Adventures In Chemo Land

Another treatment down. My treatment Monday was a long day. But before we go there, let's talk about my CT Scan on Thursday. When I saw the doctor on Friday for my pre-treatment visit, they already had the results, and the news was good. The previously treated lesions on my spine all show indications of healing, and there is nothing new. So Good News there.

I was accompanied by my friend Linda to this treatment, as Kyle is up at the cottage for the week. The visit was pretty uneventful, right up to the point where the nurse came to disconnect me. She picked up the orders and read through them. She got to the bottom and asked me if I knew anything about pamidronate. I asked what is was for and she explained it was used following treatments for bone cancer to minimize and help bind calcium.

Of course I knew what it was then, and I explained the problem I had with the BoneFos. Now the nurses were conferring among themselves, and out loud. Why didn't the pharmacy send it up, and why did the first 2 or 3 nurses catch the order. So they paged Dr. Z and the the doctor that I say on Friday. No reply from either of them. The Pharmacist arrived and they conferred again. The nurse finally found a note in my chart, from October 27th by Dr. Z stating that I would be receiving it so the Pharmacist set off to prepare it.

In the meantime, they brought the orders back to my chair, and I had a chance to read them. The very 1st line referred to the pamidronate. So 3 or 4 nurses managed to miss the order, along with the Pharmacy. What if it had of been something that could have cause drastic results if missed.

I have placed a call to my primary care nurse and the Manager of Systemic Therapies. I am concerned that an error like this could have life affecting results in other circumstances, and it is not for me, as the patient to be reading the orders and making sure they get it right. Anyway, this cycle is done and now I wait to see if I need another treatment. I see Dr. Z on the 26th so I will know more then.