I had my first Chemo session yesterday. I have to study the correct spelling of chemotherapy - I thought it was spelt like that, but I think I may be wrong and it is spelt chaemotherapy.

We arrived at the hospital at the appointment time of 9.30am to see the Specialist who briefed me on what to expect. I was introduced to the support nurses and the staff generally - all very friendly.

I was told that I would be having a broad spectrum treatment because so far the medics have been unable to determine the primary source of my cancer. I was sent off for blood tests - all came back clear - and was then told to come back at about 11.30am to have the chemo session. I had a very helpful discussion with the a nurse.

We went off for a coffee and arrived back in the department in time for the appointment. We had to wait our turn and went through at about 12.15pm. We went through into the department and found a chair which looked like a giant electronic recliner. After going through all the identification checks I was given a saline drip and drugs for anti-sickness and one to stop/reduce any allergic reactions to the drugs. They told me about 2 hours in total.

We started and a volunteer arrived seeing whether I wanted any sandwiches for lunch so I chose cheese sandwiches an orange drink and a pot of chocolate mousse! Sarah and I shared this. The nurses were satisfied that everything was going correctly and apart from checking up from time to time I was not pestered at all. I was reassured that the nurses were there and visible if you needed any help. Indeed before being given the chemo drugs, the drugs had been checked by a total of 8 people! This was to make sure that I was getting the correct ones. The identification checks and controls are very rigid. There is no chance of the wrong medication being dispensed.

When it came to starting on the second chemical all the identification checks etc were repeated and we started on the second. The rate of flow of the second chemical was considerably quicker than the first one. I felt a cold sensation around the needle in my hand and a bit dizzy, so the nurses reduced the rate of flow down quite considerably. What should have taken half an hour took just over an hour and a half. This was finished, I was given more anti-sickness drugs and immune system boosting drugs and allowed to go home.

We got home about 5pm - a long day. Side effects today are mainly tiredness, a bit of forgetfulness and a sicky feeling, otherwise not too bad. Certainly not as bad as I had been anticipating! I was very apprehensive before hand. I'm hoping that this is the worst it gets!

I am back to the hospital today for an injection and also to have my staples removed from my neck - see the blog about my operation.

The next chemo session is around about 8th May.

I'll be back!