I’m continuing to take paracetamol each morning before breakfast as well as half on hour before my evening meal, which I am finding helps with the swallowing of food. Also using the Benzydamine Hydrochloride mouthwash every morning and evening that was I was given.
On Sunday morning I notice that there seems to be more hair on the bathroom floor than there would be normally….. not a good sign, but will keep an eye on this, hopefully it wont get any worse !
Monday 11th August. Checked in at 0900hrs for my second and final Chemotherapy session, weight is 74.25k.
It took them two attempts to get the cannula in my left arm this time, but once in the first of the hydration drips is started at 09:50hrs, quickly followed by the anti sickness drip.
12:20hrs and the 75% strength Chemo is started which after the two hours is complete and its back to the second hydration drip which is followed up with a saline flush and its all over by 16:45.
Off to have my radiotherapy session which is running behind schedule but that’s completed by 18:20 hrs, we then realise that I wasn’t weighed when I completed the Chemo session, so its off back the Chemo ward to question this. Weight is 76.9kg, so am given anti water tablets to have when I get home…………. Long day today but glad its over !
Tuesday 12th August. Radiotherapy session this morning went ok, but by the time I got home I needed a rest, ended up sleeping for an hour this afternoon.
Wednesday 13th August. Radiotherapy session went ok, they needed to remove yet another shim to make the mask less tight and comfortable.
Consultation meeting we discussed progress and any pain which id slight when swallowing.
I was prescribed some throat spray and gargle tablets to take if my mouth starts to dry up, which is expected. We discussed bowel movements (Sorry if you are eating while reading this), they said that its preferred to go at least every other day but no longer, so agreed to take more laxative capsules to help !
Thursday 14th August. Radiotherapy session went ok, still down to one shim, session over and collected throat sprays from pharmacy before heading home.
Friday 15th August. Radiotherapy session went ok. Weekly review meeting where we discussed my throat being sore when swallowing but no worse than last week, my neck is a little redder than last week , a small amount of hair is falling out and facial hair has definably stopped growing (that saves me having to shave every day). Saliva is thicker than it was at the beginning of the week. Constipation is still here, but taking the capsules to help.
What have I learnt?
Chemo does make you tired, it sort of creeps up on you until you succumb and shut your eyes.
The team in the radiotherapy unit are great, they make sure I am comfortable when the mask is clamped to the table, if not tell them, never be afraid to say something !
Being constipated isn’t good !
