I’ve been meaning to write about my Entyvio infusion days at the hospital.
Entyvio is the new medication I started in November to treat my ulcerative colitis.
I was nervous in the beginning but have found I actually look forward to infusion day every other month.
The drug is working brilliantly keeping my UC in check. I haven’t experienced any side effects which is awesome.
I arrive at the infusion center and am always welcomed by the super friendly and nice infusion nurses.
After they take down my height and weight I am led into an infusion room.
I have one of the last appointments of the day at 2 pm meaning I have the room all to myself. This is wonderful.
It takes about 30 minutes for the nurse to call for my medication, draw bloodwork for my gastrointestinal, and start an IV.
While we are waiting for the medicine and I am getting settled I have my jacket and handbag hung up with my phone in my bag.
When the Entyvio arrives the nurse hooks it up to the IV and presses start. The timer will go off in 30 minutes when it’s done.
This is the part I love. I am “stuck” in a recliner chair with a cold water bottle, a pillow under my arm, and wrapped in a warm blanket. A warm blanket is the best!
I close my eyes and listen to the noise the IV machine makes. I focus on the sound and block out everything else. I doze a little and am totally relaxed.
While this is a necessary part of the maintenance of my UC it is also therapeutic for my well being.
During the infusion, it’s the only time I “have” to sit still. I take full advantage of this time not wasting a second of it.
I don’t scroll through my newsfeeds on social media and I have my phone on Do Not Disturb.
It’s wonderful being completely unplugged. This is self-care 101 which is as necessary as the drug being pumped through my vein.
The nurses in the infusion department told me many of their infusion patients look forward to their infusion days like me.
After the nurse removes the IV I take my time getting myself together and walk slowly back to my truck in a great state of mind. ☺️