arrgh, stupid chemo

I used to donate blood all the time, and they never had any trouble finding a good vein right away. But after about the 5th cycle of chemo, my veins have been nearly microscopic. That wasn't as much of a problem during chemo, because they could usually go through the hand, but with my last CAT scan, the technician had to call in a nurse to stick me, and it even took her a while. They said they try to avoid using the hand veins.

That was two weeks after I finished chemo, and when it showed little decrease from April's CAT scan, we went ahead to radiation. Five weeks after my rads, I had a blood test and met with my oncologists, who gave me the timetable for checkups (CAT scan every four months for two years, thyroid test after six months).

Today was the first four-month scan, and once again the technician had trouble finding a suitable vein. Unfortunately, at the Westlake Imaging Center of the Cleveland Clinic, they don't have other staff on hand they can call to help with phlebotomous problems like these, so she called the Strongsville office to squeeze me into their schedule.

First, let me say my appointment was at 10:00, but the elderly woman before me was allergic to everything (including the tape), so I didn't actually get in until 10:40. So I was over at Strongsville around 12:45, where the technician looked around both arms and didn't even bother trying to stick me. She called a nurse down (the same one who did it back in June); she stuck me once, but had no luck. She called another nurse who had more experience with infinitesimal vessels such as mine. Her stick likewise hit nothing, so she called someone from surgery, who, fortunately, was not busy at the moment. She got the needle in fairly quickly ("quickly" compared to the time I had already spent lying there).

So it took five people and four jabs to get it done, but after that it was smooth sailing. I hadn't eaten anything all day, and only a little bit of water, so I treated myself to a late lunch at Panera Bread across the street. They're selling awareness-ribbon-shaped cherry-craisin-vanilla bagels this month and giving a portion of the profits to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation (get it? cherry + vanilla = pink). I bought a dozen, although maybe if I had bought them before the scan it would've had a karmic effect on the plumpability of my veins.

Do any of you have a net worth of $7.5 million, $3 million in liquid assets, and "a passion for fresh bread"? I'd love to have a Panera Bread in Elyria. Currently, the closest location is Avon Commons. Mmmmmm...

I'll see my oncologists Tuesday, who will tell the results of today's scans. Here's hopin' nothing's growin'.