Among the many rays of sunlight that illuminate my cancer journey, are the good veins that I have for taking blood out and putting chemicals in. With a liquid cancer (blood borne) such as my Multiple Myeloma, or any cancer for that matter, a chemo session in the Clinic starts with insertion of an IV needle for drawing of “labs” (code for taking your blood; to be used for rapid verification that my existing numbers are adequate to handle the infusions), and the infusions of the “magic” itself - of varying sorts.
The protocol for locating the IV needle is to start looking for a suitable vein in the hand/wrist, and then if necessary (those initial veins aren’t cooperating), inching slowly and progressively up the arm to the inside of the elbow - a strategy devised/intended to begin with the more challenging veins and progressively elevating to the easier (as required, to find a track that works). In the “civilized shiv” business of setting up a line and drawing (out) 5-7 small tubes/mini-samples of blood, I’m known by the nurses as a “good stick.” But when a vein in the hand is required, that’s a bit more difficult (= ouchie).
On a recent visit, several nurses were having a devil of a time finding a suitable vein on the poor soul in the treatment bay adjacent to mine. After a few attempts moving up the arm (accompanied by many sincere and profuse apologies - which are never really necessary), that crew mercifully called in reinforcements (some nurses are just better at starting a line than others - though ALL are capable). No egos were bruised, no reprimands were meted out, no administrative brows were furrowed. Calmly and competently: The Chemo Cavalry was called in to provide collaboration from the help of another crew of capable colleagues - and the challenge was conquered.
Like they say: “Team work makes the dream work” and in this case, all pride was put aside in the name of doing what’s right for the patient - plain and simple.
