I had my chemotherapy appointment today and have come away with a bag load of pills and various items to counteract possible side effects. Hopefully as I am having a relatively low dose (of Capecitibine) to go with the radiotherapy I will not suffer from side effects too much, but it is sill going to take some adjusting to the new regime. Two pills twice a day at the same time each day following food (Monday-Friday - weekends off!).
I have been given enough for 15 days and see the pharmacist at the clinic just over 2 weeks in for the next prescription depending on my reaction (in terms of side effects) over the first couple of weeks. I am equipped with a diary to note down time of taking the medication and side effects experienced - the more common ones being diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, hand and foot syndrome (darkening and dryness of the skin to be counteracted with extra moisturising). I need to be careful with infection so keep away if you have chicken pox! (Seriously, my immune system will be weakened so need to be careful - hopefully the recent snottiness of P and S will have cleared up by next week and we'll have a healthy month or so to follow).
One thing that wasn't according to the text book was my ECG. A very rare side effect is angina so an ECG before starting the therapy is the norm. I don't know what mine showed but it was referred to the oncologist for a second opinion. Although he is 'not worried' he has suggested a repeat ECG just before first radiotherapy and that I don't take the first Capecitibine dose until after that (I would have been due t start the morning before). I'm not too sure what can be picked up by an ecg but I did have bloods taken immediately before so not sure if that could have affected it? Anyway, hopefully the repeat will come back normal. Even if it shows the same as today then I expect to proceed according to plan, but just with first dose in the evening on Monday instead of the morning.
One or two things to sort out for next week (child care on Monday so B can come with me to the appointment for example), but otherwise I feel it is about time that I got on with trying to beat this thing with whatever means the medics recommend and with the very welcome support of all family and friends. Sorry I haven't replied to all individual messages (yet!), but I am truly grateful for them.
