The G-CSF seem to be working, in that I am feeling good!! Interestingly I have developed tonsillitis again- this is the third time!! BUT- I do not have a temperature, or feel anywhere near as bad as last time, which is fantastic.
We went out last night to a Eurovision evening at the Lovells, which was great fun, and we stayed until 11.15 when the results were in. Nigel was supporting Russia, so had to do an ice skating pirouette finale to the evening........
When we got home we realised it was the first time I had been out in 9 weeks!!! So, I am obviously delighted that I felt well enough, and had a great time, and hopefully will still have 10 days of feeling good.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
My head must be getting heavier!
Well, I managed to miss my daughter's birthday party by being asleep on saturday, so decided to skip church as a family on Sunday and try to have a good day together. I had a dozy day on the sofa with her coming in and out to me, and managed to do the 'cake and presents' thing, though not altogether 'chirpy'!
I paid for it yesterday as I could hardly wake up at all.
Today the sleep is still not leaving me- I am napping endlessly and feeling really drained. I am also waking up with really sore ears the whole time- I think from sleeping so heavily, though it is bizarre to be happening so regularly. Maybe the hair gave more protection before!!
Nigel managed to find some fat on me last night and the first injection was fairly painless which was good, as I did not particuarly feel like going through the process! And -so far so good in terms of side effects- no back ache or flu symptoms yet! I am not sure if there is a cumulative effect, or whether I can say that this is going to be OK- let's hope it is the latter!
I could do with it all kicking in now, and to feel like I am turning a corner- for some reason this time is feeling a really slow process.
I paid for it yesterday as I could hardly wake up at all.
Today the sleep is still not leaving me- I am napping endlessly and feeling really drained. I am also waking up with really sore ears the whole time- I think from sleeping so heavily, though it is bizarre to be happening so regularly. Maybe the hair gave more protection before!!
Nigel managed to find some fat on me last night and the first injection was fairly painless which was good, as I did not particuarly feel like going through the process! And -so far so good in terms of side effects- no back ache or flu symptoms yet! I am not sure if there is a cumulative effect, or whether I can say that this is going to be OK- let's hope it is the latter!
I could do with it all kicking in now, and to feel like I am turning a corner- for some reason this time is feeling a really slow process.
Friday, May 16, 2008
3 down , 3 to go
Yesterday I had chemo in the morning- a change from my last two sessions- and it went uneventfully. So much so that mum, Nigel and I all went out for lunch afterwards, enjoying the weather. 4 o'clock I went to bed for 2hours feeling ghastly. At 7 o'clock the lunch made an unattractive reappearance- but I felt significantly better for it and have been feeling a lot less nauseous ever since. Today just back into tired routine- have already slept from 11 till 3- and have started with the horrible taste and dry mouth.
I would like to think I was half way through this, but I think I have to get to the end of this cycle before I can claim that- although it is nice to know that I only have 3 more actual chemo days left.
Nigel has been taught how to give the injections from monday onwards, and is obviously well up for it- that is probably why he took up dentistry! The instructions tell him to try and find some abdominal fat which will of course be a challenge for him!! Apparently alongside a bad back they can also give severe flu like symptoms- fever, chills and body aches. Hurrah again!
I am trying to remain as positive as possible, but sometimes have difficulty finding an 'up' side to any of this!!
I would like to think I was half way through this, but I think I have to get to the end of this cycle before I can claim that- although it is nice to know that I only have 3 more actual chemo days left.
Nigel has been taught how to give the injections from monday onwards, and is obviously well up for it- that is probably why he took up dentistry! The instructions tell him to try and find some abdominal fat which will of course be a challenge for him!! Apparently alongside a bad back they can also give severe flu like symptoms- fever, chills and body aches. Hurrah again!
I am trying to remain as positive as possible, but sometimes have difficulty finding an 'up' side to any of this!!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Good News
I went to Weston Park today for more blood tests and to chat through my next chemo session. The PICC line was well behaved, so I didn't need stabbing again, and the blood results were great- my liver function is back to normal and my white cell count was also high.
