An Ongoing Series Following One Woman's Fight Against Breast Cancer Continues

It is now May 17, 2010 and Rhonda Chieduch-Klassen has an appointment at the hospital to have a central line inserted. A central line is an IV placed into a large vein usually in the chest area. This procedure is performed like a day surgery in the hospital under local anestetic where only the treatment area is frozen and the patient remains awake. This line will remain in place for the course of treatment and can be used for blood samples and to deliver the chemo meds.

Rhonda explained to me that it was uncomfortable with some 'stinging' when they inserted the freezing but not so bad once it kicked in. The procedure only took about 30 minutes from start to finish. The doctor uses an ultra sound to guide the catheter in and x-rays to ensure proper placement. A small incision is made for the insertion of the catheter, once in place Rhonda needs to return weekly for a dressing change and catheter flush to ensure it does not get clogged.

She was all only as she had driven herself to the appointment. Rhonda said "This was when I finally realized I had cancer. I was laying on the table crying harder than I ever had. I was here and they were inserting a central line because I needed Chemo." After Rhonda left the hospital she had a check up with her family doctor. She called a friend to meet her there as she was extremely emotional and "needed a hug".

So after Rhonda received her hug and check up her friend decided it would be a good plan to cheer her up. He spent some time with her watching comedy movies and just being supportive. Rhonda's boyfriend would be home later that evening from working out of town. Rhonda's ex-husband called and suggested taking the children out for dinner.

On the way to the restaurant Rhonda became short of breath and could not catch another breath. Her Ex took her into the hospital to be check. Once there her pulse was registering at 198 beats per minute as well as increased blood pressure. She was taken to an exam room and placed on an ECG, the doctor ordered meds to slow her heart rate. Once Rhonda's heart rate was back within normal range she was given a prescription for the heart meds and sent home.

During this time Rhonda's boyfriend was traveling home so that he could be with her for her first chemo appointment. Rhonda had gone to bed extremely exhausted mentally and physically. She would try to get a good night sleep before her 8:30 am treatment. Although things would not go quiet as she had planned.

Around 4:30 am Rhonda's boyfriend woke her, he was upset and decided that he needed to end their relationship before they got in any further, only 4 short hours before her first chemo appointment. Rhonda then cried herself to sleep and in the morning he offered to take her to her treatment. Rhonda refused and he began packing his things as Rhonda would try to make new arrangements for getting to her appointment. Once again her ex-husband (who is not normally very supportive) stepped up to the plate for the mother of his children.

Now going for chemotherapy, heartbroken, scared feeling very alone she set forth on the new stage of her treatment. During the 3 hour chemo treatment hew now ex-boyfriend continued to text her and harass her about paying for items her purchased for the house. While in treatment her ex-in-laws were kind enough to clean her house for the small price of $200, I might add that Rhonda lives in an 800sqft trailer.

Once Chemotherapy was completed Rhonda returned home. Her mother arrived to help her and monitor her as no one knew how Rhonda would react to the 3 different kinds of chemo that was administered to her. In the next article we will see how Rhonda handled the treatment and what side effects she encountered. As well as her emotional responses and relationship ups and downs.