Yes , after over 4 months of Chemo, I have started losing "Body hair ". I know I have been follically challenged for quite e few years now, but, the little hair I had on my head as become fluffy, downy, almost baby like , plus its going thinner on the sides now. Am temepted to bite the bullet , get it all shaved off, and , hopefully, when Chemo's finished it will ALL grow back and I will a full head of hair again ! ;o) As fas as the body hair goes, I have smooth arms , legs and armpits, Ju's incredibly jealous !
After my all day session on Thursday , I am now halfway thru the 2nd cycle , so my earlier estimate of finishing by the end of this month has had to be changed to the 24th of August(I forgot I only have treatment once a fortnight) tho at least it will all be over before our American Adventure at the end of September :o)
Was great taking time out the other weekend going up country to see my folks in St Albans, my Mum was totally in the dark about it and the look on her face when she answered the door was priceless. I took her out to lunch and the following day I drove her down to Southend , not quite Cornwall standards but it done us when we was kids ! ;o) On top of that I got to hang out with my brother and his wife and 2 of his kids and I got to see my sister for a while.
Well, thats about all that has happened in Micksters World this past month , hope you guys are all well and that the sunshines for you wherever you go .
Love yaall xxxx
Saturday, 16 July 2011
Monday, 13 June 2011
Day 83 and its Good News !!!
Just returned form Deriford Hospital after seeing my Oncologist who gave me great news !! One tumor has decreased in size by over 50% and the other by 30%!! To say I am happy is an understatement, I am over the chuffing moon !!!
We are going to have a special celebratory dinner this evening washed down with a bottle of bubbly!!
Next course of chemo starts this Friday, and its on a day off so I wont be missing hunks of days of work :o) Man I feel so bloody happy today !!!! :o))))
Wil post again real soon, Thanks for all your help and support !!
Loves ya
xx
We are going to have a special celebratory dinner this evening washed down with a bottle of bubbly!!
Next course of chemo starts this Friday, and its on a day off so I wont be missing hunks of days of work :o) Man I feel so bloody happy today !!!! :o))))
Wil post again real soon, Thanks for all your help and support !!
Loves ya
xx
Monday, 23 May 2011
Day 62.. The Finishing Post is in sight
Well, I havent written for a while as I struugled so much after my last all day session on 12th May. i am told it maybe the cummulative effect of all the previous treatment I have had, thankfully that was the last "Big" one. It laid me low for days and even the combined treats seeing my Son Steve and his Adorable fiancee Michelle and "celebrating" my 19th wedding anniversary, could rasie the mood much, I felt absolute SHIT !
My friend and fellow cancer sufferer Pat Baldacchino lost her fight on Monday the16th , she was so positive and gave me a lot of support , including having prayers said for me at the Methodist Chapel in Polperro, it was a real shock to hear she had passed on. My mother in law Pauline, has lost a very good friend.
This thursday, 26th, I have my final chemo session follwed by the re-scheduled CT Scan next Monday to see the results, Dr Sarah says there has been a 80% success rate, I sooooo wish not to be one of the unlucky 1 in 5 :o/
Regardless of the results, I will HAVE to have a second 3 cycle schedule , so I should finish hopefully sometime in August, which is a relief , cos there is no way I am missing out on going to Orlando in September.
Right , that'll do for now, will fill you in after my Scan and hopefully the results.
Take care and thank you
xxxxxx
My friend and fellow cancer sufferer Pat Baldacchino lost her fight on Monday the16th , she was so positive and gave me a lot of support , including having prayers said for me at the Methodist Chapel in Polperro, it was a real shock to hear she had passed on. My mother in law Pauline, has lost a very good friend.
This thursday, 26th, I have my final chemo session follwed by the re-scheduled CT Scan next Monday to see the results, Dr Sarah says there has been a 80% success rate, I sooooo wish not to be one of the unlucky 1 in 5 :o/
Regardless of the results, I will HAVE to have a second 3 cycle schedule , so I should finish hopefully sometime in August, which is a relief , cos there is no way I am missing out on going to Orlando in September.
