Fifth round of chemo yesterday. Blood count was good and my weight is up to 78.4kg. Some say it's the steroids, I say it's the good food - maybe a mix of both?
Results of the CT scan (done last Wednesday) were good. The tumors have reduced in size, so the chemo is having a positive affect. Still struggling to work out when will be the best time to have our family trip o/s. The chemotherapy treatment I'm on has a failure rate of 10.6 months, i.e. statistically at 8 months patients have a 70% success rate with the chemo, at 9 months it usually drops to 50%. I am concerned the longer I leave our trip, the more risk there is of the tumors growing again.
At the moment, physically, I have a tight, dry throat, feeling nauseous, nose runny. Have that visual effect where my centre vision is blurry. Happens each treatment for 24-36 hours.
Thank you to everyone who leaves messages on the blog. I do appreciate them. I'm sorry I can't respond individually. You mean a lot to me. Keep the messages flowing.
Blessings - Ray.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
click on image to enlargeRay's Last Chemo Week.
Monday 17th August. We attend ACCESS ministries annual fundraising dinner in Melbourne. Get home just after mid-night.
Tuesday 18th August. Go to Bendigo Base Hospital for Ray’s 4th round of chemo treatment. We underestimate (yet again) how long this will take and realize we won’t get back in time to pick up the girls from school. Instead of making phone calls and alternative arrangements, Ray decides he would like some exercise and sends me back to Castlemaine. He will walk to the train station (2kms away), catch the train back to Castlemaine and ring me when he gets back.
On the walk to the train station, Ray stops to have his photo taken and give an interview to a roving journalist from the Bendigo Advertiser who is doing the weekly “Word on the Street” segment (see above).
Ray gets back to Castlemaine, rings me and says, “don’t worry about coming to get me, I feel like walking home” – we live 5kms out of town.
Wednesday 19th August . Ray working in Melbourne. Home about 8.15pm.
Thursday 20th August. Goes to Bendigo Base again to have bolus removed (thankfully the clip had been undone and it had emptied). Other than this, Ray has a relatively quite day working at home.
Friday 21st August. Ray attends wedding rehearsal for a wedding he is officiating at on Saturday, then works from home.
In the evening we attend the Buda Fest ’09 Schools’ Harvest Dinner, which Marli has been part of. A pleasant evening with the Knowles’, whose son was also one of 20 primary school students who helped Master Chef Rob Scott prepare and serve dinner using ingredients from the local schools’ gardens.
Saturday 22nd August. Ray runs the line for the 2nd half of Tahnee’s team’s soccer match in Bendigo. They played one of their best games yet and won 8-2 against Epsom.
Race back to Castlemaine for Ray to officiate at our friends, Cath & Mark’s wedding at Clevedon Manor. Come home to check on the girls and then go back into town for the wedding dinner.
Sunday 23rd August. Sleep In!! Until 9am that is. We are due at Daryl and Marg’s place for brunch at 10am. Ray decides he will walk cross country to their place which is approx. 3kms as the crow flies. The girls and I leave a bit later and drive across in the Jackaroo. A pleasant, lazy afternoon – eating bacon and egg sandwiches and watching Nemo on DVD.
Hope you all had a great week too. LOL Marg.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
More Diary Entries from Ray:
1/8/09 Day 13/2. Wouldn't know I was having chemo. No side affects apart from cracked, sore nasal passage which is healing well. Went to soccer, chopped, cut and stacked wood in the afternoon.
2/8/09 Day 14/2. No symptoms. Worked on the garden at the North School. Tip run. Met a couple to discuss their wedding. Slept well.
3/8/09 Day 1/3. Chemo Monday - a long day as usual and taking on board that I will be doing this for next 5 months. The White Album concert in the evening was sensational.
4/8/09 Day 2/3. Little nauseous - 1 out of 10. Feeling flat that I will need to continue chemo for next 5 months.
5/8/09 Day 3/3. A little nauseous but a good day until I got to the hospital to have my pump taken off. The nurse realised the valve had not been unclipped on Monday, so the fluid (F5 - an additional drug that drips in over 48 hours after the main drugs have gone in) had not emptied. I have to come back in another 2 days to have it disconnected. Went back to Castlemaine and enjoyed lunch with Marg, Susan, Sue and Jane for Marg's 50th.
