Having rejoiced greatly at the end of chemo, I am now becoming somewhat fed up with the ongoing physical side effects of the whole chemo process but more specifically the Taxotere treatments.
At the moment the fingernails on my left hand are starting to part company with the nail bed and I am hoping that the process stops before I actually lose the nails. On top of that, I have put on nearly a stone over the course of the chemo sessions and the Taxotere has made this even worse because of the fluid retention effect so I feel fat and have swollen ankles and feet, not to mention my left arm which is developing lymphedema. Aaaargh! I look like a Michelin woman.
On top of that, my eyes are streaming with tears most of the time – especially outside. Makes playing golf very tricky. The medical folks all say not to worry it – the effects will go and the weight will come off in time. Typically they won’t be pinned down as to how long all this will take.
I will just have to be patient.
I had a CT scan last week to get set up for radiotherapy. Very straightforward and I now have the two tiny tattoos. You can hardly see them – definitely no street cred to be had there.
Will start checking for hair regrowth when I get back from Venice.
Monday 19 October 2009
Tuesday 6 October 2009
October 6 - That's it...no more chemo
Tuesday 6 October.
I’m up and about! Tired and prone to falling asleep at the drop of a hat but upright and dressed which is better than when I was on hols. I took my own advice after the last chemo session and simply gave in.
The actual session was fine. In fact I couldn’t wait to get it done with so I really could say ‘ no more chemo’. Good thing it was the last session. I have no more useable veins in my right hand and arm so if I needed any more IVs I would be in trouble.
During the last session Dr S arrived to discuss the next steps – Radiotherapy - and we have arranged for me to have a planning session and CT scan on 13 October followed by the first blast of mega rays on 3 Nov at St Luke’s Cancer centre in Guildford. After that it is a daily trek to the hospital for a 10 minute session until 23 Nov when we will be all done. As ever I have had to sign the inevitable consent form, including giving permission to be tattooed! Apparently they like to put some permanent ‘dots’ in place so they know where to aim the RT. And I always said I would never have a tattoo!
Saw Mr P on the Thursday after chemo while I was still OK. A five minute follow up where he expressed himself more than happy with progress and asked me to come back in January. I’ll be interested to see how much we get charged for that visit. Had the last Neulasta jab Thursday afternoon and that was it.
Worked from home on Friday but was beginning to feel a bit spaced out and by Saturday I was sleeping most of the time. Sunday and Monday were much the same with the ‘bleugh’ feeling and lack of taste kicking in. I decided not to take the co-codamol but stuck to paracetamol for the bone pain. It sort of worked but I have had a lot of bone pain at night, which has made me a bit more tired than I planned. The positive is that I have not had as much of an upset stomach. Swings and roundabouts. Now though I think I might be able to do a bit of work tomorrow and even attempt some gentle Pilates on Thursday.
The chemo nurses have been great through all of this but I have to say I am delighted not to have to see them again. I did get to have a chat with the oncology liaison nurse before I left. Not about the treatment but about the pastoral care chap who has jumped ship and gone off to be a Roman Catholic priest. I jokingly said I hoped he wasn’t married and she floored me by saying not only was he married but he has two children. How does that work then? Answers in the comments section if you know. It’s all a bit ‘Thornbirds’ if you ask me.
Next stop Venice and then I shall be looking carefully in the mirror to spot the first signs of hair re-growth. So much to look forward to!
The wig is getting a bit worried. I shall work on a retirement plan for it. But it will still be needed for a few months yet I think.
I’m up and about! Tired and prone to falling asleep at the drop of a hat but upright and dressed which is better than when I was on hols. I took my own advice after the last chemo session and simply gave in.
The actual session was fine. In fact I couldn’t wait to get it done with so I really could say ‘ no more chemo’. Good thing it was the last session. I have no more useable veins in my right hand and arm so if I needed any more IVs I would be in trouble.
During the last session Dr S arrived to discuss the next steps – Radiotherapy - and we have arranged for me to have a planning session and CT scan on 13 October followed by the first blast of mega rays on 3 Nov at St Luke’s Cancer centre in Guildford. After that it is a daily trek to the hospital for a 10 minute session until 23 Nov when we will be all done. As ever I have had to sign the inevitable consent form, including giving permission to be tattooed! Apparently they like to put some permanent ‘dots’ in place so they know where to aim the RT. And I always said I would never have a tattoo!
Saw Mr P on the Thursday after chemo while I was still OK. A five minute follow up where he expressed himself more than happy with progress and asked me to come back in January. I’ll be interested to see how much we get charged for that visit. Had the last Neulasta jab Thursday afternoon and that was it.
Worked from home on Friday but was beginning to feel a bit spaced out and by Saturday I was sleeping most of the time. Sunday and Monday were much the same with the ‘bleugh’ feeling and lack of taste kicking in. I decided not to take the co-codamol but stuck to paracetamol for the bone pain. It sort of worked but I have had a lot of bone pain at night, which has made me a bit more tired than I planned. The positive is that I have not had as much of an upset stomach. Swings and roundabouts. Now though I think I might be able to do a bit of work tomorrow and even attempt some gentle Pilates on Thursday.
The chemo nurses have been great through all of this but I have to say I am delighted not to have to see them again. I did get to have a chat with the oncology liaison nurse before I left. Not about the treatment but about the pastoral care chap who has jumped ship and gone off to be a Roman Catholic priest. I jokingly said I hoped he wasn’t married and she floored me by saying not only was he married but he has two children. How does that work then? Answers in the comments section if you know. It’s all a bit ‘Thornbirds’ if you ask me.
Next stop Venice and then I shall be looking carefully in the mirror to spot the first signs of hair re-growth. So much to look forward to!
The wig is getting a bit worried. I shall work on a retirement plan for it. But it will still be needed for a few months yet I think.
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