Right , that'll do for now, will fill you in after my Scan and hopefully the results.
Take care and thank you
xxxxxx
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
Day 43 Things are getting easier, Family helps :o)
Well its 6 days since my last Chemo( a small 90 minute one ) and I can honestly say I feel better than I have for a long time! The shorter working hours ( 8 hours shifts) are obviuosly a great help, but, what I think really nailed the chemo blues was spending a fantastic afternoon with my kids, Steve & Jenny and their respective partners Michelle & Barrie on Easter Sunday. We had a great meal at the Inn on the Shore then walked along the beach to Seaton where we enjoyed 3 Vomit Buckets ( Its Ice cream, in a bucket ).we then walked back agian , the sun shone the company was fantastic and I felt a million dollars.
My next and final all day session is on the 12th May, and I have a scan on the 16th to see if its done any good ;o/ so , as they say , time will tell.
Thanks go to ALL of you for your kind words of support and good wishes, it makes feel humble.
Stay well and keep safe
Love you xxx
My next and final all day session is on the 12th May, and I have a scan on the 16th to see if its done any good ;o/ so , as they say , time will tell.
Thanks go to ALL of you for your kind words of support and good wishes, it makes feel humble.
Stay well and keep safe
Love you xxx
Friday, 15 April 2011
Day 25 The worst so far, tho I am sure it could be worse;o/
Its 3.20pm the day after my latest Whole day Chemo session, and I still feel pretty crap.Was still awake at 4.00am this morning and I managed to grab a few hours fitfull sleep, eventually getting out of bed at 10.30.
Yesterday started really well, Ju and I managed to grab our breakfast at KFC before we had to report to Oncology at 9.00. Ju dropped me off got then set off to buy our Concessioary Parking Ticket , £1.20 for the WHOLE day !!!. By the time she had caught up with me in the unit, I made her aware that I had been told my white cell count was quite low from the test taken on Tuesday, so they were going to bleed me again to see if there was any improvment, it not I would'nt be able to have my Chemo that day . While the results were being assessed , I had my 1st infusion of saline.
The results came back borderline , but the good Doctor Sarah Pascoe , was reluctant to defer treatment, and it was agreed to go ahead, tho I was warned that as my white count was as low as it was , I would have to extra vigilant for any side effects and to contact them if I felt unsure about ANYTHING.
Treatment finshed at 4.30 (early eh ?) and we came home , picking Milo up from Mother-in-Law on the way. Felt pretty nauseous so went with out tea, until the anti sickness pills kicked in, even then it was only Soup !
Feeling really tired went to bed at 9.45 and checked my bloods, over 26, but as I was on steroids this was expected now, tho I still have to take huge doses of insulin to keep them down below 20 !. After sleepless night, checked them again this morning and they were remarkably down to just 12.8. Tho after breakfast, toast, and another steriod , by 2pm they were back up to 22 again.
My arms ache, and my left , particulary around the sight of canula is very tender, and this new mouth wash ,Difflam,I have to take 4 times a day to try and get rid of these really annoying mouth ulcers that I have had for what feels like a month!
I know it seems like I am just moaning , but I never expected to feel this shit. Cant work like this, and I feel like I am letting my workmates down, especially the guys in Despatch.
I know there are other people with cancer, far, far worse off than me, and I really do feel sorry for them, but I am afraid I can't help feeling sorry for myself a bit too. Life seems so unfair, somebody has to have shit luck, but why me. I mean , I havent exactly had the best of health the last 19 years !! Tho on the positive side, I survived all that crap, so I should , by rightrs, survive this !
On the plus side , after my smaller dose on Thursday 21/4 , Sarah Pascoe has decided to give me a 4 week break before the final cycle of this first set. This is to give me a chance to get my white cell count back up to normal.
Thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings and I really appreciate your comments.
