Nothing much to report today.
I've stopped taking the anti-emetic, so I'm down to three tablets in the morning - Omeprazole (PPI - antacid), Fluconazole (anti-fungal) and Piridoxine (Vitamin B6) - one Piridoxine at 3pm and 9pm and 7mg Warfarin at 6pm. At the peak I was taking 7 tablets in the morning and up to 4 at the other times of the day, so I'm on greatly reduced medication now which is good.
Mood is still very good and positive, but I am conscious of the impending possible surgery and the fact that life will never be the same again afterwards, so part of me is thinking that I should be spending January rushing around doing stuff, and the other part of me is thinking that I should be chilling out.
I do plan to try and at least make a trip South to catch up with a few people in the early New Year, but apart from that I've got no real plans as yet. We'll see.
Cheers
Tuesday, 30 December 2008
Monday, 29 December 2008
Monday 29th December 2008
No unpleasent side-effects from the curry and indeed it was most welcome!
Had weekly blood check today, and all seems to be in order. They phone me if there is anything I need to change around my drugs regime, and they didn't phone me today, so either it is so bad they are scared to tell me, or all is in order. Forgive me if I assume the latter option!
I also just found out that I'm not supposed to have been taking the metoclopramide anti-emetic as a regular dose, but only as required (like the Ondansetron). Five weeks into a six week program, it's a bit late to find that out - still, no wonder I haven't had any real nausea symptoms!
Paid a visit to a great company in Halifax the other day - Andy Thornton's are an architectural salvage company who do bar and hotel fittings and also sell to the public. People might know bars such as Via Fossa in the Gay Village in Manchester or Cafe En Seine in Dublin which were done by them. Here's a couple of things I want to buy but Vanda won't let me ...
Anyway, I digress - this blog is supposed to be about cancer after all ...
Sorry, the main reason for that diversion was that I had my camera out to take a pic of my PICC line (for Kaz's benefit) and I spotted those pics too! So here is the PICC line:
The blue tube goes into the crook of my elbow, then is attached to my arm in two places with clips attached to sticky pads (replaced with nice clean ones today) to stop it getting tugged. The thin blue tube then turns into a wider, clear tube which is folded round just for ease of "storage" when its not in use. The end of the tube is the white/red/blue/white nozzle which is resting on a gauze pad.
The whole lot is then covered in a thin clear dressing (which gets changed every time they need access to the nozzle). All the chemo goes into the nozzle and all my blood tests come out of it, so there is no need for any other injections which is nice. I wear a section of tubigrip over the whole thing as you can see below (except when I'm on the IV in hospital), so I don't even notice it - there's no pain or discomfort of any kind, which I have found quite surprising. The worst thing has been having the clear sticky covering taken off and having the hairs ripped out of my arm, but there aren't any hairs left around that area now, so even that isn't uncomfortable any more.
I do love the message on the sticky pads - "remove with alcohol" - the sort of message you'd expect to see on a pair of saucy underwear! :)
Anyway, enough for now. Hope you enjoyed the pictures!
C x
Had weekly blood check today, and all seems to be in order. They phone me if there is anything I need to change around my drugs regime, and they didn't phone me today, so either it is so bad they are scared to tell me, or all is in order. Forgive me if I assume the latter option!
I also just found out that I'm not supposed to have been taking the metoclopramide anti-emetic as a regular dose, but only as required (like the Ondansetron). Five weeks into a six week program, it's a bit late to find that out - still, no wonder I haven't had any real nausea symptoms!
Paid a visit to a great company in Halifax the other day - Andy Thornton's are an architectural salvage company who do bar and hotel fittings and also sell to the public. People might know bars such as Via Fossa in the Gay Village in Manchester or Cafe En Seine in Dublin which were done by them. Here's a couple of things I want to buy but Vanda won't let me ...
Anyway, I digress - this blog is supposed to be about cancer after all ...
Sorry, the main reason for that diversion was that I had my camera out to take a pic of my PICC line (for Kaz's benefit) and I spotted those pics too! So here is the PICC line:
The blue tube goes into the crook of my elbow, then is attached to my arm in two places with clips attached to sticky pads (replaced with nice clean ones today) to stop it getting tugged. The thin blue tube then turns into a wider, clear tube which is folded round just for ease of "storage" when its not in use. The end of the tube is the white/red/blue/white nozzle which is resting on a gauze pad.The whole lot is then covered in a thin clear dressing (which gets changed every time they need access to the nozzle). All the chemo goes into the nozzle and all my blood tests come out of it, so there is no need for any other injections which is nice. I wear a section of tubigrip over the whole thing as you can see below (except when I'm on the IV in hospital), so I don't even notice it - there's no pain or discomfort of any kind, which I have found quite surprising. The worst thing has been having the clear sticky covering taken off and having the hairs ripped out of my arm, but there aren't any hairs left around that area now, so even that isn't uncomfortable any more.
I do love the message on the sticky pads - "remove with alcohol" - the sort of message you'd expect to see on a pair of saucy underwear! :)
Anyway, enough for now. Hope you enjoyed the pictures!
C x
Sunday, 28 December 2008
Sunday 28th December 2008
Big day today ....
I'm just about to order my first curry since my diagnosis!
It's the first time I've really felt like one to be honest, and I have been a bit nervous about hot food triggering the ulcers, as it was some tabasco in a sauce which probably set the last lot off (although I already had the sore throat at that point). I figure that I'm far enough out of the "ulcer zone" and haven't had any issues with my mouth at all since a bit of dryness at the start of the week, so its worth the risk.
