I had my first dose of chemotherapy today.
I had been warned to bring a book as there is a lot of waiting around to be done. My appointment time was 9.15. I was seen by my oncologist at 10.20; a brief chat.. everything all right? any questions? no - good, sign the consent form, and take your notes upstairs to the ward for the treatment.
Upstairs, the receptionist explained that it does take a very long time, and there would now be a long wait before I go in. This is because now that the oncologist had deemed me fit enough today to have treatment, they would now order up my drugs cocktail from the hospital pharmacy dept, where they are specially made to order, fresh for each recipient. Apparently the drugs can be so expensive, and are so toxic and risky to store, once concocted, that they cannot afford to waste them if patients don't turn up, or aren't well enough to be given them. There were some other lovely patients with whom I whiled away the time. Rebecca came to keep me company just as it was time to get my treatment.
We went in to the ward at about 12.20, and I was given 2 anti-emetics, Dexamethasone 8mg and Kytril 2mg, and my FEC dose; Fluorouracil (5FU) 1200mg, Epirubicin 150mg and Cyclophosphamide 1200mg. These were pumped in by a machine that squeezed each syringe-full of drugs slowly into my cannula. It took about 2 hours in all to have these drugs administered. 
The ward had originally been built in 1911 as the children's ward, and on the walls are green tiles, and beautiful tile depictions of fairy tales and nursery rhymes. It is a pity they cannot be removed and relocated so more people could enjoy them.
I have been given 2 different types of anti-emetic tablets to take at home over the next couple of days, and a chemotherapy record booklet. In all, it has not been an unpleasant day, the people are all friendly, and on the basis of that alone, I think I'll go back for more!! yeah, like you had a choice..
At home now 2 hours later, I am beginning to feel a bit drowsy and ever so slightly sick.
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