Enjoy your weekend
Stay safe & Well xxx
Yesterday started really well, Ju and I managed to grab our breakfast at KFC before we had to report to Oncology at 9.00. Ju dropped me off got then set off to buy our Concessioary Parking Ticket , £1.20 for the WHOLE day !!!. By the time she had caught up with me in the unit, I made her aware that I had been told my white cell count was quite low from the test taken on Tuesday, so they were going to bleed me again to see if there was any improvment, it not I would'nt be able to have my Chemo that day . While the results were being assessed , I had my 1st infusion of saline.
The results came back borderline , but the good Doctor Sarah Pascoe , was reluctant to defer treatment, and it was agreed to go ahead, tho I was warned that as my white count was as low as it was , I would have to extra vigilant for any side effects and to contact them if I felt unsure about ANYTHING.
Treatment finshed at 4.30 (early eh ?) and we came home , picking Milo up from Mother-in-Law on the way. Felt pretty nauseous so went with out tea, until the anti sickness pills kicked in, even then it was only Soup !
Feeling really tired went to bed at 9.45 and checked my bloods, over 26, but as I was on steroids this was expected now, tho I still have to take huge doses of insulin to keep them down below 20 !. After sleepless night, checked them again this morning and they were remarkably down to just 12.8. Tho after breakfast, toast, and another steriod , by 2pm they were back up to 22 again.
My arms ache, and my left , particulary around the sight of canula is very tender, and this new mouth wash ,Difflam,I have to take 4 times a day to try and get rid of these really annoying mouth ulcers that I have had for what feels like a month!
I know it seems like I am just moaning , but I never expected to feel this shit. Cant work like this, and I feel like I am letting my workmates down, especially the guys in Despatch.
I know there are other people with cancer, far, far worse off than me, and I really do feel sorry for them, but I am afraid I can't help feeling sorry for myself a bit too. Life seems so unfair, somebody has to have shit luck, but why me. I mean , I havent exactly had the best of health the last 19 years !! Tho on the positive side, I survived all that crap, so I should , by rightrs, survive this !
On the plus side , after my smaller dose on Thursday 21/4 , Sarah Pascoe has decided to give me a 4 week break before the final cycle of this first set. This is to give me a chance to get my white cell count back up to normal.
Thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings and I really appreciate your comments.
Enjoy your weekend
Stay safe & Well xxx
Thursday, 7 April 2011
Day 17 Harder than I thought
Went back to work Monday 4th April and it was hard , I got dispensation to reduce my hours form 12 per shift to 10, but even that was a chore. I was warned that days 4,5&6 after chemo you would feel tired but , man ! I was falling asleep after being home for just 30 minutes or so !!
After a chat with the Occupational Therapy Nurse at work , she said she would reccommend that my shifts after chemo be reduced further to 8 hours, that would make a hell of a difference I think :o)
Sun is still shining, well they do say the sun shines on the righteous ;o) and I plan to make the most of it until my next Chemo All Dayer on the 14th ! Cant be going to Orlando without a bit of a tan already ;o)
So looking forward to this trip, it may not be until September but its only 5 months away and I can taste the Lobster at Millers already !!! :o) This time we are definitely going to take the trip up to Daytona, just so I can cross it off my "Bucket list " ;o)
Really must go and sit in the garden now, the sun is calling my name as is that nice cold can of Diet Coke .
Take care All
xxxx
After a chat with the Occupational Therapy Nurse at work , she said she would reccommend that my shifts after chemo be reduced further to 8 hours, that would make a hell of a difference I think :o)
Sun is still shining, well they do say the sun shines on the righteous ;o) and I plan to make the most of it until my next Chemo All Dayer on the 14th ! Cant be going to Orlando without a bit of a tan already ;o)
So looking forward to this trip, it may not be until September but its only 5 months away and I can taste the Lobster at Millers already !!! :o) This time we are definitely going to take the trip up to Daytona, just so I can cross it off my "Bucket list " ;o)
Really must go and sit in the garden now, the sun is calling my name as is that nice cold can of Diet Coke .
Take care All
xxxx
Friday, 1 April 2011
Day 11 Side effects arrive
Had the 2nd dose yesterday afternoon, and I was surprised how quickly it went, tho I did fall asleep during the infusion. Unusual that as I had a very early night, 8.15, the night before.