It's bad enough cutting out nearly all my drinking, but to cut out curry too would just be WRONG.
Wish me luck, I'm going in ...
I'm just about to order my first curry since my diagnosis!
It's the first time I've really felt like one to be honest, and I have been a bit nervous about hot food triggering the ulcers, as it was some tabasco in a sauce which probably set the last lot off (although I already had the sore throat at that point). I figure that I'm far enough out of the "ulcer zone" and haven't had any issues with my mouth at all since a bit of dryness at the start of the week, so its worth the risk.
It's bad enough cutting out nearly all my drinking, but to cut out curry too would just be WRONG.
Wish me luck, I'm going in ...
Saturday, 27 December 2008
Saturday 27th December 2008
Short one today - feel fine, no side effects of any kind and generally having another lazy day's eating!
Just watched the Shameless Christmas special which I recorded on Christmas eve. A classic! All very close to home from when I lived in Salford! :)
Cheers again!
Just watched the Shameless Christmas special which I recorded on Christmas eve. A classic! All very close to home from when I lived in Salford! :)
Cheers again!
Friday, 26 December 2008
Boxing Day 2008
Brilliant day yesterday!
Dinner came together like perfection - all the timings coincided and everything was bloody gorgeous! Haven't enjoyed a meal like that for a very long time, and the fact that I managed to hold the ulcers at bay made it doubly lovely!
Really nice day overall too, usual combination of relaxing, eating, telly, great presents, eating more, and more drinking than I've done for quite a long time - enough to give me a headache for a short while this morning!
Today has been more of the same, although I've just had a bit of a funny turn. I get a bit wobbly every now and then and my temperature drops (I assume it is blood pressure related). Nothing that an hour on the sofa doesn't sort out, but unfortunately it came on just as we were about to pop out and see a couple of friends which was a shame. I suppose it is just a reminder that I'm still in the middle of a chemo cycle - it's difficult to remember sometimes as it's been so little of a chore to be honest. I'm probably at my low point of the cycle actually, as far as my blood count is concerned (the "nadir" as they call it was probably yesterday or today), so I guess a short funny turn is nothing unexpected. I'll keep an eye on it, but I don't think there is anything sinister, just part of the process.
Worst side effect of the last day or so is having more of an affect on Vanda than me to be honest - there are some rather nasty smells leaking out of my rear end! Man, these farts are bad - I'm even making myself gag!
Anyway, I'm still doing well besides the dodgy aroma, so that's enough for now.
I hope you all had as good a time yesterday and today as me, and that you continue to enjoy the break (if you have one of course)!
Cheers
Dinner came together like perfection - all the timings coincided and everything was bloody gorgeous! Haven't enjoyed a meal like that for a very long time, and the fact that I managed to hold the ulcers at bay made it doubly lovely!
Really nice day overall too, usual combination of relaxing, eating, telly, great presents, eating more, and more drinking than I've done for quite a long time - enough to give me a headache for a short while this morning!
Today has been more of the same, although I've just had a bit of a funny turn. I get a bit wobbly every now and then and my temperature drops (I assume it is blood pressure related). Nothing that an hour on the sofa doesn't sort out, but unfortunately it came on just as we were about to pop out and see a couple of friends which was a shame. I suppose it is just a reminder that I'm still in the middle of a chemo cycle - it's difficult to remember sometimes as it's been so little of a chore to be honest. I'm probably at my low point of the cycle actually, as far as my blood count is concerned (the "nadir" as they call it was probably yesterday or today), so I guess a short funny turn is nothing unexpected. I'll keep an eye on it, but I don't think there is anything sinister, just part of the process.
Worst side effect of the last day or so is having more of an affect on Vanda than me to be honest - there are some rather nasty smells leaking out of my rear end! Man, these farts are bad - I'm even making myself gag!
Anyway, I'm still doing well besides the dodgy aroma, so that's enough for now.
I hope you all had as good a time yesterday and today as me, and that you continue to enjoy the break (if you have one of course)!
Cheers
Thursday, 25 December 2008
Wednesday, 24 December 2008
Christmas Eve 2008! :)
Hi All,
'Tis Xmas Eve and all is well!
No ulcers in sight and no scary shark-related dreams.
Colin the Caterpillar is no more - he has finally had his face eaten - so birthday celebrations are finally over and Christmas can begin in earnest!
So bring on the turkey, roasties, port and stilton, put away that blender, and let's go!!
Sadly will forgo the usual trip to the pub tonight, but I think a little snifter at home is probably in order - please join me (if you haven't already)!
So if there is anyone actually reading this on Christmas Eve, thanks, and have a fantastic day tomorrow, may your celebrations (whatever they may be) go spiffingly!
Happy Christmas Everybody!
Colin x
'Tis Xmas Eve and all is well!
No ulcers in sight and no scary shark-related dreams.
Colin the Caterpillar is no more - he has finally had his face eaten - so birthday celebrations are finally over and Christmas can begin in earnest!
So bring on the turkey, roasties, port and stilton, put away that blender, and let's go!!
Sadly will forgo the usual trip to the pub tonight, but I think a little snifter at home is probably in order - please join me (if you haven't already)!
So if there is anyone actually reading this on Christmas Eve, thanks, and have a fantastic day tomorrow, may your celebrations (whatever they may be) go spiffingly!
Happy Christmas Everybody!
Colin x
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