Chemo Cycle No1

Started chemo at 5 pm which was 2 1/2 hours late due to my drugs being marked up and sent to Ward 3  instead of Ward 4 where I was actually staying. What More Can I Say. It's just the norm not to expect anything to go right

Anne dropped Sue and myself off and Sue wanted to stop until my treatment started but as usual nothing has gone to plan again so not wanting her to be late home I sent her off assuring her that I would be ok. She was clearly upset and it took a lot of effort to stop my eyes from watering. I've got to stay strong whatever. Mortality is a big reality in here more so than anywhere else I've been, ever. So many really sick people, all ages and backgrounds, there's no pattern or logic. It's just a lottery. There is even a smoking room that has special government dispensation for terminal patients.

None of the chaps in our room are very well obviously but what I mean is they don't look well. Dennis who is about 62 has lung cancer which has spread into his liver and kidneys and is terminal. Steve who is 61 has mouth and throat cancer (he's on radio therapy ) and Cliff who is in his mid 70,s also has lung cancer. I'm not sure how much fight he has in him since he lives alone and has already lost his wife to the big C 7 years ago, he does however have plenty of support from his family but admits to sometimes just sitting in his chair all morning without getting dressed.

The SCOT Trial has gone for a burton since they lost my blood samples, the only way that I could participate was to wait until next week and since i was already psyched up and my bag packed I decided to get on with the job.

The Oxiliplatin Was infused over 2 hours without any of the side effects however during the flushing with saline my arm became very painful due to the fast rate of the flush. I could actually feel my veins in my arm pulsating with the rhythm of the pump. The next drug was 250 Mils of flourouracil which was pumped in at the same rate as the saline, followed by another flush. Now for the big boy. 1 litre of 5-Flourouracil over 23 hours plus the same again once that has finished. At this rate I will be in here until Monday. The canula is uncomfortable and I can see how veins get knackered from this type of treatment. I'm assured the the PICC (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter) line will be much more comfortable with the drugs going direct into big vein leading to my heart. I Didn't sleep much last night so hopefully I will be tired enough to get some tonight. All this liquid is making me water the horse pretty often.