6/8/09 Day 4/3. Little nauseous, but OK after taking anit-nausea drug. Lots of water. Trip to Daylesford and Melbourne then home to cook our family birthday dinner for Marg.
7/8/09 Day5/3. Not a good day. Nauseous, gurgly in the tummy. Took anti-nausea tablets all day. Lots of stomach upset. Went out to friend's place for dinner and ate sushi and rice and felt a little better. Slept well.
8/8/09 Day 6/3. Feeling nauseous this morning. Went to Tahnee's soccer match and did linesman's duties for the first half. Not feeling good. Trying to eat small and regularly, noodles and an apple for lunch. Worked in the garden in the afternoon. Fell down a little bit around 3pm. A bit runny. Dry reached, felt a little better after. Had a hot shower and relaxed for the rest of the evening. Had a small roast vegie dinner.
9/8/09 Day 7/3. Not a good day - lethargic, diarroea, nausea. Potted plants in the garden for a couple of hourse - fresh air, trying to shake the lethargy. Showered early afternoon and rested, read, watched movie with the girls. If the pattern is the same as first two rounds, I should pick up tomorrow? Dirrhoea has been more frequent this time round.
10/8/09 Day 8/3/. Still not feeling good. Ran out of anti-nausea tablets over the weekend. Realised I need to make sure I've got a good supply on hand. Got some more today.
1/8/09 Day 13/2. Wouldn't know I was having chemo. No side affects apart from cracked, sore nasal passage which is healing well. Went to soccer, chopped, cut and stacked wood in the afternoon.
2/8/09 Day 14/2. No symptoms. Worked on the garden at the North School. Tip run. Met a couple to discuss their wedding. Slept well.
3/8/09 Day 1/3. Chemo Monday - a long day as usual and taking on board that I will be doing this for next 5 months. The White Album concert in the evening was sensational.
4/8/09 Day 2/3. Little nauseous - 1 out of 10. Feeling flat that I will need to continue chemo for next 5 months.
5/8/09 Day 3/3. A little nauseous but a good day until I got to the hospital to have my pump taken off. The nurse realised the valve had not been unclipped on Monday, so the fluid (F5 - an additional drug that drips in over 48 hours after the main drugs have gone in) had not emptied. I have to come back in another 2 days to have it disconnected. Went back to Castlemaine and enjoyed lunch with Marg, Susan, Sue and Jane for Marg's 50th.
6/8/09 Day 4/3. Little nauseous, but OK after taking anit-nausea drug. Lots of water. Trip to Daylesford and Melbourne then home to cook our family birthday dinner for Marg.
7/8/09 Day5/3. Not a good day. Nauseous, gurgly in the tummy. Took anti-nausea tablets all day. Lots of stomach upset. Went out to friend's place for dinner and ate sushi and rice and felt a little better. Slept well.
8/8/09 Day 6/3. Feeling nauseous this morning. Went to Tahnee's soccer match and did linesman's duties for the first half. Not feeling good. Trying to eat small and regularly, noodles and an apple for lunch. Worked in the garden in the afternoon. Fell down a little bit around 3pm. A bit runny. Dry reached, felt a little better after. Had a hot shower and relaxed for the rest of the evening. Had a small roast vegie dinner.
9/8/09 Day 7/3. Not a good day - lethargic, diarroea, nausea. Potted plants in the garden for a couple of hourse - fresh air, trying to shake the lethargy. Showered early afternoon and rested, read, watched movie with the girls. If the pattern is the same as first two rounds, I should pick up tomorrow? Dirrhoea has been more frequent this time round.
10/8/09 Day 8/3/. Still not feeling good. Ran out of anti-nausea tablets over the weekend. Realised I need to make sure I've got a good supply on hand. Got some more today.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Marg says:
I was asked last Sunday night by a neighbour and friend how I was feeling and I replied, "actually, quite relaxed at the moment, although part of me feels I shouldn't be".
After several months of 'normality', what I'm quickly re-learning is that you really can't become too complacent or comfortable with cancer. A misunderstanding by us about the chemo treatment meant we were taken by surprise and quite shocked to find out that it wasn't going to be the third and final chemo treatment (for this round) on Monday. Provided the CT scan (which will be done in 3 weeks time) shows that the chemo is having some affect on the tumors, Ray will remain on fortnightly chemo treatments for the next 5 months!
