First dual dose session

Here we go

July 2023

Alaw ward at Ysbyty Gwynedd is where cancer patients are looked after. There is the day care section where you receive chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and other drugs. There is a triage section where you can be assessed for treatment. Finally, there is the ward itself, which is always struggling to have spare beds.

So Sian and I turned up at the reception in advance of my appointment time. They then measure your weight and height and then you wait to be taken to the day care section.

Having been called through, I saw people of all ages sitting in chairs spread around the walls of the room. It’s a light and airy room, with a decent tea and coffee machine, and more importantly, a nice selection of biscuits.

At home, we don’t tend to buy a lot of biscuits, but I can resist everything except temptation.

As this was my first session, there was a lot of paperwork to go through. After that, I got a washing bowl of warm water to dip my hands in so it’s easier to attach the cannula. With the cannula inserted, I got a couple of paracetamol to take, and then they brought the drug bags which are tightly controlled for obvious reasons

It was around this time I heard the noise of the drug stands, which monitor how much of the bag is left, etc, and then bleep constantly when the bag is empty. This must drive the nurses mad as there never seems to be any peace.

I first got a small bag of saline to act as a flush, and then the first of the two immunotherapy drugs bag.

I got another saline flush after the first bag had emptied, and then the second bag was hooked up. Another flush after that and it was all over and we could go home.

I didn’t feel anything untoward during the whole process and went home hoping it would stay like that.

It didn’t take long for that to change.