By late evening I started to feel quite unwell, shivering but with sweats, been monitorining my temps and they appear normal-ish, 33.7-34.5. Aches did'nt start till the middle of the night as did the feeling of nausea, thank god I had those tabs still.
Alarm went off for work at 4.30, but the way I was feeling, there was no way I could make it at that time, so I returned to sleep. Woke again at 6.50 with the added symptom of a mouth full of ulcers and the taste that was like I had been sucking a lump of metal all night.
Gave up any hope of going to work and phoned in ,
Strange as it may seem , I am really missing work. I haven't been since the 21st March and I was really looking forward to it as I hadnt had any REAL side effects after my first dose, except the tiredness so I am disappointed to say the least.
Have made a call to the Chemo unit at Derriford just to confirm my symptoms and ask of any action I can take, just awaiting a call back now, they are very good. the nurses are all so helpful and understanding a credit to their profession. Can't be the easiest job in the world
Just had the call back from Chemo unit and my symptoms are to be expected tho have manifested themselves rather quickly! Nothing untoward to worry about :o)
With that GOOD news I will sign off and leave you all to enjoy your weekends.
Stay well and Safe ...oh and dont forget your Mums !!!!!
xx
By late evening I started to feel quite unwell, shivering but with sweats, been monitorining my temps and they appear normal-ish, 33.7-34.5. Aches did'nt start till the middle of the night as did the feeling of nausea, thank god I had those tabs still.
Alarm went off for work at 4.30, but the way I was feeling, there was no way I could make it at that time, so I returned to sleep. Woke again at 6.50 with the added symptom of a mouth full of ulcers and the taste that was like I had been sucking a lump of metal all night.
Gave up any hope of going to work and phoned in ,
Strange as it may seem , I am really missing work. I haven't been since the 21st March and I was really looking forward to it as I hadnt had any REAL side effects after my first dose, except the tiredness so I am disappointed to say the least.
Have made a call to the Chemo unit at Derriford just to confirm my symptoms and ask of any action I can take, just awaiting a call back now, they are very good. the nurses are all so helpful and understanding a credit to their profession. Can't be the easiest job in the world
Just had the call back from Chemo unit and my symptoms are to be expected tho have manifested themselves rather quickly! Nothing untoward to worry about :o)
With that GOOD news I will sign off and leave you all to enjoy your weekends.
Stay well and Safe ...oh and dont forget your Mums !!!!!
xx
Monday, 28 March 2011
Day 7
Yep , its 7 days since my first dose and the last few days have been pretty uneventfull symptoms wise, ge the occassional queasiness, tho I do have tabs for that and I do get tired real easy . So apart form the sky high blood sugars (24+), which was due to the steriods , I have got away pretty lightly! :o)
I have a blood test tomorrow to see if I am up to have my second dose, tho I can't see any reason why I should'nt. Just glad this 2nd dose is not a repeat of the first !!!
Bloody good jobthe weathers been so fine while I've been off, felt great walking round Looe yesterday and eating sausafe and chips looking over the beach , what a alife eh !!!
Right I best get off to bed its nearly quarter to 8 and I need my beauty sleep.
Safe safe everyone
Love ya
xx
I have a blood test tomorrow to see if I am up to have my second dose, tho I can't see any reason why I should'nt. Just glad this 2nd dose is not a repeat of the first !!!
Bloody good jobthe weathers been so fine while I've been off, felt great walking round Looe yesterday and eating sausafe and chips looking over the beach , what a alife eh !!!
Right I best get off to bed its nearly quarter to 8 and I need my beauty sleep.
Safe safe everyone
Love ya
xx
Thursday, 24 March 2011
Day 2
Thanks guys for all your comments,its really great to know that you are wishing me well and that I am not having to go thru this alone! :o)
The main drawback today is controlling my diabetes, levels are way up !!! 23+ !!! I was warned mind ,tho it is still abit of a shock.