It was a disheartening moment for both of us, but something we have come to terms with very quickly. As Ray said to Dr Warren "What will be will be".
So, in spite of it all, we left the oncology unit at Bendigo Hospital at 3pm, stopped at Bunnings to pick up some weed matting for Marli's primary school garden, stopped off at home to get changed and then headed down to Melbourne for a Japanese dinner with a friend and then on to the White Album concert.
It was fantastic and a lovely start to my birthday celebrations. We got home at 11.45pm (it's now an hour and 10 minute trip between Castlemaine and Melbourne via the new freeway) and Ray drove all the way. He felt slightly nauseous just before we got home, but not too bad. A little nauseous today with a sore throat, but still got out for a walk late afternoon.
I was asked last Sunday night by a neighbour and friend how I was feeling and I replied, "actually, quite relaxed at the moment, although part of me feels I shouldn't be".
After several months of 'normality', what I'm quickly re-learning is that you really can't become too complacent or comfortable with cancer. A misunderstanding by us about the chemo treatment meant we were taken by surprise and quite shocked to find out that it wasn't going to be the third and final chemo treatment (for this round) on Monday. Provided the CT scan (which will be done in 3 weeks time) shows that the chemo is having some affect on the tumors, Ray will remain on fortnightly chemo treatments for the next 5 months!
It was a disheartening moment for both of us, but something we have come to terms with very quickly. As Ray said to Dr Warren "What will be will be".
So, in spite of it all, we left the oncology unit at Bendigo Hospital at 3pm, stopped at Bunnings to pick up some weed matting for Marli's primary school garden, stopped off at home to get changed and then headed down to Melbourne for a Japanese dinner with a friend and then on to the White Album concert.
It was fantastic and a lovely start to my birthday celebrations. We got home at 11.45pm (it's now an hour and 10 minute trip between Castlemaine and Melbourne via the new freeway) and Ray drove all the way. He felt slightly nauseous just before we got home, but not too bad. A little nauseous today with a sore throat, but still got out for a walk late afternoon.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Enjoyed a haircut on Friday, a fresh, invigorating feeling at a physical level, but empowering at an emotional level. Irrespective of whether the chemo will claim my locks, I WAS IN CHARGE - yeah! It was me controlling the decision to take off (some) of my hair. Off for round 3 tomorrow and ready for it. Cut/stacked wood with Marg on the weekend, enjoyed the fresh air and exercise. Have plans to build a strawberry patch this next weekend. Off to Hamer Hall (Arts Centre) in Melbourne tomorrow evening to listen to a group of accomplished musicians sing the Beatles White Album. Celebrating Marg's 50th (August 5th). Will enjoy some sushi beforehand, so the drugs had better behave themselves. Go well beautiful people (read Melanie Safka!!).
Blessings, Ray
Blessings, Ray
Friday, July 31, 2009
A few more diary entries from Ray:
25/7/09 Day 6/2. A lot better today. Off to soccer with Tahnee. Working as the linesman today - enjoying fresh air. How many people in the middle of chemotherapy run up and down a soccer pitch? Nausea easing.
26/7/09 Day 7/2. Sleep in. Out to lunch with friends. Enjoyed a glass of wine. Mouth and nostrils impr0ving.
27/7/09 Day 8/2. Seems to be a pattern in the 2nd week. Nausea improves, stomach settles. Flu like symptoms - runny nose, sore throat, cracked nasal passages.
28/7/09 Day 9/2. Same as yesterday. Nostrils quite sore. Throat easing, no nausea. Eating well. Enjoyed a good walk just before dark.
29/7/09. Day 10/2 Down to Melbourne all day - visiting chaplains. In great spirits. Flu like symptoms persisting. Drinking lots. Enjoyed great evening meal with a friend. Glass of wine.
30/7/09 Day 11/2. Flu like symptoms easing. Throat not as dry. Still eating very well. Drinking lots. Spirit good. Spent day in Kinglake interviewing.
