I am nearly half way through my final cycle of chemo. Taking oral capecitibine twice a day until Tuesday morning next week.
At the start of this cycle my blood counts were on the borderline (1.5 for neutrophils and 2.9 for WBC). This is the seventh of what was originally planned to be eight cycles. However, I've had delays along the way due to low blood counts so I have been reassured that I have had a good dose of chemo now and there is little evidence that any more will make any difference to what should already be a positive outcome for me. Therefore, I requested at the last review that the final cycle is cancelled.
I really wanted to finish the chemo before the school holidays and if there hadn't been any delays, this would easily have been possible. I didn't want to be taking pills away camping with me at the end of July (not convenient and keeping the medication secure and away from an inquisitive 3-year-old not entirely straight forward), so the request to cancel the final cycle was mainly psychological and convenience for me. If my counts had been any lower it would have been cancelled anyway, and the oncolgist did not try to dissuade me.
Apart from the affect on my blood, I have been lucky not to experience side effects with capecitibine: no nausea, no diarrhoea, slight dryness but no particular problems with sores on hands and feet, no mouth ulcers. Energy levels good: work, activities with the kids, ballet twice a week... more or less life as normal. I think any tiredness has been life in general and not chemically induced!
Looking forward to the summer when this phase is over. Looking forward to our holiday and some great parties!
Good luck everyone who is facing tough times.
Lots of love,
E
x