They have decided that it would be good to avoid another hospital visit if possible, so they are going to give me some GCSF injections from day 5 onwards. This will stimulate the white cells to grow more quickly and make me less susceptible to infection. So, the district nurse will visit me on tuesday and teach Nigel how to stab me on a daily basis for 5 further days!!
Because it stimulates the bone marrow it can cause really bad backache (hurrah.......!), but an advantage of Nigel administering the injections is that he can do it late at night and I can take a painkiller and sleep through the discomfort. Sounds like a plan-we shall see if it works!! Apparently if it is too painful they can give me a different formula next time. And they probably will have perfected my medication by the last visit!!!
So, session 3 on thursday, and then a further 3 to go..........
They have decided that it would be good to avoid another hospital visit if possible, so they are going to give me some GCSF injections from day 5 onwards. This will stimulate the white cells to grow more quickly and make me less susceptible to infection. So, the district nurse will visit me on tuesday and teach Nigel how to stab me on a daily basis for 5 further days!!
Because it stimulates the bone marrow it can cause really bad backache (hurrah.......!), but an advantage of Nigel administering the injections is that he can do it late at night and I can take a painkiller and sleep through the discomfort. Sounds like a plan-we shall see if it works!! Apparently if it is too painful they can give me a different formula next time. And they probably will have perfected my medication by the last visit!!!
So, session 3 on thursday, and then a further 3 to go..........
Saturday, May 10, 2008
observations on hospital life
My bed was at the kitchen end of the ward, and from there I had a wonderful experience of life I had not previously known.
Some things I learnt.........
Tea cups and saucers rattle on their way into the dishwasher, and out, and on to the tea trolley- this happens at least 8 times a day.
The ice cube machine rattles all day long, especially first thing in the morning and about 4 pm when endless jugs are filled.
The kitchen is a great place for nurses to congregate at 4 am for a chat.
When a nurse says ' I will do your drugs at 6 am' it is code word for 4.45am- every time!
Sometimes empty beds need changing at 1 am, and this will involve lights and chatting.
Stainless steel may be hygeinic in a kitchen, but quiet it is not.
Some patients have unbelievable belching habits- louder than a bear!- and can continue throughout the night without stopping.
If 6 am is a reasonable time to wake everyone up with a drink, then 5 am is a reasonable time to load the tea trolley.
Hospital may sound a good place to lie in bed and sleep all day, but in reality very little sleep can be had, and you will return home exhausted!
However, there were many things I was grateful for.....
At least 8 cups of tea a day! Very British- 'how about a nice cuppa?'
A jug of fresh iced water changed twice daily.
Scrupulously clean sheets changed daily.
Room mates to share the boredom and share a laugh.
Nurses who worked day and night to look after me.
All in all, I was grateful to be cared for so well, but will be packing earplugs for my next trip!
Some things I learnt.........
Tea cups and saucers rattle on their way into the dishwasher, and out, and on to the tea trolley- this happens at least 8 times a day.
The ice cube machine rattles all day long, especially first thing in the morning and about 4 pm when endless jugs are filled.
The kitchen is a great place for nurses to congregate at 4 am for a chat.
When a nurse says ' I will do your drugs at 6 am' it is code word for 4.45am- every time!
Sometimes empty beds need changing at 1 am, and this will involve lights and chatting.
Stainless steel may be hygeinic in a kitchen, but quiet it is not.
Some patients have unbelievable belching habits- louder than a bear!- and can continue throughout the night without stopping.
If 6 am is a reasonable time to wake everyone up with a drink, then 5 am is a reasonable time to load the tea trolley.
Hospital may sound a good place to lie in bed and sleep all day, but in reality very little sleep can be had, and you will return home exhausted!
However, there were many things I was grateful for.....
At least 8 cups of tea a day! Very British- 'how about a nice cuppa?'
A jug of fresh iced water changed twice daily.
Scrupulously clean sheets changed daily.
Room mates to share the boredom and share a laugh.
Nurses who worked day and night to look after me.
All in all, I was grateful to be cared for so well, but will be packing earplugs for my next trip!