31/7/09 Day 12/2. Flu like symptoms almost gone. Drinking lots still. Fitful sleep. Felt a little cold today - extra layer on. Ready for the next (3rd and final for this lot) round of chemo on Monday. Had a pleasant evening with Marg and the girls - went to the movies and then pizza.
Reading a profoundly moving account of the life of Treya Wilber, wife of Ken Wilber, a transpersonal philosopher. Treya succombed to metastatic breast cancer after a 5 year fight and the book records her journal with commentary by Ken. The book is called "Grace and Grit - Spirituality and Healing in the Life and Death of Treya Wilber". The book inspires me to reflect on an intriguing question about the difference between how we understand "illness" and "sickness"
Think of illness (in this context) as a medical or mental condition that is clinically diagnosed using a system or predetermined set of criteria and sickness as a description or cultural assumption about a person's medical condition. For example gout, an illness can be diagnosed as an inherited form of arthritis with an excess of uric acid in the blood, characterised by painful joint inflamation especially in the toe and thumb. No problems here. But gout as a sickness has stereotypes about it being a "rich person's disease and therefore one might deserve their condition if one overconsumes or lives the high life? Think of STD's or a mental illness such as schizophrenia and the cultural assumptions we might make about these as "sicknesses."
What are the cultural assumptions we might make about cancer (as a sickness)? I would value your comments and reflections. Be gutsy in your response.
25/7/09 Day 6/2. A lot better today. Off to soccer with Tahnee. Working as the linesman today - enjoying fresh air. How many people in the middle of chemotherapy run up and down a soccer pitch? Nausea easing.
26/7/09 Day 7/2. Sleep in. Out to lunch with friends. Enjoyed a glass of wine. Mouth and nostrils impr0ving.
27/7/09 Day 8/2. Seems to be a pattern in the 2nd week. Nausea improves, stomach settles. Flu like symptoms - runny nose, sore throat, cracked nasal passages.
28/7/09 Day 9/2. Same as yesterday. Nostrils quite sore. Throat easing, no nausea. Eating well. Enjoyed a good walk just before dark.
29/7/09. Day 10/2 Down to Melbourne all day - visiting chaplains. In great spirits. Flu like symptoms persisting. Drinking lots. Enjoyed great evening meal with a friend. Glass of wine.
30/7/09 Day 11/2. Flu like symptoms easing. Throat not as dry. Still eating very well. Drinking lots. Spirit good. Spent day in Kinglake interviewing.
31/7/09 Day 12/2. Flu like symptoms almost gone. Drinking lots still. Fitful sleep. Felt a little cold today - extra layer on. Ready for the next (3rd and final for this lot) round of chemo on Monday. Had a pleasant evening with Marg and the girls - went to the movies and then pizza.
Reading a profoundly moving account of the life of Treya Wilber, wife of Ken Wilber, a transpersonal philosopher. Treya succombed to metastatic breast cancer after a 5 year fight and the book records her journal with commentary by Ken. The book is called "Grace and Grit - Spirituality and Healing in the Life and Death of Treya Wilber". The book inspires me to reflect on an intriguing question about the difference between how we understand "illness" and "sickness"
Think of illness (in this context) as a medical or mental condition that is clinically diagnosed using a system or predetermined set of criteria and sickness as a description or cultural assumption about a person's medical condition. For example gout, an illness can be diagnosed as an inherited form of arthritis with an excess of uric acid in the blood, characterised by painful joint inflamation especially in the toe and thumb. No problems here. But gout as a sickness has stereotypes about it being a "rich person's disease and therefore one might deserve their condition if one overconsumes or lives the high life? Think of STD's or a mental illness such as schizophrenia and the cultural assumptions we might make about these as "sicknesses."
What are the cultural assumptions we might make about cancer (as a sickness)? I would value your comments and reflections. Be gutsy in your response.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Dear Blog Followers. I have decided to put a short running sheet of how I’m feeling each day during my chemo treatment. It’s certainly not extensive and only gives an overview of how I’m feeling physically. Psychologically and spiritually, I am keeping well informed, praying, meditating and giving myself all those strong messages affirming my ability to work through my predicament. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all your messages of encouragement and prayers for healing. Blessings to you. Ray.
