Well it’s the second session of Chemo tomorrow and far from getting a handle on it, it is throwing up all sorts of problems.
If I touch my limbs or chest I feel like I am bruised or kicked in the stomach (or maybe like I have done a hard workout).
But there has been another potentially more serious issue. Yesterday, having spoken to my Diabetes Nurse about my Hypos of Monday and yesterday, she suggested to leave out daytime insulin and just have 10 units of the long acting Lantus insulin last night. Yet today, I thought that at 8.5 and based on last weeks readings, and the fact I was having egg on two slices of toast, I would be safe enough to have 6 units of pre meal Novorapid. BIG MISTAKE!
I was due a blood test at the hospital prior to tomorrow’s Chemo and duly attended the Phlebotomy Department. Having complimented me on my dress the senior Phlebotomist tried but couldn’t get any blood, meantime I was starting to feel the early signs of a Hypo again. I caused a minor panic in the department, but following Jen’s instructions (4 Dextrose Tablets, followed by another 4 if unresolved after 10 minutes). They gave me some water, but... and this REALLY worried me, although they found a Blood glucose monitor- none of the staff knew how to use it.
Remember, this is a Department where all they do all day is take blood samples, yet they have had no training in dealing with someone having a Hypo. This is in no way a criticism of them and the two ladies were so helpful and really concerned. However, I really feel that they could be trained to use something as simple as a glucometer (it was a different model to mine and my Hypo was making me shake so I couldn’t use it either). The reading (after 4 dextrose tablets) was 4.6, which of course meant nothing to them either. However, I knew to have more Dextrose, and then had several very sweet Sunburst sweets in the car. But even then, when I got home my blood sugar was just 7.5! Ironically the Chemo Suite phoned me later at to check that I actually had my blood test done today as they hadn’t got the results - but yes she did manage it eventually.
Obviously, something very strange is happening to my Diabetes due to my Chemo (perhaps I have cured it!!).
It will be interesting to see what happens during tomorrow’s treatment- I will be checking and snacking through the day and have to have insulin as and when appropriate- hopefully the unit staff will have more of an understanding of Diabetes and the Steroid effect.
I fully intend on flagging up the lack of training for Phlebotomists regarding Hypos and Diabetes it would take no more than half an hour to show them how to take and interpret low blood sugar readings, and know what action to take, I feel they felt pretty useless themselves but I know this lack of knowledge is not down to them. In the meantime, it looks like my Glucometer is yet another item I now need to carry everywhere with me (Ron says he will have to add wheels to my handbag at this rate).
Next stop, the Chemo Suite again - 9.30 tomorrow.
