Port Issues

Yesterday was I guess the second half of round 9 of chemo. I am now going to be starting round 10 in two weeks.
I must have been a half a round off on where I thought I was. Or, I got a half bonus round or something. As it is, I have now completed round 9.

I was half hoping going in there yesterday that my blood work would come back less than favourable and I would be off the hook for this week. No such luck. Blood all came back perfect again so the full dose was given.

Backing up to the part where I had the blood drawn.
I am now going up to the chemo ward to have my blood work done as its so much easier to have just one needle for my whole day, have the blood taken from the port and the needle can even stay in there until after my chemo is given.
Much easier this way. Until yesterday.

I had a nurse call my name to come on with him. I have never seen him before and for some reason I just had a bad feeling about him. Nothing about his appearance, nothing that I could really pin point as I had only seen him for less than half a minute between him calling my name and heading into the room.
My feelings were right.

He was a little fumbly as he was getting everything lined up and prepped and chatting about the needle he would be using.
I just saw that he did not seem to be very confident with himself. I was nervous but at the same time, I knew there was a chance I was just being a little silly so I smiled, said nothing and let him do his job.

He goes to put the needle in the port. Ok, fool proof right? RIGHT? WRONG!!!!!
He put the needle in "the centre" of the port and he says, "its not in" I'm thinking "what, what,what?? How can that be humanly possible"? Not that I have ever done this myself but I seem to always be there while everyone else does it so I kind of have an idea of how it all works and how easy it is.
So, he keeps pushing harder and harder and harder. At one part I thought maybe he was pushing so hard I could retrieve the port itself from my back. I don't think these things are meant to be shoved at and pushed so hard.
I couldn't take it anymore, he pulled out the needle and was going to try again. Oh joy.
However, things happen, maybe he just went at it at a different angle so me being stupid, let him try again. And guess what??
Same. He can't get the needle in!!! Needless to say, I am a little bruised today.

The end result was he did his two tries and failed so in came another RN who I see often at the Dr.'s office. It was nice at that point to see a familiar friendly face. Well, two seconds and it was in. No issues what so ever. Nice. By that point though I was sore, even though I had the Emla cream on (my topical anesthetic) .... the blood was drawn, the needle was in and I was good to go.
I even was less sick about the whole thing since a wave of calm came over me with the nurse (and my friend) there and it just did not seem to be as big of an issue as my mind usually lets me think it is.

I felt quite sick when I came home from it all yesterday. A few times I was up in the middle of the night hanging out on the bathroom floor feeling like the world was ending.
I was able to get back to sleep after "things" let up and I took another Ondanzatron (anti nauseant)
Today I am half and half.

I really wanted to go to church today but I settled for calling in once again.

Its such a nice day so I am going to try to think positive and just carry on.