5/7/09. Begin my first lot of chemotherapy tomorrow. Off to Bendigo oncology. How do I feel? As if I am heading off to meet the executioner, having my last meal! Maybe that’s a little pessimistic? But it’s the uncertainty of it. So many people react differently it’s impossible to compare with other experiences. One thing is for sure – I am not going to take this lying down. I’m taking my camera with me tomorrow. I want to record something of my journey. Reading Jeff McClure in the Age yesterday – his amazing resilience. Here goes – let’s do this for me and for my family and for all those amazing caring individuals.
6/7/09. Picc line is in (peripherally inserted cardiac catheter) – waiting for an x-ray to make sure it is in the right position. This is another major invasion of my body post surgery. The medical staff is so supportive. After my x-ray, Marg and I went for a coffee – I found a dollar on the floor! A positive and encouraging sign (of good luck).
Talking with Anne, the nurse, who is administering the therapies today. She has been a nurse in oncology for 3 years and enjoys it. Her brother died 2 years ago from a melanoma so she is close to cancer and its effects. Asking her what she likes about working in oncology. She remarked that she admires the patients and their spirit. Their sense of resolve and patience.
I think people in situations like this are resigned to their circumstances and often feel a sense of compassion both to care and be cared for. There is a focal point in how people react to one another. I noticed how, in oncology, people are overtly courteous and caring. It was the same experience at Kinglake after the fires. People were aware of this enormous loss and threat and responded. People tend to be a little more open in sharing. Staff are practiced in the subtle and courageous act of pastoral care. With this experience, I feel less complacent, focused. My life may be short – will it be fulfilling??
Arrived home at 5.30pm – the drugs will have an affect over the next 2-5 days. Went home via a butcher’s. I felt like a steak and mashed spuds. Not sure if I will be wanting that later in the week so I thought I would get in early! No physical side affects yet, a slight headache. Feeling desperately positive and continuing to work with those inner resources. My blood pressure is really good – not feeling too anxious. I got a ‘care pack’ from a local support group today so I called them to thank them for their gift.
10.45pm Feeling the first real physical signs of the drugs. My stomach is gurgling and some pains as if I am ready to go to the toilet.
7/7/09.
Day 2. Took a while to get to sleep. The dexamethasone (anti nausea) is a steroid so probably the culprit. Slept well, no side effects yet. Toast and tea for breakfast. Have not been to the toilet for a sit down yet. Feeling pretty good.
8/7/09. Day 3. Well this morning. Took anti-nausea tablets as a precaution. Toast, tea, fruit juice for breakfast. Normal, full evening meals. Sleeping well.
9/7/09. Day 4. So far so good – slightly nauseous. Feels like minor travel sickness. Took anti-nausea tablets. Eating OK. Not feeling too tired. Had a sleep in until 11am. School holidays though! Had the fluorouracil bottle removed yesterday.
6pm. Nausea increasing, not drastically but enough to le me know it’s around. Will make an effort to eat my evening meal. Continuing with anti-nausea medication. Also feeling a little cold – an extra jumper will help.
10/7/09. Day 5. Feeling fine, nowhere near as nauseous as yesterday. Only feeling flat first thing in the morning. Great day. Eating well.
11/7/09. Day 6. Good day. No symptoms. Temperature normal.
12/7/09. Day 7. No symptoms. Slight headache, sniffly nose. Temp. normal. Little loose with bowels.
13/7/09. Day 8. Fine in the morning, woke well, no nausea. Had diarrhea in the evening. Took Laperimide and 2 hours later OK. District nurse changed dressing on Picc line in the afternoon. Slept well.
14/7/09. Day 9. Up well. No nausea, diarrhea gone. Ate good breakfast. Went for an hour’s walk.
15/7/09. Day 10. Great day. Good breakfast. No nausea. Hour’s walk. Slept fitfully.
16/7/09. Day 11. No side effects apart from a dry, “furry” mouth. Hours walk. All well.
17/7/09. Day 12. Furry mouth, dry throat. No other side effects.
18/7/09. Day 13. Furry mouth – feels like a mild throat infection, gargling regularly. Slight diarrhea. Took 2 Laparimide tablets.
19/7/09. Day 14. All well, good breakfast. Furry mouth, slightly sore throat, drinking lots of water. Good exercise today. Sleeping well. A little loose in the evening (bowels).
