Saw my Oncologist this morning - no nasty surprises this week!
I've finally started chemo after the talk about all the side effects. I'm on a mixture of tablets and drip. The tablets started today.
This is what I'm taking:
Capecitabine - the chemo drug
Motilium - to speed up digestion
Cyclizine - to stop the chemo drug making me sick
Dexamethasone - a steroid to reduce inflammation around the tumour
Lansoprazole - to stop acid reflux
Co-Diovan - for blood pressure
From this point onwards call me Mr Rattle!
First chemo on the drip is next Wednesday (30th Jan).
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Chemo Starts?
We go to see the Oncologist today and hopefully will start chemo and hear about any trials they can find me. Hope it's all good news. Eating is getting very difficult now, so painful that I'd rather not bother. Dr Bulusi (Oncologist) says that the chemo should help and if not they'll fit me a stent in my throat (lovely!).
We've booked a weekend away with the kids (we go this Friday), mum and dad and Chloe - luxury villa at Center Parcs - should be great fun. My parents are finding all this really hard.
We've booked a weekend away with the kids (we go this Friday), mum and dad and Chloe - luxury villa at Center Parcs - should be great fun. My parents are finding all this really hard.
Dreams
I've been having the most vivid dreams.
Two stand out, in one I'm canoeing down a shallow stream. I'm on my own. The stream is so shallow that the canoe 'bottoms out' nearly sometimes but I keep going. There are all sorts of creature swimming along with me. A few lay dead on the bank - a deer comes to mind.
In another someone I know leaves their partner. I counsel the partner, they are bereft. If you are a Christian and want a stab at interpretation then fire away and post me a comment! My long suffering wife gets really fed up of having every dream recounted in detail very morning so I thought I'd subject you to them instead.
Two stand out, in one I'm canoeing down a shallow stream. I'm on my own. The stream is so shallow that the canoe 'bottoms out' nearly sometimes but I keep going. There are all sorts of creature swimming along with me. A few lay dead on the bank - a deer comes to mind.
In another someone I know leaves their partner. I counsel the partner, they are bereft. If you are a Christian and want a stab at interpretation then fire away and post me a comment! My long suffering wife gets really fed up of having every dream recounted in detail very morning so I thought I'd subject you to them instead.
Amy Goes Home
We saw Amy and James off at Heathrow on Sunday. We had a great day; went ice skating to Milton Keynes and then had lunch out before heading to the M25. They didn't want to go!
I had to collect my pee in a bottle on Sunday which was a bit awkward as we were out and about all day. Carried it round in a little rucksack, a little difficult as I never could pee with any sense of direction (typical bloke!).
Since our meeting with the Oncologist Teresa has gone mad on the Internet looking up all sort alternative remedies and things I can run alongside the chemo. She's come up with loads, an organic diet, avoiding dairy (which it is thought can block the impact of chemo), B17 from Apricot kernels. If you are going through this too I've got two bits of advice:
1) Get into God
2) Get into the Internet - there is so much stuff out there
Our amazing Church met to pray for us on Sunday and have committed to pray once a month on a Sunday afternoon - we're blown away by their love - what a fantastic bunch of people.
Yesterday saw me visiting the Primose Unit for pre chemo bloods and urine checks. The bloods were done straight away and were great - I 'qualify' for chemo with such good blood. Just as well really as that's the only medical solution.
I had to collect my pee in a bottle on Sunday which was a bit awkward as we were out and about all day. Carried it round in a little rucksack, a little difficult as I never could pee with any sense of direction (typical bloke!).
Since our meeting with the Oncologist Teresa has gone mad on the Internet looking up all sort alternative remedies and things I can run alongside the chemo. She's come up with loads, an organic diet, avoiding dairy (which it is thought can block the impact of chemo), B17 from Apricot kernels. If you are going through this too I've got two bits of advice:
1) Get into God
2) Get into the Internet - there is so much stuff out there
Our amazing Church met to pray for us on Sunday and have committed to pray once a month on a Sunday afternoon - we're blown away by their love - what a fantastic bunch of people.
Yesterday saw me visiting the Primose Unit for pre chemo bloods and urine checks. The bloods were done straight away and were great - I 'qualify' for chemo with such good blood. Just as well really as that's the only medical solution.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Old Friends
We went to see Tony & Rachel Chiou this afternoon. They were our great mates years ago and we sort of drifted apart. It was great to see them - as though there had been no gap. Another good thing coming out of this mess!
This evening Dave, Suzy and Ben came round to collect Katy. This was a real tonic, we had a laugh, some wine and they brought donuts! I managed to get down in small bites. There's hope for the world whilst they still make Krispy Kreme donuts!
Amy and James are packing to go home to Aussie on Sunday. Can't believe this they've only just arrived.
Spoke to Mu yesterday and the church are meeting after the united service to pray for me - what a great church. We won't be there - we promise totake the family iceskating, then to lunch, then to Heathrow!
This evening Dave, Suzy and Ben came round to collect Katy. This was a real tonic, we had a laugh, some wine and they brought donuts! I managed to get down in small bites. There's hope for the world whilst they still make Krispy Kreme donuts!
Amy and James are packing to go home to Aussie on Sunday. Can't believe this they've only just arrived.
Spoke to Mu yesterday and the church are meeting after the united service to pray for me - what a great church. We won't be there - we promise totake the family iceskating, then to lunch, then to Heathrow!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Shock Result!
Went to see the oncologist today. Couldn't believe it! He says it's spread and I can't have the surgery. No surgery = no cure in human terms. 100% relying on God now - just as well he's a miracle expert.
They're going to blast me with chemo for as long as I can stand it and try and stop it spreading to other organs such as my liver etc.
Phoned Ken & Mu (Church leaders) first they were great; as always kind and practical at the same time. Went round to see Nick & Sarah for tea and cuddles.
They're going to blast me with chemo for as long as I can stand it and try and stop it spreading to other organs such as my liver etc.
Phoned Ken & Mu (Church leaders) first they were great; as always kind and practical at the same time. Went round to see Nick & Sarah for tea and cuddles.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Paranoid?
I had a call early from Eleanor Church (Macmillan nurse) to say that they'd had a conference call earlier that morning about my case. Looks as though I'll be having the chemo after all.
I asked her about staging. She was a little non - committal - thought perhaps she didn't want to tell me something or perhaps just didn't know. Am I getting paranoid? I have an appointment with the oncologist tomorrow at Bedford by which point the biopsy results from the 'white flakes' should be through. Have to wait till then.
I asked her about staging. She was a little non - committal - thought perhaps she didn't want to tell me something or perhaps just didn't know. Am I getting paranoid? I have an appointment with the oncologist tomorrow at Bedford by which point the biopsy results from the 'white flakes' should be through. Have to wait till then.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
