A strange day. Although I have had two weeks off chemo (three if you count the drug-free week which is part of the normal cycle), my blood count is still not good.
I went into Northampton early for repeat bloods to be taken in case there was an improvement since Friday's blood test. In fact, on one of the measures - neutrophils - the count was actually worse than two weeks ago when my chemo was postponed. Today the count was 0.5 (ideally should be 1.5 for treatment to go ahead), and the total White Cell Count was 1.6 (should be 3).
After a telephone call with the oncologist, the chemo nurse gave me a couple of options: more time off the drugs, or proceed with tablets only: no oxaliplatin.
I didn't take long to decide to go ahead with capetibine tablets only. This means that I have now started cycle 4 of the treatment (the half way mark), and I avoid the most nasty side effects of Oxaliplatin. I am very pleased to know I won't be suffering from the pins and needles and to be able to eat cold stuff - icecream! - this week (not possible on Oxaliplatin due to cold sensitivity). Also no 'blues' following steroid treatment, and the exhaustion will be less too.
All in all a good outcome but I was very tired when I got back from the clinic. I had psyched myself up for the treatment and even though it's good be starting cycle 4 knowing the side effects will be much easier to handle the whole process is emotionally draining. And it is not ideal to have such a weakened immune system either.
By late afternoon I was already making the most of not having had oxaliplatin as I cycled to nursery to collect S and bring her home on the back of the bike. Being back on the bike is a bit of a new thing anyway since last November's surgery, and certainly not something I'd have even thought about doing on day 1 of the previous cycles of chemo.
I now look forward to the rest of the week knowing it is going to be much better than anticipated. I'll have to get back on the bike to make up for all the chocolate egg consumption!
Love to all. x
