Last weekend was fantastic, I felt healthier than I have for about 6 months, maybe a little longer.
So I was quite cheerful when I went in for my second infusion of cytotoxic juice, aka chemo. While I was there, Nicky nicked off to have her hair done, she looks fabulous BTW; she referred to it as her 'appointment' because she felt it would be insensitive to say 'haircut' amongst a bunch of chemo patients loosing their hair. Made me chuckle.
The actual treatment went off without a hitch, but I have been brought back down to earth with a bump, and maybe a bounce or two. The after effects are compounded by the accumulation of junk and I have to admit that I am not up to much at the moment. I have all the right medications so it is totally manageable, and will probably pass in 3 or 4 days, but still, uurrrgh.
We have finally sorted out my disability pay and I should be getting my first check within the next couple of weeks, phew, I was beginning to wonder how I was going to pay the AppleTV bill.
We have yet to hear from BA regarding the refund of our flights, hopefully there will be some progress this week.
Right, I'm off to the couch to be waited on hand and foot.
NIIIIICCCCKKKKYYYYY, CHOCOLATE MILK, NOOOOOWWWW.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Counts are up
My latest set of blood tests show both white and hemoglobin counts are climbing which is really good news; no meds for the next couple of days, hooray!
No news on the sed-rate, should get that result on Tuesday, all the signs suggest that it should be lower which would indicate that the treatment is working.
Aside from general weakness I am actually feeling pretty good, this weekend should be relatively normal, of course the next batch of chemo is scheduled for Tuesday next, so it wont last, but even so.
We continue to be fed and watered by our amazing friends, I can't tell you how grateful we are for the sustenance, especially as I am currently eating like a horse, Nicky is going to have me fitted with a nosebag to save on washing up.
Dad went back today, which is very sad, hopefully he can come back for Christmas, the kids may actually demand it.
Nicky says that I am grumpy, which I know I am; I'll do my best to not be but there are only so many episodes of spongebob you can watch before you take on the persona of squidward.
No news on the sed-rate, should get that result on Tuesday, all the signs suggest that it should be lower which would indicate that the treatment is working.
Aside from general weakness I am actually feeling pretty good, this weekend should be relatively normal, of course the next batch of chemo is scheduled for Tuesday next, so it wont last, but even so.
We continue to be fed and watered by our amazing friends, I can't tell you how grateful we are for the sustenance, especially as I am currently eating like a horse, Nicky is going to have me fitted with a nosebag to save on washing up.
Dad went back today, which is very sad, hopefully he can come back for Christmas, the kids may actually demand it.
Nicky says that I am grumpy, which I know I am; I'll do my best to not be but there are only so many episodes of spongebob you can watch before you take on the persona of squidward.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Checking the counts
Nicky and I have just returned from the oncologists. They checked my counts and I am relieved to say that my white counts are great and even my hemoglobin is improved. Great news.
I still feel particularly weak, especially in the legs, but that is to be expected.
Everyone continues to be incredibly kind. Nicky had a girls night out on Sunday and was basically prevented from opening her purse at every turn. Thanks ladies, she really appreciated it.
We also have a constant supply of dinners turning up at the house which really relieves some of the day to day rigmarole. The dinners are always delicious and because of the steroids, I am always hungry! Danielle dropped of ribs and corn this afternoon, I can't wait.
Missing work, not that I could contribute much at the moment but I miss my friends and the feeling of being involved. Still, I am enjoying watching the progress they are making, even if from afar.
I have more blood tests on Thursday in readiness for the next chemo, we should get a small measure of how effective the last treatment was, something called a sed-rate, hopefully I'll have more good news for you then. Ta Ta.
I still feel particularly weak, especially in the legs, but that is to be expected.
Everyone continues to be incredibly kind. Nicky had a girls night out on Sunday and was basically prevented from opening her purse at every turn. Thanks ladies, she really appreciated it.
We also have a constant supply of dinners turning up at the house which really relieves some of the day to day rigmarole. The dinners are always delicious and because of the steroids, I am always hungry! Danielle dropped of ribs and corn this afternoon, I can't wait.
Missing work, not that I could contribute much at the moment but I miss my friends and the feeling of being involved. Still, I am enjoying watching the progress they are making, even if from afar.
I have more blood tests on Thursday in readiness for the next chemo, we should get a small measure of how effective the last treatment was, something called a sed-rate, hopefully I'll have more good news for you then. Ta Ta.
