Treatment 4/8

Half way there! The treatment went well today, except that i lost one of the steroids under the fridge! Managed to get another at the hospital though. I wasn't really looking forwards to today after the rough time I'd had last time, but it could get better as i get used to the drugs. They have given me some strong painkillers just in case i need them, and mum has offered to come over and keep me company again! I have extra anti sickness drugs in case, like last Saturday, it starts up again. The feeling sick didn't manage to spoil the lovely day at the birthday party though. Sometimes i just have to do things and be ill, can't just stop and wait till it's all over.

I've had lots of really good support from family and friends, cards and emails etc, and it really makes a difference, so thanks to everyone :-)

Solitaire

This week hasn't been too good. I had a good rest on Monday and was expecting to be fine and back at work on Tuesday, but started to feel ill Monday night. I didn't sleep and by Tuesday morning felt worse. Mum had agreed to come over and look after me, so I phoned and she came Tuesday afternoon. I didn't feel like doing anything at all, so we sat on the sofa, in the sun, and played solitaire on the Asus! I was a little better on Wednesday morning, so mum went home after lunch and I had a nap. Thursday I was able to move around a bit more, and started to feel more alert so planned to go back to work on Friday. However, Friday morning shower and hair wash was too much for me and I stayed at home to rest again.

The treatment seems to be affecting all of my body, and it's not like an illness where you are in pain in one part of the body and it then goes away. The various pains and feelings change and there is no regular pattern. Here is the (full!) list of what I have experienced this week:

Swollen and painful glands in my neck, head, chest, underarms and groin. Normal painkillers didn't work, nor did stronger co-codomol.
Aching lymph (I'm assuming the pain was coming from the lymph 'veins') in my upper arms and thighs
Painful joints in my shoulders, left wrist and right hip
Pain and bloating in my stomach and abdomen
Constipation and then the opposite! (And, for those interested, the darkest, strongest smelling urine!)
General feeling of weakness and tiredness
Not being able to sleep - feeling wide awake and feeling too uncomfortable to rest at night
Tingling and numbness in my tongue, fingers and toes
High pulse rate - I could feel my heart racing even when resting
Light-headed and dizzy after standing for a few minutes
Feeling sick and no appetite
Sudden stabbing pains in the middle of my back

Some of these effects of the treatment are what I expected but every person reacts to the treatment differently. Ian says that I am very sensitive to the treatment - I hope this means that it is working exceptionally well too!

Planning

I keep hoping that a pattern will emerge and I will know when I will be ill, but no! After the last treatment, one of the few side effects that hadn't yet got me finally caught up with me. Thursday I was very tired and dozed and slept most of the day, fortunately started to feel better in the evening and so back at work on Friday. I had planned a busy weekend with 2 BBQs and a trip to an arts festival and managed to do all I wanted, but I was very tired on Sunday but couldn't sleep! So had a day to rest at home today. In the past, the few days after the treatment have been the best and where I have felt most energetic.

Fortunately, most of the other side effects seem to be less severe, so my mouth is not too bad, and my digestive system seems to be coping! My hair loss seemed to have slowed down, but then another lot started to fall over the weekend. People keep reminding me that I have a lot of hair, so it might just last!  

Treatment 3/8

I met Ian at the clinic yesterday to review my blood test results and all seemed fine. They check to see how my white blood cells are doing. The chemotherapy attacks them but if they get too low I will be at risk of infection. Mine were low, but not too low to go ahead with the next round of treatment. It's a tricky balance to get right!

Had the third treatment session today and went well! The drugs all went in fine and fairly quickly, not much waiting at the clinic for the rest of my drugs to bring home. A lovely sunny day so I walked home from the hospital in time for lunch! Sarah and the children came over and we all went to the park - a marvelous afternoon!

I have extra and different drugs for the various side effects, and hopefully, they will work and I won't be as ill this time round. I have already planned a busy weekend ahead so I'd better be OK!

Next session in 3 weeks and I will be half way there!

Hair today....

I was told that I wouldn't lose my hair with this form of chemotherapy, but that it might thin. However, my hair started to fall out rather dramatically on Monday - not very nice especially when I wasn't expecting to lose it! I've had my hair cut shorter and hope it will stop soon.

I had arranged to babysit for Penny and Lucas on Sunday and Monday but my mouth has been sore so I came home early on Monday. I phoned Ian for advice - I think it's a reaction to the Vinchristine and he suggested some paracetamol, antihistamine and a mouthwash. He even dropped the prescription off for me on his way home from work! How about that for a supportive caring NHS! My mouth is feeling a bit better, but still sore when I eat.

Treatment 2/8

Is it just me, or does 1/4 of the way there sound better than 25%? I had hoped the second round of treatment would be quicker and with fewer reactions, and I was lucky! We were out by 2.30 and soon home. I took some pictures of  my 20 steroids I take with breakfast, the very nice new cancer centre and the comfy chairs!

The three weeks since the first treatment seemed to have gone very quickly. The last week at work felt like normal life again - I've been eating, sleeping well and just  a little tired. It almost felt like there was nothing the matter! I hope this round of treatment has fewer side effects and normal life continues!

Back to work

Fortunately, the antihistamine and paracetamol worked and by Tuesday evening the allergy had almost gone and I was feeling back to normal!

I cycled to work on Wednesday morning, thinking that it was all downhill, but it wore me out! I looked like I'd run a marathon when I got to work and I needed a hour to recover! Keith came to pick me up at lunchtime and I came home for a rest. I rested on Thursday, gradually realizing that even when I don't feel very ill, I am actually still fighting a battle internally.

Work on Friday was much better (no cycling - Keith gave me a lift in) and a chance to catch up on emails, meetings and get things organised. I'm still determined to carry on working throughout the treatment, and I had a chance to chat to Sue about possible ways to minimize disruption if I need to take time off. They are all very supportive at work, I'm very lucky to work in this kind of environment.

I had a very good weekend, lots of visitors bringing food and flowers, and a lovely walk in the woods on Sunday. I think my plan to enjoy the days when I am well is going to be a good one!

Even more good news is that my swollen glands in my groin have all gone which means I can walk and sit comfortably and I've lost a few pounds of the weight I put on in Barcelona!