darter's data

Happier darter

2010-05-29T19:12:35Z

A big thank you to Christine R & Sarsfield for their encouraging words. Yes i do feel a lot happier about the new treatment, the specialists have only my best interest at heart (sorry about the pun). I really can't wait for my chemo to start, after all, this is were the battle against the cancer(s) begins. Darter

no chemo day

2010-05-28T20:59:49Z

arrived at the oncology centre this morning in good time for my 8-30 chemotherapy treatment start. only to be told because of my heart by-pass op a few years ago i would need an ECG, the result of which showed a different picture of my heart to what it was after the op. Consequently my onc decided that owing to this difference it was in my best interest not to go ahead with my chemo. One of the drugs i was going to be on was Cisplatin which, containing a good dosage of potassium was no good for my dicky ticker. Why didn,t they do the ECG earlier? I was very dissapointed to say the least. But, as one door closes another opens and i start on two different chemo drugs a week on friday. The drugs are Gemcitabine & Carboplatin which will not be so detrimental to my ticker (i hope). also the treatment only takes about 21/2 hours instead of the 6/7 hours the last treatment would have taken. Roll on the 4th of june and lets get started. Eager Darter

Big thanks

2010-05-27T20:50:11Z

Hi there bali, thanks for the positives. Like so many of us out there i'm going into unchartered waters. Im pretty good at talking so i'm sure i.ll get to know some other patients tomorrow, and we can swap our cancer stories which i am sure will help us. The nursing staff will be on hand to help and assure us as well. So already i'm not so nervous. Nice to here from you. Darter

Chemo day

2010-05-27T19:06:14Z

nice to here you are a west Hull man Graeme, we might make a proper egg chaser supporter of you after all. Seriously though, glad you are in remission and hope it lasts. I'm having my first session of chemo tomorrow at the new centre, i certainly want the treatment, but a little apprehensive regarding the side effects. We will just hav to see how it goes (fingers crossed). TTFN :-)

General blog

2010-05-23T21:20:06Z

Hi graeme thanks for the blog, yes i have a mac nurse shes called janet and shes brilliant. As you say you can talk to them as though youv'e known them forever. You sound as though your having a bit rough at the moment - hope it all goes well for you. By the way graeme i am a rugby man and im a keen supporter of Hull FC ( the Black & Whites) i'm a season passholder at the KC stadium. Hull won today they were playing at castleford and they won 34-26 which takes them to 4th in the league. But i hope city do well in the championship. Bye for now Darter.

re: graeme's blog

2010-05-22T20:36:51Z

thanks for getting in touch Graeme. I thought the new oncology centre at Castle Hill was great as well. My specialist is a Dr M. Butt, and hes the chemo specialist. They are giving me anti-sickness drugs, and im going in as a day patient. As you say Graeme the new place is a world away from HRI. Keep in touch. Darter

Assessment Day

2010-05-21T21:12:50Z

Hi all, today was my assessment day at the brand new oncology centre at Castle Hill hospital in Cottingham near Hull. The place is marvellous not like a hospital at all. The actual assessment took just under 4 hours and i was shown round the treatment room, very nice. My nurse, mandi, gave me an injection in my bum ( i think she enjoyed that) and i started taking the folic acid tabs. My treatment starts a week today, the 28th, and i have to be at the centre by 8-30am. So much to take in but i'm sure the nurses and doctors will help me every step of the way. The two chemo drugs i will be taking are Pemetrexed and Cisplatin. All you old hands out there can you give me the lowdown of your experience with these two drugs, i know we are all different but it might help me. I'm somewhat apprehensive, but also very glad my treatment won't be too long now in starting. Happy darter

positive

2010-05-20T21:07:37Z

Thanks KATEG, thanks for the positive feedback. I know, like hundreds of people before me, that i'm going into unchartered territory, but i am trying to be upbeat about it. I'll keep you informed of my progress, so dont stop the blogs will you. UPBEAT DARTER

new friend

2010-05-20T20:56:12Z

Hi SOFIABABY, glad to have you as a friend. I look forward to reading a few blogs form you. All the best until then. Darter

good news

2010-05-19T21:41:59Z

Hi ann, hi everyone, sorry i have'nt been in touch but have not been too good of late. But some good news, bloodtest ok, i go for my chemo assessment this coming friday. Hopefully i will be given a start date for treatment, so i am a little apprehensive. This is what, like so many of us, i have been waiting for. Like the yanks say 'LETS KICK ASS' Darter.

rocking darter

2010-05-15T13:23:35Z

thanks for the blog nutcracker, i will certainly be shaking the airwaves later on. I'm listening to 'Planet Rock' on Digital Radio at the moment. I'm hoping the postie will bring me some good news on monday regarding the result of my bloodtest. Darter.

grateful darter

2010-05-14T20:02:23Z

Hi folks, a very big thanks to all who blogged back to me after my little outburst. I cetainly kept the volume up. my favourite AC/DC track is 'A Whole Lotta Rosie; and she really did get some airtime last night. Nothing in the post about the result of my blood test, and the weekend is here so another two days will have gone. Very frustrating. Ah well, i might give Page & Plant an outing tonight. Darter.

darter shocked again

2010-05-13T19:43:06Z

Hi all, kept my appointmentb at the clinic today to discuss chemo only to be told that the cancer has now spread to my left ribcage. this was like a kick in the teeth. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks i will be assesed and, fingers crossed, be starting some treatment. Its like taking one step forward and two back at the moment. Im going to cheer myself up by putting on some heavy rock & roll. Even though im a pensioner i like AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Sabbath & Rainbow. I'll start with AC/DC i think.

Thanks for the support

2010-05-11T19:18:56Z

To Kate91 & Sharonc1959, hi girls thanks for the support much appreciated. It might sound daft but i feel as if a weight has gone from my shoulders as today i received my appontment letter to see the specialist to discuss chemo & possibly radio therapy treatment on this thursday coming. So i feel very lucky, i know it hasn't benn that long but for me it seemed endless. Will keep you posted. Darter

Darters Data

2010-05-10T21:52:25Z

I would just like to thank KATEG & Randolph123 for getting back to me, i really appreciate their time. I will certainly take some of their comments onboard. This is just what i was looking for, people in the same boat as me goimg through exactly what myself and hundreds of other folk are experiencing. Thank you both very much. Darter