The reduced dose of vincristine definitely made a difference! I was unwell on Tuesday, but a lot better on Wednesday, I was almost thinking I'd be back at work on Thursday! However, started to get pain again in my stomach Wednesday evening and felt pretty rough on Thursday. Part of it is my feeling mad that I'm not better! Back to work on Friday though and out to see James Bond film too. Even if the number of cycles stays at 8, I think it will be a lot easier to handle. But if the next one really is the last that will be great!
Saturday, 27 October 2012
Tuesday, 16 October 2012
Good news!
I had an MRI scan last Saturday afternoon (the appointment nearly ruined my shopping day with Sarah) and the results were ready today for my review at the hospital. To my relief, the scan showed that all my lymph nodes are back to normal, suggesting that the treatment really is working! After talking to the doctor about how the treatment has been affecting me he said that they would reduce the vincristine dose to half. This means I shouldn't be so ill afterwards. In addition, he said that they may reduce the total number of treatments from 8 to 6, meaning just 1 more after tomorrow. Then i will just have the Rituximab every 8 weeks for 2 years, but i don't think there are many side effects from that.
My hair will probably last if there are just 2 treatments left!
Saturday, 6 October 2012
Blue
It's been another long week. I felt poorly again from Tues-Friday, but not as bad as cycle 3. Mum came over to keep me company on Tuesday and Wednesday and we sat in the sunny bay window with our laptops on our knees! I'd hoped to be better by Friday, but my stomach was still sore, and not much better today. Feeling blue, despite the sunny day and Jan's birthday party to look forwards to. I'm fed up of being ill now and ready for it all to be over! However, I have now made it through the 4th cycle. Four more to go...
One of the strange things about being ill is the lost time. I've now spent days sitting in the bay window, resting, reading, playing solitaire! It's a kind of listless limbo while I wait to get back to normal. Some days I've done bits of work on the laptop for Keith, searching for teaching resources, and typing up handouts and cover-sheets. Other days I've hardly even read a few pages.
I was inspired a few months ago by watching Jane McGonigal on TED talk about how she used a game to help her get better from an illness. She has then gone on to set up an online 'game' to enable everyone to try it out too! Basically, you get 'points' for doing things that help make you better - ie contacting friends and family, exercising etc even when you don't feel like it. I've signed up and it seems good (also a gentle distraction when I'm not feeling great!) I don't have many points yet, so if anyone wants to join in and help me get points you can be one of my allies - go to www.superbetter.com and take a look at the videos. Email me if you want to be an ally!
My next treatment date is 17 Oct and I'm likely to be poorly the week after so if anyone wants to phone, email, send chocolates (!) that would be a good week to do it!
One of the strange things about being ill is the lost time. I've now spent days sitting in the bay window, resting, reading, playing solitaire! It's a kind of listless limbo while I wait to get back to normal. Some days I've done bits of work on the laptop for Keith, searching for teaching resources, and typing up handouts and cover-sheets. Other days I've hardly even read a few pages.
I was inspired a few months ago by watching Jane McGonigal on TED talk about how she used a game to help her get better from an illness. She has then gone on to set up an online 'game' to enable everyone to try it out too! Basically, you get 'points' for doing things that help make you better - ie contacting friends and family, exercising etc even when you don't feel like it. I've signed up and it seems good (also a gentle distraction when I'm not feeling great!) I don't have many points yet, so if anyone wants to join in and help me get points you can be one of my allies - go to www.superbetter.com and take a look at the videos. Email me if you want to be an ally!
My next treatment date is 17 Oct and I'm likely to be poorly the week after so if anyone wants to phone, email, send chocolates (!) that would be a good week to do it!
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