Thursday 20 January 2011

Date confirmed for start of chemo

The start date for when the chemo treatment will be the 2nd February at 9.45a.m. I have to see Dr Wasan first to sign the consent forms that I agree to having the treatment and understand what the side effects might be. Then I will be whisked off to the treatment room and at some point will be hooked up to a drip while the drugs are injected into my blood stream.

It feels good that I have a start date and that there is a plan - we know what is happening for the next 3- 6 months treatment wise. Thankfully it's a 3 week cycle so I won't be coming on here every day moaning about waiting rooms like I did for my first lot back in August

This week has been getting on with things and picking things up that I have not been able to do since I went into hospital..... simple everyday things that we take for granted until you can't do them and when you can you feel that you are making  progress. So this week I have:

1. Driven my car - it is so good to be mobile again and that I can escape Sunningdale when I feel the need.
2. I have been out for a meal at a restaurant and dinner twice at family homes.
3. Been shopping -  I went to Reading on the train by myself and went to John Lewis and M&S - even bought some things.
4. Cooked dinner for friends.
5. Started my journal again.

Only one failure............ tried a very small glass of wine - just two sips and what a headache the next morning. Just goes to show that not drinking for 2 months does! So decided to give it a miss for the time being.

And another first last night  - off to the cinema to see "The Kings Speech". Thoroughly enjoyed it and recommended to those who have not seen it.

Wednesday 12 January 2011

News from oncologist appointment

Our 11.00 am appointment turned into a 1.00 pm appointment! Two hours of waiting to see the oncologist Dr Harpreet Wasan! Reminded me of my Reading experiences again.As I expected there was some missing gaps in the information that he had - that's what you get when you have to go to so many different hospitals.

He advised that as they had found some cancer cells in one of the lymph nodes, there is no way medically that they can identify whether any more rogue cells are floating around my blood system. The scan that they did in Sept showed that there was no sign of the cancer in my chest or abdomen and the results from the op showed that they had successfully removed the tumour leaving healthy margins around the join and there was no sign of cancer in the liver and other organs in the pelvic area. So as a precaution Dr Wasan has advised a 3- 6 month chemotherapy programme to attack any any cancer cells that may be floating about. This is quite normal for cancers that were at the stage that mine was at and Mr Cecil had warned me that this might be the case.

I know that this is the best course of action and it is better to do it now and beat the cancer completely as if I don't will I have peace of mind?  and if the cancer came back then it is more difficult to treat a second time. I am apprehensive about this next phase as this is a more aggressive form of chemo. Dr Wasan said that the chemo I had last year on a scale of 1-10 was 1-2 where as this will be 5-6! Slightly disappointed that there is another cycle of treatment to have to go through - but then I have to if I am to have the best chance of getting this cancer beat.

I start the chemo in 2- 3 weeks time. It will be for 3 to 6 months ( 6 being the desired amount of time, only less if I get too  sick from it ) given in 3 week cycles. Starts with an intravenous 2 hour injection at the hospital in Windsor followed by 2 weeks of tablets. Then a week off. Then the cycle starts again. Just waiting for the appointment to start - could be 2 Feb unless there is a cancellation.

Monday 10 January 2011

Date for Oncologist Appointment

Since the last blog on 30 Dec 2010 I have continued to progress well - getting out for walks weather permitting and going a bit further every time - so my strength and energy are returning. I have put on a kilo and looking less gaunt I am told and looking the same as I always have!
I am still tired in the evenings  - and that's when I get a bit grumpy - ( No I can hear you say - you!!??!!!:-)) - yes me -  and poor Neil is so understanding and supportive.

I have a date to see the Oncologist - Wed 12 Jan - so this week. All happened quite quickly once I followed up with a few phone calls on Thursday last week as I had not heard anything. The appointment is at King Edward VII Hospital in Windsor. I have not been there before - by the time I finish I think will have visited every hospital in the  East Berkshire Primary Care Trust! I will know what the next step will be after Wed. I will update the blog to let you know.