20/7/09. Second lot of chemo today. Came home feeling a little nauseous. Felt a lot better after eating my evening meal. Sending positive messages to myself (bio-feed back). Relying on the chemical therapies and positive internal messages. I know the reasons for the nausea, so I must overcome those messages relating nausea to food. “Keep on eating no matter what”. It’s not the food that is the cause. Slight blurring of eyesight. Looks as though the centre of my cornea is blurred. Scratchy eyes too.
21/7/09. Day 2/2. Found it hard to sleep last night. One of the positive spin offs was that I read my book for longer than 10 minutes without falling asleep! Dry lips and mild sore throat. Tummy rumbling. Lay in bed last night meditating – eventually succumbed to sleep around 2.30pm.
22/7/09. Day 3/2. Great start to the day. Slept hot in bed – cooled down quickly. Blurry vision cleared. Took 2 Dexamethasone – no nausea, healthy breakfast. A little constipated but cleared around 3.30pm. Face flushed and splotchy in the early evening. Drinking lots of water. My voice is soft, almost like I’m losing my voice. Temp. 35.9deg C.
Met a chap in oncology on Monday. He has cancer of the oesophagus diagnosed 4 months ago and has not managed to eat solids for all that time. He has extreme nausea. On top of this he is a diabetic too. Made me think that even though I am in an extremely difficult situation, someone else is facing an even tougher challenge.
23/7/09. Day 4/2. Slightly nauseous. Eating OK. Took anti-nausea tablet. Walked an hour. Slept well. Great relaxed evening with family.
24/7/09. Day 5/2. Woke up well – took an anti-nausea tablet x 3 today. Felt pretty flat today. Loose bowels, drugs helped quickly. Lunch with friends. Felt lethargic after 3pm. Had commitments this evening but cancelled. Reached a 2 out of 10 for nausea for first time. Hopefully improvement tomorrow. One of the side effects can be mouth ulcers, so far so good although my nasal passages feel cracked and sore. Eyes have lost their scratchiness. Still feeling strong in spirit and very determined.
5/7/09. Begin my first lot of chemotherapy tomorrow. Off to Bendigo oncology. How do I feel? As if I am heading off to meet the executioner, having my last meal! Maybe that’s a little pessimistic? But it’s the uncertainty of it. So many people react differently it’s impossible to compare with other experiences. One thing is for sure – I am not going to take this lying down. I’m taking my camera with me tomorrow. I want to record something of my journey. Reading Jeff McClure in the Age yesterday – his amazing resilience. Here goes – let’s do this for me and for my family and for all those amazing caring individuals.
6/7/09. Picc line is in (peripherally inserted cardiac catheter) – waiting for an x-ray to make sure it is in the right position. This is another major invasion of my body post surgery. The medical staff is so supportive. After my x-ray, Marg and I went for a coffee – I found a dollar on the floor! A positive and encouraging sign (of good luck).
Talking with Anne, the nurse, who is administering the therapies today. She has been a nurse in oncology for 3 years and enjoys it. Her brother died 2 years ago from a melanoma so she is close to cancer and its effects. Asking her what she likes about working in oncology. She remarked that she admires the patients and their spirit. Their sense of resolve and patience.
I think people in situations like this are resigned to their circumstances and often feel a sense of compassion both to care and be cared for. There is a focal point in how people react to one another. I noticed how, in oncology, people are overtly courteous and caring. It was the same experience at Kinglake after the fires. People were aware of this enormous loss and threat and responded. People tend to be a little more open in sharing. Staff are practiced in the subtle and courageous act of pastoral care. With this experience, I feel less complacent, focused. My life may be short – will it be fulfilling??
Arrived home at 5.30pm – the drugs will have an affect over the next 2-5 days. Went home via a butcher’s. I felt like a steak and mashed spuds. Not sure if I will be wanting that later in the week so I thought I would get in early! No physical side affects yet, a slight headache. Feeling desperately positive and continuing to work with those inner resources. My blood pressure is really good – not feeling too anxious. I got a ‘care pack’ from a local support group today so I called them to thank them for their gift.
10.45pm Feeling the first real physical signs of the drugs. My stomach is gurgling and some pains as if I am ready to go to the toilet.