The sun is shining and its so easy to forget whats happening :o) tho in the quiet , night time , the mind does kinda bring the reality of it home. It never really sank in, till last night, how serious this could become; I'm like "Shit!!! people DIE of this crap !" Still its early days and I've been told there is a 80% survival rate :o) Cool eh ?
Anyhow, time to take these two Schnauzers out .
Be safe. God bless xx
The main drawback today is controlling my diabetes, levels are way up !!! 23+ !!! I was warned mind ,tho it is still abit of a shock.
The sun is shining and its so easy to forget whats happening :o) tho in the quiet , night time , the mind does kinda bring the reality of it home. It never really sank in, till last night, how serious this could become; I'm like "Shit!!! people DIE of this crap !" Still its early days and I've been told there is a 80% survival rate :o) Cool eh ?
Anyhow, time to take these two Schnauzers out .
Be safe. God bless xx
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
Day 1
First off , I want to thank my Son's adorable fiancee, Michelle, for inspiring me to start a blog.
It enables me to let the people who really want to know how my treatment is going and how I am coping.
For the record I was diagnosed with non-Evasive Bladder Cancer in March 2010 and after undergoing treatment, which unfortunately failed to have the desire results and a 2nd course of treatment was terminated early,due to adverse reaction , the decison was taken on Christmas Eve 2010 to have my bladder removed and to have a Stoma fitted.
This surgery was due to take place on January 24th 2011, but was cancelled at the last minute as the surgeon had seen something on the Ultrasound that he didnt like the look of and a biopsy was ordered.
The results of this biopsy showed that I have TWO small tumours growing on the lymph nodes adjacent to my bowel and to have the surgery would of made the treatment of these tumours nigh on impossible or delayed it considerably.
The good surgeon Paul Hunter-Campbell referred me to a Consultant Oncologist Sarah Pascoe and a course of Chemotherapy has been put it place.
The first dose was administered yesterday 22/3/11, and took over 8 hours ! It didnt hurt, but the ammount of drugs and infusions I had was mindblowing. The anti sickness drugs worked fine tho I have to take three a day for two more days aswell as Steriods.
I feel ok today , tired and the queasiness comes and goes. I have been warned to expect to feel worse as my white blood cell count drops and I become more prone to infection.
Next dose is due next thursday 29/3 tho thankfully , this not a 8 hour infusion !
I would like to thank all my family and friends for their messages of support, especially my wife Julie , who seems to have put up with a lot from me healthwise over the last 19 years, she truly is a saint!
Stay well , please xx
It enables me to let the people who really want to know how my treatment is going and how I am coping.
For the record I was diagnosed with non-Evasive Bladder Cancer in March 2010 and after undergoing treatment, which unfortunately failed to have the desire results and a 2nd course of treatment was terminated early,due to adverse reaction , the decison was taken on Christmas Eve 2010 to have my bladder removed and to have a Stoma fitted.
This surgery was due to take place on January 24th 2011, but was cancelled at the last minute as the surgeon had seen something on the Ultrasound that he didnt like the look of and a biopsy was ordered.
The results of this biopsy showed that I have TWO small tumours growing on the lymph nodes adjacent to my bowel and to have the surgery would of made the treatment of these tumours nigh on impossible or delayed it considerably.
The good surgeon Paul Hunter-Campbell referred me to a Consultant Oncologist Sarah Pascoe and a course of Chemotherapy has been put it place.
The first dose was administered yesterday 22/3/11, and took over 8 hours ! It didnt hurt, but the ammount of drugs and infusions I had was mindblowing. The anti sickness drugs worked fine tho I have to take three a day for two more days aswell as Steriods.
I feel ok today , tired and the queasiness comes and goes. I have been warned to expect to feel worse as my white blood cell count drops and I become more prone to infection.
Next dose is due next thursday 29/3 tho thankfully , this not a 8 hour infusion !
I would like to thank all my family and friends for their messages of support, especially my wife Julie , who seems to have put up with a lot from me healthwise over the last 19 years, she truly is a saint!
Stay well , please xx
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