Chapter 8: Doctor, Why So Serious?

And so I finally got my treatment protocol. It is basically a set of treatments that I need to complete, a curative approach to breast cancer. I discovered that cancer treatment is not the same for all cancer patients because it differs on what triggers the mutation of cancer cells inside your body. In the conventional cancer treatment which I chose over the alternative naturopathy treatment, the next step will be chemotherapy. We need to make sure that the cancer cells that could have possibly spread within my system and cannot be detected yet by lab tests will be killed by the Chemo drugs via infusion through blood veins. Of course, I was well educated by my dear Doctor that side effects were inevitable but these risks are much lower than not undergoing with the treatment at all. With my cancer stage and type, I will have to go through 8 cycles of Chemotherapy and 18 cycles of Targeted treatment which are all infusion.

Now happening in his hospital clinic. . . "You have to undergo through a lot of infusions and I don't think those veins in your hands can take it. You must have a portacatheter implanted within your chest so that all those infusions can be done through it." He speaks seriously as I listen intently. Right now, I'm talking to Dr. Lance and not to Lanlan. I'm not sure if I'll be amused of how his personality switches from the teasing Lanlan to a serious and very professional doctor.

I found myself entering the surgery room again, but this time I'll have the porthacath implanted within my chest. By the way the porthacath is a medical appliance with a port installed beneath the skin and a catheter that connects it to a vein. According to google - The port is usually inserted in the upper chest (known as a "chest port"), just below the clavicle or collar bone, with the catheter inserted into the jugular vein.

I woke up in the recovery room. The nurses are now preparing to transfer me back to my room in the hospital where Mom is waiting. The infusion will take 2 hours. There are 2 Chemo drugs that will be infused and the duration of the infusion is 1 hr each. I saw my Mom waiting patiently in the room. She immediately approach my bed as it enters the room. "How are you darling? Are you feeling ok? Do you feel any pain?" She asks me while stroking my hair gently. "I'm alright Mom, don't worry everything is fine." I responded. It was decided that I will undergo my first cycle Chemo right after the porthacath is installed within my chest. So I'm not surprised when I see the infusion needle that was already inserted to the port.

A few minutes later, the nurse in-charge entered and prepared the drugs and the paraphernalias. Haha, I mean Chemo drugs and not just any other drugs. It's a good thing that I have no allergies to any types of drug so I am positive that my first cycle will run smoothly.

The first drug was placed successfully. It's convenient that while the infusion is on-going I can still eat and enjoy my afternoon snack. I'm sipping my coffee when Lanlan enters the room.

"Little girl, how are you?" His face is serious and a bit worried. "Are you feeling ok? Any discomfort?" He asks. "Dr. Lance, can you stop calling me Little girl, can't you see I'm already a grown woman with breast cancer and undergoing Chemotherapy." I replied. "I'm sorry. I have to check if you are responding well to the infusion. I'm glad you are taking it so well. You have to eat well to overcome the side effects the following days. After two days you will start to feel discomfort, you will start to feel nauseated and your appetite will become weird for a week. You have to fight well ok? You need to boost your immune system to cope up with treatment." He squeezed my hand gently with obvious concern on his eyes while giving me his medical advice. "Yes Doctor., Noted Doctor. I will obey your advice Doctor. Why so serious?" I responded back to his words pouting. "He squeezes my nose and say, "Of course I'm serious to treat and cure you and I'm serious to take care of you." I was caught up with that, I don't know what to say anymore. My Mom just silently smile while watching us from the sidelines.