. What that means is they attempt to pull blood out to confirm there are no blockages in the line. When they get blood return from both lines, they remove the protective covering, clean the area, and put on a new protective covering.

Sometimes, like last week, there is a struggle to get blood return. It could mean that the line is kinked somewhere or that there’s a minor clot (nothing scary - just a small blockage). But they can’t go forward until there is blood return from both lumen. Usually, just moving the position of your arm or turning your head will get unblock the line and allow for blood return. But my blood likes to be stubborn. The usual tricks weren’t working so they had to inject a de-clotter, which automatically adds a half hour to my appointment since we have to wait for it to take effect. But at the half hour mark, it still wasn’t working. So, my nurse sends me on a walk to get the blood going. I was doing laps on the fourth floor of the west wing for 15 minutes 😆 When I got back, finally she was able to get blood return and we could wrap up.

Since I had chemo last Thursday, this was a recovery week. Funnily enough, one symptom I keep forgetting to mention is the brain fog. I get my words all jumbled up and I get confused easily. I call it chemo brain. It’s led to some funny incidents like putting packages of snacks in the fridge or taking my computer keyboard to the kitchen. Jess has to hold my hand and guide me back to the car like a lost puppy after treatment. Thankfully, chemo brain usually only lasts for about a day after treatment.

The further out from my chemo days I get, I forget how tired it actually makes me. Immediately after, I am zonked and usually don’t do much but sleep all weekend. I always intend to settle into some tv time with Jess afterwards but I end up nodding off and napping all evening. For a few days after treatment, if I’m not working or hanging out with Jess, I am sleeping 😴 It’s great because falling asleep easily feels great, and I know the rest is good for my recovering body, but I end up missing out on “me” time. Later in the week when I actually have the energy to do stuff in my free time like play video games or scroll around on my phone (yes, chemo makes me too tired to even doomscroll), I know I’m feeling better. I’m in the part of the week where I have energy to do stuff, so I’m happy. I have plans to see my friends this evening, and I’m really looking forward to it!

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In practice of gratitude and positivity, here are some things that made me happy this week: