“It amazes me because this poisonous and toxic liquid stays in my bladder for 90 minutes and it’s been in there 50 times!” Toxic by Jens-Helge on the Berlin wall in Berlin photo by howlzap Cologne

Wednesday 27 January was the 50th dose of Mitomycin I’ve had over the last 5 years! The eighth with EMDA. I wasn’t looking forward to it. I never do, but after a blissful three month break from the “purple rain” routine it was harder than ever.

The pre-op and COVID 19 test were quick and painless the hospital had kept the promise to fast track me. But on treatment day my patience as a patient was tested anew. There was a hitch and my treatment had to be postponed until there was a bed free. The first two hours passed rel-at-itv-ely easily, I read and scrolled through my phone. However, the later it became, the more antsy I became. Anyone drinking anything nearby filled me with ‘drink-envy’. Abstaining from any liquids pre-treatment is necessity not to dilute the chemo.

Finally, a bed became free and it was even next to a mini balcony so I could chill my stash of veggie juice and raw veggies. Although the hospital has an impressive 10 item vegan menu staying for one night is a ‘vegan-meal- lottery’ as it’s ordered the day before as a resident. I bring my own supplies just in case.

The treatment itself went smoothly and was over quite quickly. The technicians know me well and are competent and chatty. It amazes me still the precautions that they take when handling mitomycin or rather NOT handling it:

  • plastic sheeting with a cut out for administration covers me
  • masks, glasses, Perspex face shields and double gloves are worn by them
  • the mitomycin syringe is kept in the delivery bag to catch any drips
  • everything used is disposed of in the toxic waste bin afterwards

It amazes me because this poisonous and toxic liquid stays in my bladder for 90 minutes and it’s been in there 50 times!

All the more reason to look after the rest of me as best I can!