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Quickie
Just to say I was released from hospital this afternoon, but blood count still very low, so I need to be careful and go back in if I feel at all unwell. 4 nights was long enough - so please pray I can remain OUT !
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Aaargghh!
Well, my cough developed into a sniffle and a congested head, so I phoned the hospital just to check, and spent yesterday morning having blood taken and being prodded around. My white cells were VERY low, so they decided I needed to be hospitalised for my cold!!
I was not very pleased, but gradually felt worse even as I was in hospital, until I was shaking violently and freezing- asked for a blanket and they stripped my bed, opened the window and snatched my wig off!! Apparently my temperature had spiked dangerously high and they had to cool me down, so now I am stuck in for at least 3 days on intravenous antibiotics.
Taking blood was the usual fun- in the morning I had sister of 'Mrs Bullsfoot' (from biopsy day) who stabbed and prodded and seemed to be doing backstitch with her needle!! In the evening I had young Mr 'I'm quite good at this' Freshman, who despite warning attempted the arm no professional has ever found blood in.
'OOh I think I 've found one' he exclaimed. ''Think' does not inspire me with confidence' I squeak- 'what else could it be?' 'Well, it could be a tendon or the head of the biceps.......' he nervously ventured.
'Are you sure you don't want to try this other hand???'
He eventually concedes defeat and starts slapping my hand. Mid slap he says ' we are taught never to do this'........I am not sure what the appropriate response should be at that point- though the thought of slapping him back did occur to me! But then he hit the jackpot, and all was forgiven!
I could not think of much at all to be grateful for yesterday, though somehow a mug of Horlicks and some Bourbon biscuits sent me to sleep with a smile on my face.
I was not very pleased, but gradually felt worse even as I was in hospital, until I was shaking violently and freezing- asked for a blanket and they stripped my bed, opened the window and snatched my wig off!! Apparently my temperature had spiked dangerously high and they had to cool me down, so now I am stuck in for at least 3 days on intravenous antibiotics.
Taking blood was the usual fun- in the morning I had sister of 'Mrs Bullsfoot' (from biopsy day) who stabbed and prodded and seemed to be doing backstitch with her needle!! In the evening I had young Mr 'I'm quite good at this' Freshman, who despite warning attempted the arm no professional has ever found blood in.
'OOh I think I 've found one' he exclaimed. ''Think' does not inspire me with confidence' I squeak- 'what else could it be?' 'Well, it could be a tendon or the head of the biceps.......' he nervously ventured.
'Are you sure you don't want to try this other hand???'
He eventually concedes defeat and starts slapping my hand. Mid slap he says ' we are taught never to do this'........I am not sure what the appropriate response should be at that point- though the thought of slapping him back did occur to me! But then he hit the jackpot, and all was forgiven!
I could not think of much at all to be grateful for yesterday, though somehow a mug of Horlicks and some Bourbon biscuits sent me to sleep with a smile on my face.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
I have not been blogging due to lack of energy!
Had chemo on wednesday and although not sick, have been nauseous and very, very tired since then. On tuesday I thought I was turning a corner, but yesterday had 3 naps in the day again!!
The nausea has now gone though which is brilliant.
I have, however, now developed an irritating dry cough, so am praying that does not develop into anything worse as my blood count is on its way down again and I am approaching the time when I am vulnerable to infection.
I now have a serious backlog of paperwork, which I need focus for over the next few days- so please pray I don't get distracted by beds and sofas- they seem to attract me very easily at the moment!!!
Had chemo on wednesday and although not sick, have been nauseous and very, very tired since then. On tuesday I thought I was turning a corner, but yesterday had 3 naps in the day again!!
The nausea has now gone though which is brilliant.
I have, however, now developed an irritating dry cough, so am praying that does not develop into anything worse as my blood count is on its way down again and I am approaching the time when I am vulnerable to infection.
I now have a serious backlog of paperwork, which I need focus for over the next few days- so please pray I don't get distracted by beds and sofas- they seem to attract me very easily at the moment!!!
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