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
CT scan June was fine. Everything seemed fine, had an excellent holiday in August. Still feeling really tired, aches & pains in all my joints.
Saw oncologist in October and he sent me for a further CT. I have now been told that there have been some changes to my liver and they're not sure what it is, so referred to liver specialist - waiting,waiting ... always the worst bit :)
Also had a sigmoidoscopy this week - bowel looking nice and pink and clean!
Have now had a PET scan and MRI which confirm large tumour in liver - everywhere else clear. Liver is currently inoperable because the tumour is very close to major blood vessels. Waiting to go back on chemo to try to shrink it, which may allow surgery.
Not what I wanted to hear. I still have major pains in my left hip and shoulder joints, courtesy of the first chemo, plus peripheral neuropathy, so I'm not looking forward to more toxins.
But it has to be done! I had planned a motorcycle trip to France for June 2010 which I've now put on hold - so my goal is get there some time in 2010.