Friday, September 5, 2008
No sleep for me
Well this is the second night in a row that I have managed no more than two hours sleep.
It's not a case of not being able to close my eyes and drop off, more a sudden waking with a million thoughts rushing through my head.
It could be the steroids, which I am almost done with for this session but definitely worth a query to the powers that be.
Dad arrived today which lifted my spirits enormously, he's only here for a week which seems ridiculously short but I'll take what I can get.
Nicky continues to fire on all cylinders, taking care of an occasionally grumpy Justin can not be that much fun. An old military friend of mine who had a similar experience with his beau suggested I apologize now for all the things I might say, good advice I think.
I am going to go and lie in front of the TV and see if early morning TV can dull my mind enough to make me sleep.
It's not a case of not being able to close my eyes and drop off, more a sudden waking with a million thoughts rushing through my head.
It could be the steroids, which I am almost done with for this session but definitely worth a query to the powers that be.
Dad arrived today which lifted my spirits enormously, he's only here for a week which seems ridiculously short but I'll take what I can get.
Nicky continues to fire on all cylinders, taking care of an occasionally grumpy Justin can not be that much fun. An old military friend of mine who had a similar experience with his beau suggested I apologize now for all the things I might say, good advice I think.
I am going to go and lie in front of the TV and see if early morning TV can dull my mind enough to make me sleep.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Definitely knackered
Well the anti-nausea medicine seems to be doing its job, at least nominally; but I have to admit I am absolutely knackered.
Slept a lot today, but still feel incredibly drained. I forced myself out of the house just to walk around the block but I wasn't up for much more.
One day at a time, soon be through.
Slept a lot today, but still feel incredibly drained. I forced myself out of the house just to walk around the block but I wasn't up for much more.
One day at a time, soon be through.
The day after....
Well the day after yesterday, otherwise it sounds a little too dramatic.
Its been almost 24 hrs since the treatment and normal still seems to hold sway, but normal has some qualifications:
+ I am pretty dizzy but that could be the Hemoglobin count. It manifests as a rocking boat sensation, it is very strange.
+ My hand eye doesn't seem to be what it should, it has taken me some time to write this post!
I'll let you know if anything else materializes.
On a positive note, my Father arrives tomorrow, for a week. I am fully committed to taking him out onto the golf course, even if that means all I do is drive the cart. He loves playing here, the weather is a little more agreeable than the UK.
Kids are back in school and 'seem' to be doing well; Nicky has instituted a mandatory hand sanitizing regime in the house, if you visit expect to be bathed in Purell.
Chin Chin.
Its been almost 24 hrs since the treatment and normal still seems to hold sway, but normal has some qualifications:
+ I am pretty dizzy but that could be the Hemoglobin count. It manifests as a rocking boat sensation, it is very strange.
+ My hand eye doesn't seem to be what it should, it has taken me some time to write this post!
I'll let you know if anything else materializes.
On a positive note, my Father arrives tomorrow, for a week. I am fully committed to taking him out onto the golf course, even if that means all I do is drive the cart. He loves playing here, the weather is a little more agreeable than the UK.
Kids are back in school and 'seem' to be doing well; Nicky has instituted a mandatory hand sanitizing regime in the house, if you visit expect to be bathed in Purell.
Chin Chin.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
1 down, 13 to go
So my first treatment went off without a hitch. I definitely feel a little strange but not at all how I thought I would feel, still it is early days, still plenty of time for the nausea to take hold.
My nurse was called Alice and she was brilliant, very attentive and reassuring; it was a bit of a madhouse though, because of the holiday, a lot of appointments were stacked up, she tells me it will be much quieter next time.
One worrying development is that my hemoglobin continues to fall; they mentioned that I may need a transfusion soon; I'd rather not.
Anyway, not much else to say, feeling a bit icky now, heading for the couch. I'll pop back later with an update.
My nurse was called Alice and she was brilliant, very attentive and reassuring; it was a bit of a madhouse though, because of the holiday, a lot of appointments were stacked up, she tells me it will be much quieter next time.
One worrying development is that my hemoglobin continues to fall; they mentioned that I may need a transfusion soon; I'd rather not.
Anyway, not much else to say, feeling a bit icky now, heading for the couch. I'll pop back later with an update.
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