Toilet obsession part 2

1 minute read time.

I have appreciated the comments on the last post. Reassuring to know that others have similar tales.

Yesterday was chemo day and the lovely staff are always keen to check I am emptying out - to the point of adding to my obsession.

The routine is tricky. Unplug the pump, wheel it carefully way across the room to the loo carefully avoiding the randomly placed desk chairs, trollies and bins as well as trying not to rip the cannula from your arm. The worst is finding it’s already occupied. What if they take ages? Why did I leave it so long?

Eventually I made it. The husband of the lady having treatment next to the loo was very understanding when I clobbered him with the door and on other occasions with the pump and again later with my foot! He was very close and I know there was a door between us but even so.....

At this point I am desperate and had no choice but to continue....in the dark! The bulb had gone but there was a faint green glow from the emergency light. I did wonder if it was my radioactivity glow. You have to find a pan, place it on loo and wee then carry it carefully to the other side of the room remembering the pump and trying not to rip out cannula. This is not straightforward with a working bulb. Then you place the pan on the scales and read the figure remembering to take off 50. Couldn’t see a thing so took an educated guess. Then you have to find you way back to the loo and dispose of everything and wash your hands. As I opened the door being careful of the nice man immediately outside I tried to lock into my brain the figure I must write on the chart and the fact I must remember to tell someone the bulb had gone.

Well I managed to remember the figure. And I remembered to tell someone about the bulb....at 10pm last night.

This stuff is definitely affecting my brain now. Should I worry? Or is this another obsession building? Lordy!

Anonymous
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Oh the joys of getting to the loo on chemo day! My partner is in charge of sorting me out, unplugging me, making sure I don’t tangle the wires, remembering to pick up a bowl and then shoving me into the toilet where she stands guard outside as invariably I don’t think about locking it when I’m doing the one hand shuffle to get my knickers down. Luckily don’t have to weigh anything...just assess the measurement on the side of the bowl and go. 

    I have a tiny bladder. This means I need the loo every 20 minutes or so for small amounts and it’s exhausting! I just get settled back in the chair, feet up, boots off, everything nicely arranged and the whole process needs to start again! It’s a good job we can laugh...I appear to be the only one on chemo days who has their partner help them to the loo but I’m not proud!!

  • Hi Minsk’s - so useful to have help! Not so in my case - due to ‘help’ my other half almost ripped the cannula out of my arm! As the nurse had taken ages to get it in this week I will not be asking for further help! Life is traumatic enough! X