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
Friday, 15 April 2011
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
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