I'm now officially half way through the chemo (yay!) and this most recent cycle (the fourth of eight) was by far the easiest. Not surprising really, with my white blood count being so low, I was only permitted the oral drug (capecitibine), and for me the side effects of this are minimal.
My next oncology appointment is on Friday and I don't really know what to expect. With my white blood count being low even after two weeks from the end of the cycle (between cycles 3 and 4), I'm assuming a dose reduction for both Oxaliplatin and Capecitibine. But what if my counts are still low? I gather there are ways to bring white cell count back up but these have not been discussed in my case yet. Perhaps I will be given more weeks off between treatments. I don't really want delays, but on the other hand I want to follow whatever advice there is about the best course of action in my circumstances. So, I feel a bit in limbo. I don't like not knowing whether I'll be functioning next week (in work, picking kids up from school/nursery,etc) or not.
However, in the meantime I've been feeling well and making the most of it!
A number of highlights: seeing friends in Durham; sharing Holiday School memories in York (sad in some ways as it was a memorial event, but lovely to see so many friends from HS past and present); local street party; sunshine in the garden; getting back to cycling....
I am happy to say that our street party raised in the region of £150 for Macmillan. There was a raffle, cake stall, and card stall to help cover the costs of the party with any extra left over going to Macmillan so it was great news to reach that amount. Thanks to all involved.
Here are a couple of photos. I think some people who've not seen me for a while wonder if I have lost my hair but don't like to ask. Well, as you can see from this one of me with P, that I still have it!
