Day 1
Well, I had my first chemo 'outing' yesterday. I went to Clatterbridge Hospital on Wirral and was impressed with the friendly staff and their thoroughness and professionalism.
I spent 2 hours having an infusion of Oxaliplatin. I had heard that the drip can sting and was pleasantly surprised when I felt nothing. However, right at the end I got a severe,burning sensation which spread from the site of the canula right up to my elbow. (must remember to ask them to put it in my left hand next time). It's still a bit sore now but it's not a major problem.
I have had a slight feeling of nausea, but I'm taking my anti-emetics regularly which seems to be controlling it quite well.
Day 2
I have some aches and pains in my back and hips, but I'm not sure that's down to the chemo - I think it's more about that I didn't sleep very well last night.
I have had my first dose of Capecitabine (a big dose 1800 mg) - so far so good but I've got to take them for 9 days.
I've just been for a short walk over to the pharmacy to buy a digital thermometer - an important task for the next 6 months or so, monitoring infection through temperature.
Staying positive - focused on getting better. I'm finding writing about my treatment quite useful, and also sharing experiences with both users of these fora and people I'm meeting during my various hospital experiences.
FormerMember
Thanks for a great update Andy! Sounds like everything is going as well as can be expected. The taste bud thing is very annoying, happened to my hubby for a while and probably will again when he starts treatment in a couple of weeks. We made a deal that I would cook and he would tell me if he just couldn't eat it and I would try something else that we knew he could, always looking to increase his variety. No offense was my mantra, but he had to feel free to tell me. :) You are right about your strength and see if you can add a protein shake or something to your day just to help that. So glad you are getting out too. You have the right attitude and frame of mind going into this, which will help getting yourself through it easier! Carry on and keep the updates coming! Best, Lori
Well it wasn't the best weekend I've ever had. However, nausea had pretty much gone, taste buds still not right but really enjoyed the pub meal on friday. Just generally feeling tired and bowel became really loose, didn't want to be too far way from the toilet on saturday :)
Resorted to laperimide on sat night which settled things down. Had a quiet day sunday and managed a short walk in the sunshine (yes northern england in November ! ).
I think the dual effects of the Oxaliplatin and Capecitabine are diminishing and I'm looking forward to a better week. Another 4 days of tablets and then 3 off whoopeee!
Well I've not been online for some time, but here I am in cycle 7 -over half way - there is light at the end of the tunnel.
My side effects have steadily increased but now seem to have reached a plateau so I know pretty much what to expect. I am back at work, but very flexibly, working from home for week 1 and then into the office week 2 for 4 or 5 hours. I've found it useful going back to work, stimulating the brain :) My manager has been brilliant and I'm able just to disappear if things get too much.
I've ridden my motor bike several times, but the foul weather has prevented most of the trips I wanted to do.
I've just finished planning my summer holiday and am looking forward to that immensely - 3 weeks in Southern France.
I'm also doing a short break to the Lake District next week - just looking forward to chilling and having somebody else cook my meals!
Wow Andy, sounds like you are doing really well, albeit not YOUR normal. So great that your boss is supportive and you are able to work as much as you can. Its the same with my husband's job. When I stopped into the office, his subordinates told me when he gets "cranky" they send him home, to which I responded "Thanks A LOT!"
So glad you are doing fairly well and hope that you have the BEST outcome possible and beyond.
I haven't been on the site for ages. From cycle 7 through to 12 the side effects just continued to worsen. I was continually weary and could hardly walk to my local shops.
At cycle 11 I reported to the oncologist that the neuropathy had increased considerably. He stopped me taking the oxylaplatin infusion and continued me on capecetabine tablets.
During the 12th cycle my neuropathy worsened again and I was advised to stop everything. So I had completed 10 cycles of oxy and 11.5 of cape.
The oncologist assured me that in time the neuropathy would wear off, but here I am 3 weeks after treatment finished and my symptoms have got progressively worse. I can hardly feel anything in my fingers,lower legs and toes and I have very little strength.
I'm feeling a bit down because I expected to start feeling better once the chemo had finished. I had a CT scan last week and I'm seeing the surgeon on June 3rd.
