2nd of 3rd regime of chemotherapy

The next treatment was due on 13th April but it was cancelled which I found out once I’d arrived at the mobile unit.

On 18th April I had an appointment with Dr Elyan my oncologist who tested physical reactions and coordination as he was concerned that the cancer had spread to my brain. He arranged an MRI scan. The results take at least 2 weeks to be processed.

My leg wound was still bleeding, but I had it dressed several times using manuka honey which seemed to help the healing process.

I found out my next chemotherapy would be on 27th April on the mobile unit.

1st of 3rd regime of chemotherapy

On 16th March I started a new round of treatment.

Occupational therapy concluded that I needed rails. I had grab handles and rails installed throughout the house and garden to aid me getting around.

I slept most of the saturday following treatment.

We went on holiday and stayed with friends in Cyprus for a week. I was fatigued on holiday but it was a relaxing time away. I felt more energised on my return.

Our friends in Cyprus.

4th of 3rd regime of chemotherapy

The 3rd session was on the mobile unit – the last of this regime. Only 5 to go! 

On 3 March I fell up the stairs and gashed my leg which I had to have dressed every week when I had my blood test. The wound was still bleeding 2 months on because steroids thin the skin. 

After this, I made an appointment with the occupational health visitor, who came and inspected our house to see how accessibility could be improved. Our house has 3 flights of stairs without banisters so this was one of reasons I fell up the stairs.

2nd of 3rd regime of chemotherapy

This took place on 23 February- on the mobile chemotherapy unit in the morning in Stroud. This was only an hour long and it was a dose of platinum! I managed to drive myself to and from the appointment. This was so much easier than driving all the way to Cheltenham. The mobile unit is small, appointments are on time, and usually the nurses also work in Cheltenham in the afternoon.

I slept most of he following day, feeling very fatigued. Felt better after a full day of resting.

1st of 3rd regime of chemotherapy

I started the next stage of chemotherapy on 16th of February which was a new formula of treatment because the others had to be stopped due to high levels of toxin which caused an adverse reaction. I was also prescribed a higher dosage of steroids to help with fatigue and appetite.

PET scan results

After waiting 2 weeks I received the results of the PET scan on 17th January and Dr Elyan advised me not to renew my passport this year as 2 tumours had appeared on my left lung and another lump was found on my left breast. Dr Elyan suggested I progress with a session of radiotherapy and a 16 week chemotherapy regime as the treatment.

I started intensive radiotherapy on the 23rd January for 1 week, but this didn’t reduce the lump. 

4th chemotherapy cycle of 2nd regime

Had 4th treatment through my PICC line on 1 December. The side effects were dire – again.  I suffered dry mouth – like being full of cotton wool – blistered & painful hands; what was left of my hair was falling out again, so on 6 December my treatment was put on hold – again.  My GP prescribed anti-depressants, because I kept crying – apparently another side effect – and Macmillian prescribed  Methylphenidate hydrochloride to help me feel more stimulated and energetic.  I was already on steroids so I was being very well looked after!  Christmas was a delight as I had my taste, energy, appetite and enthusiasm back.  Unfortunately my 2nd CT PET Scan was cancelled, but we were given permission to have short break abroad in order to spend quality time together.  We booked to go to Lanzarote in January. When I saw Dr Elyan on 3 January, having not had treatment for nearly a month, he advised me I was in remission!  In order to confirm this I was booked in for another CT PET Scan on 5 January.

  

3rd Chemotherapy of 2nd Regime

On 24 November I underwent an insertion of a PICC Line (peripherally inserted central catheter). A PICC line is a long, thin, flexible tube known as a catheter. It is inserted into one of the large veins of the arm near the bend of the elbow. It is then threaded into the vein until the tip sits in a large vein just above the heart. This will stay in till my treatment is completed.  My third session of Taxanes was much better as I did not inucr any painful veins.  I was prescribed steroids in tablet form to help with my continued fatique, but by the thrird day after treatment I was still completley zonked!  My fingers had become very sensitive and I found it difficult to hold anything. My mouth was dry, lips dry and the wooliness of taste had returned.

Chemotherapy no. 2

Having been told that my cancer (on 25 October) is incurable following the result of the CT Scan (on 17 September I had to drink a litre of water and a cannula inserted in elbow joint; when I was lying on the CT bed I was given an injection of radioactive dye) and the CT PET scan, (on 11 October I had a radioactive injection and told to rest for an hour before being taken into a large room where I lay on a bed.  I was “fixed” by two plastic restraints to prevent me from moving.  The hood moved very gradually over me for about an hour) I have a new regime of treatment started 1 November.  Weekly for 6 weeks of Taxanes. The day after the 1st chemotherapy treatment, I had a red face! Very tired the next day till 5 November, Then experienced dry mouth, no taste and fragile teeth.  The numbness in my finger tips had returned. Following my 2nd treatment, I experienced excruciating toothache, sensitive fingers and toes, then I felt shivery, was violently sick and by Sunday (13 November) my temperature had risen to 38.7.  I was admitted to Lilybrook Ward – my own private room because of my infection – and put on intravenous antibiotics and saline drip because not only had I low blood count, high temperature but I was also dehydrated. I remained in hospital for 4 days and discharged with tablet form of antibiotics and 10mg morphine. Unfortunately I missed my scheduled 3rd chemotherapy treatment and it was postponed.