Woken up early this morning 6 ish because of aching in my arm. Usually repositioning helps, but this morning it just kept on aching. I left hubby snoring away and went to fill the hotwater bottle to apply as instructed. Climbed back into bed with the morning paper ( get our delivered really early) and balancing HWB along the length of my arm settled to read the headlines and before page three or four I had dozed off again! When I eventually woke at 8 I didn't feel too good. Decided to have a shower but then noticed I had a raised red mark tracking up said arm! It was extremely sore to touch and very stiff to move so thought I had better follow instructions on the PICC line card I was given and ring the treatment centre for advice. Took my tempertaure first after I noticed that they would want to know if I had one, and blow me I did! Only 38.2
Dutifully rang the number on the card I was given, and explained my symtoms and by now concern. Wrong!! I got told, in no uncertain terms, that this was an emergency number for patients who had already started their chemotherapy and I should not have rung it! So I said so what do I do then, should I not be concerned and just keep taking the paracetamol ? She sharply said you should ring your GP surgery! She was most officious and spoke to me like a autocratic head mistress! Felt like a naughty school girl. I tried to explain that this was not made clear to me when I was given the card by the chemo nurse last Tuesday who told me if I had any of the symptoms on the back of the card I had to ring that number immediately and as I had 3 of the symptoms this morning I thought I was doing the right thing! They certainly made no mention of the fact that I was only to contact the number once I started the treament!
Duely reprimanded I rang the GP out of hours service and within 10 minutes a GP had rung me back and said I needed to go into to the Out of Hours clinic at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital and they would ring with an appointment. They rang almost straight away and so hubby and I had to traipse all the way there. Was seen very promptly by a jolly bearded doctor who was very reassuring and didn't make me feel as if I was wasting his time and yes I have an infection! Typical! Apparently it is quite common and is a localised infection in the cells and not one that will track through the PICC line. That was an immense relief and so another trip to the pharmacy this time for a course of antibiotics. ( Exemption card arrived through the post this morning - excellent timing!) Now taking so many pills I am surprised I am not rattling. Had to write down a timetable as some have to be taken on an empty stomach or a hour before food and others with food! Some 4 hourly and some 6 hourly! Seems like I am taking something every hour of the day! Still let's hope the antibiotics do their job and it all settles down before Tuesday and doesn't delay things.
Will probably be too frightened to ring the emergency line with a probelm now even when I do start the chemo next week! You would think they would have a little more understanding. They may know all about PICC lines etc and when and when not to panic but I am new to all this and after all they tell you about all the complications that may occur from the PICC insertion and make sure you understand them and emphsise that you must ring straight away in the eventuallity what can they expect. Getting crosser as I type this! No doubt the blood pressure is now sky high again!
Sorry about the rant but feel better for it!.
Thanks to those who commented on my last blog you both put my mind at rest regarding the tattoos! And yes Drew, have already started slathering on the emolient cream night and day thanks! Have heeded you warning!
What a b*tch! (The jobsworth I mean!) Sounds as if she'd been groomed by the dragon school of receptionists. It's the last thing you need when you're in the middle of treatment for cancer. I hope when you feel up to it you write a letter of complaint about this hag. Keep taking the tablets and be kind to yourself.
hi peta , i find it disgusting the way you were treated by the chemo unit. if you were instructed to ring them ,then what do they expect you to do . as you say you are new to all this & not a mind reader . maybe the nurse was having an off day because she has to work the easter hols but its still no excuse for talking to you like that. a temp of 38.2 is pretty high so you had every right to be concerned.i hope the antibiotics do the trick & your treatment isn't delayed i would also have a word about how you were spoken to this morning. please when chemo starts & if you encounter a problem please don't hesitate in calling them take care & good luck for tuesday love n hugs theresa xxxx
I wouldn't worry about some jobbie telling you off. When these infections start they kick off very quickly and the sooner you get some antibiotics the better. When I phoned about the infection in my mouth they told me to come over straight away "and bring an overnight bag just in case" I knew very well I was not going to be allowed to go home until they bottomed the problem and when I got there my name was above the bed! Always err on the side of caution. Things can get out of hand very quickly and what can be sorted with a few antibiotics early on can soon develop inot a full blown situation.
I so agree with Drew, when I had my second bout of chemo I ignored signs of an infection thinking I was over reacting, only to end up on iv antibiotics and be stuck in hospital for two weeks. I got told off for very different reasons. I say this not to frighten you but to underline Drews point that infections can take hold quickly and it is better to err on the side of caution. I'd like to think your experience isn't too common as most chemo Nurses etc are fantastic...my motto as always is "if in doubt scream and shout" so don't let this put you off from airing any future concerns you may have!
Can't believe you were treated so badly. I just had the opposite. Was fine and just got flu like symptoms went to bed and my partner said I was burning hot and wanted to call the doctor but left it a day and didn't feel any better so called the doctor out who sent me to the hospital, they were wonderful and told me I should have come in straight away and not to hesitate next time.
They said when you have got cancer you can go down very quickly and it is important to get treated straight away. I felt really ill and was too tired to hardly even speak. The first time I have been poorly since my diagnosis in July 08.
Anyway they gave me introvenious antibiotics the nurse told me were 'very expensive' and a drip to get me rehydrated. It turned out I had a bladder infection which had got into my blood and I think my sats? were low so they put me on oxygen overnight.
I just stayed overnight and they let me home today and said come straight back in if you feel unwell. I can't believe I am ok now after feeling so ill yesterday.
Any way the moral is don't let some woman who has probably had 'a bad day' put you off, they really made me feel like I had done the right thing and not to hesistate to go back if I have any other problems.
Medication.... its funny really trying to keep up, I write mine down on the blackboard in the kitchen with times etc and when its full I wipe off and start again.
Hope your antibiotics work as quickly and you feel better soon.