7/7/09.
Day 2. Took a while to get to sleep. The dexamethasone (anti nausea) is a steroid so probably the culprit. Slept well, no side effects yet. Toast and tea for breakfast. Have not been to the toilet for a sit down yet. Feeling pretty good.
8/7/09. Day 3. Well this morning. Took anti-nausea tablets as a precaution. Toast, tea, fruit juice for breakfast. Normal, full evening meals. Sleeping well.
9/7/09. Day 4. So far so good – slightly nauseous. Feels like minor travel sickness. Took anti-nausea tablets. Eating OK. Not feeling too tired. Had a sleep in until 11am. School holidays though! Had the fluorouracil bottle removed yesterday.
6pm. Nausea increasing, not drastically but enough to le me know it’s around. Will make an effort to eat my evening meal. Continuing with anti-nausea medication. Also feeling a little cold – an extra jumper will help.
10/7/09. Day 5. Feeling fine, nowhere near as nauseous as yesterday. Only feeling flat first thing in the morning. Great day. Eating well.
11/7/09. Day 6. Good day. No symptoms. Temperature normal.
12/7/09. Day 7. No symptoms. Slight headache, sniffly nose. Temp. normal. Little loose with bowels.
13/7/09. Day 8. Fine in the morning, woke well, no nausea. Had diarrhea in the evening. Took Laperimide and 2 hours later OK. District nurse changed dressing on Picc line in the afternoon. Slept well.
14/7/09. Day 9. Up well. No nausea, diarrhea gone. Ate good breakfast. Went for an hour’s walk.
15/7/09. Day 10. Great day. Good breakfast. No nausea. Hour’s walk. Slept fitfully.
16/7/09. Day 11. No side effects apart from a dry, “furry” mouth. Hours walk. All well.
17/7/09. Day 12. Furry mouth, dry throat. No other side effects.
18/7/09. Day 13. Furry mouth – feels like a mild throat infection, gargling regularly. Slight diarrhea. Took 2 Laparimide tablets.
19/7/09. Day 14. All well, good breakfast. Furry mouth, slightly sore throat, drinking lots of water. Good exercise today. Sleeping well. A little loose in the evening (bowels).
20/7/09. Second lot of chemo today. Came home feeling a little nauseous. Felt a lot better after eating my evening meal. Sending positive messages to myself (bio-feed back). Relying on the chemical therapies and positive internal messages. I know the reasons for the nausea, so I must overcome those messages relating nausea to food. “Keep on eating no matter what”. It’s not the food that is the cause. Slight blurring of eyesight. Looks as though the centre of my cornea is blurred. Scratchy eyes too.
21/7/09. Day 2/2. Found it hard to sleep last night. One of the positive spin offs was that I read my book for longer than 10 minutes without falling asleep! Dry lips and mild sore throat. Tummy rumbling. Lay in bed last night meditating – eventually succumbed to sleep around 2.30pm.
22/7/09. Day 3/2. Great start to the day. Slept hot in bed – cooled down quickly. Blurry vision cleared. Took 2 Dexamethasone – no nausea, healthy breakfast. A little constipated but cleared around 3.30pm. Face flushed and splotchy in the early evening. Drinking lots of water. My voice is soft, almost like I’m losing my voice. Temp. 35.9deg C.
Met a chap in oncology on Monday. He has cancer of the oesophagus diagnosed 4 months ago and has not managed to eat solids for all that time. He has extreme nausea. On top of this he is a diabetic too. Made me think that even though I am in an extremely difficult situation, someone else is facing an even tougher challenge.
23/7/09. Day 4/2. Slightly nauseous. Eating OK. Took anti-nausea tablet. Walked an hour. Slept well. Great relaxed evening with family.
24/7/09. Day 5/2. Woke up well – took an anti-nausea tablet x 3 today. Felt pretty flat today. Loose bowels, drugs helped quickly. Lunch with friends. Felt lethargic after 3pm. Had commitments this evening but cancelled. Reached a 2 out of 10 for nausea for first time. Hopefully improvement tomorrow. One of the side effects can be mouth ulcers, so far so good although my nasal passages feel cracked and sore. Eyes have lost their scratchiness. Still feeling strong in spirit and very determined.
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