Anyone who is squeamish may want to look away now!!

So yesterday didn't go to plan. My nurse was there and it was all go for needling. I was ready for this new challenge. The plan was to get 2 needles into the vein which has been enlarged and use them for dialysis. At the end of dialysis you then put in little pegs to keep the holes open so that the same holes can be used each time. Simple! Well no. The needles went in well and dialysis started well. We all sighed a sigh of relief. 2 minutes later - nurse panicking as the second needle had dislodged and was bleeding into my arm. Needle removed and blood everywhere. Me in tears as I watched my precious haemoglobin dripping onto the pillow case. So we carried on using one needle and one line. All fine until the end of dialysis. The nurse removed the needle and a second nurse came to insert the peg. Unfortunately the first nurse had told me to stop pressing on the wound too early and I had bleed into the tissues from the second needle. This resulted in a huge swelling in my arm. Ho hum! So now I can't use this arm for dialysis for at least a week - probably 2 weeks. Not the plan! I am now waiting for the bruises to appear. However I was very thankful to have my friend D for company and we chatted away the time. At least my lines are working well and there is no urgency to be using the fistula.

Today radiotherapy - I am half way through. Picc line flushed and house-group here tonight.

tf98frg (This is Papageno helping with the typing)

Chloe's flights are booked to Uganda - she is very excited. We have 'children who travel' this year. I am looking forward to seeing the world through their eyes.