Day Patient

This week Ciara was in one hospital or another every day apart from Friday yet at no point did she have to stay over. The day after Tuesday's bone marrow aspiration she started chemotherapy session number five and I drove them both up and left them to it while I went work. As you may remember Ciara came into contact with Chicken Pox a few weeks ago and so has been in isolation whenever she visits the hospitals. Unfortunately this little administrative detail seems beyond the hospital organisers and whenever she turns up, it's always a surprise.

As a result, Ciara had to spend Wednesday in an tiny office with just a small examination bed to lie on while the chemo was administered. On top of that, her ultrasound had to be put back to the last slot as no one had told then that Ciara was in isolation.

However easy is it for me to criticise, if you ever stop to think of the logistical nightmare running a day ward must be you tend to give them a break. It would be nice if they read her notes now and then though.

On the way home, following the now ubiquitous McDonald's, Ciara was sick in the car. This should have been no surprise considering she had just had four hours of chemotherapy, but being new to this whole day patient thing, we were poorly prepared. We scraped out the worst at the side of the road while being scrutinised by some gurning culchie (Irish country-bumpkin). Ask yourself, what would you need to bring in the car for your child who has just had a chemotherapy session? Well done to you if “a spare set of clothes” is at the top of your list, you would make an excellent cancer parent. As it was Ciara wore my t-shirt home and ended up falling in love with it. Well it was your finest Von Dutch rip-off! She didn't take it off until the following morning, and then only under duress.

Thursday was Part 2 of the chemo session and I spent the day with them as well. This time we had a bigger office! Woo Hoo! It turned out to be the ultimate in efficient chemotherapy administration. We were told it would take four hours. It took four hours! We were home in time for for Bagpuss and The Flumps!. Unlike Wednesday, she wasn't sick. Modern anti-sickness drugs are something to behold. Chemo is so toxic that the nurses wear goggles when setting it up and yet Ciara is not even sick . Thank you Pfizer and all your ilk (no, she's not getting Viagra). Six months ago I detested pharmaceutical companies as corrupt and cynical money-men, but you do forget all that crap when your own are sick.

Today (Saturday) has been a lovely day. Now that global warming is kicking in we've had an August style April! Bring it on! (sorry, Bangladesh). We visited the the Japanese Gardens and Irish National Stud today in Kildare. It's one of Ireland's primary attractions and is only 10 minutes up the road, so would be rude not to visit at least once. Ciara enjoyed herself but she does get tired very quickly. Even if she's there for only five minutes, I won't begrudge the entrance fee. Carpi Diem brings on a whole new meaning when your daughter is so unwell. Yvonne managed to keep her distaste for foreign exchange students in check, however I was not so restrained, and ended up reprimanding a group of French students for going the wrong way along a stepping-stone stream. If only they knew what I was saying.

Next week, find out how Ciara gets on with the big, scary MRI scan. This is happening on Tuesday and will more than likely involve another General. I guess we'll be hearing some results of this week's tests too. Next chemotherapy session is 12th May, which, being a Saturday, may not happen until the Monday. Who knows? As such, don't expect too many updates until around then...but do come back!