As they say in football: ‘It’s a game of two halves’, well I am now officially on the second half of my chemo treatment. Knowing that there is less time to go than I’ve already spent on chemo is a definite boost.
Preparation: I was quite tired yesterday, after the ukulele gig, so I was hoping that the ‘Dexa’ would give me a boost and it did a little. By the time I headed for the Cancer Centre on Friday morning I was feeling quite good.
Treatment: I had to wait for the cold capping machine to cool down, which takes about 20 mins, but from then onwards it was as efficient as always. A saline flush, cold cap on, five mins of significant ‘stabbing’ in my scalp, then numbness, wait for 20-25 mins, finally the ‘Doce’ at full rate from the outset. After last time, I was expecting to notice the impact as soon as is started, but this time no head spinning or strange feelings in my jaw – most curious; must have been a one-off last time. There were lots of ‘champagne bubbles’ in the feed lines today, the pumps kept stopping, so that delayed things a little. As usual, my meds arrived mid-treatment, a large bag with my Daraluamide (second-string hormone treatment), Domperidone (for nausea), Prednisolone (a steroid) and Omeprazole (to mitigate some of the side-effects). Also, more Filgrastim (or ‘Filly’) - more injections – fortunately, I had prepared myself for this, it’s still daunting to think about injecting myself, but I’m on top of it now; my white blood cells need the help!
Day 1: this time tiredness started even earlier, by Friday afternoon and the ‘leaden’ feeling in my arms and legs was very noticeable this time. I slept well, but by Saturday morning the tiredness and fatigue were well embedded. Shirley and I were hoping to visit friends, Timmo and Jimbo, up near Reading, but we had to cry off. I slept most of the afternoon and early evening, hoping that I would be able to stay awake for the England vs France World Cup Bronze Final. To be fair, I was not expecting a great match, but I was pleasantly surprised. England showed some character and turned up to play properly, this pushed the French into a response in the second-half. 6-4 to England was the final result, great fun, very glad I was able to stay awake and watch it.
Day 2: a very slow day, lots of sleeping, but still only tiredness and fatigue as proper side-effects. I have a little ‘tingling’ on the tip of my tongue and a very slight change in taste, but this really is insignificant considering what the possibilities are. In the evening, it was ‘Filly’ time, I’m not in anyway ‘used’ to giving myself injections yet (I may have to get so when things progress, but that will be some considerable time away - I hope!), but I’m not daunted by it anymore. Sterile work area set-up, I got the ‘Filly’ from the fridge, 30 mins to get to room temperature, prepare the injection site and stab, press the plunger on the syringe and its done – same again tomorrow and Tuesday, I still only need a basic boost.
Day 3: I feel that I am on the right side of the tiredness and fatigue today. I woke feeling good, made my own breakfast this morning to have with my morning meds. It will be a slow, but easy day.
Day 4: A little more energy today, I’d say I’m about 50%. I had my final acupuncture appointment as well. I’ve been reflecting on the acupuncture, the process itself is very relaxing and grounding, which is nice. Whether it has had a positive impact on the hot flushes is harder to say. They were steadily reducing anyway, regardless of acupuncture, and have continued to do so. I guess now I’m finished the course of treatment I’ll see if they pick up again. And, all the ‘Filly’ has now been administered, no more until the next cycle, much easy on the ‘psychology’ this time.
Day 5: I am definitely feeling much more like my normal self. I know that I’ll be slow, on and off, through the day, but I can get things done. I’ll be down in my greenhouse soon, my tomatoes are growing very well, as are my chillis, even the bell peppers look good this year. However, I’m nothing compared to my wife ‘farmer’ Shirley: potatoes (loads), courgettes, gem squash, rhubard, berlotti beans, kale, spinach (loads), lettuces (various), mangleworzel (new this year), tomatoes, grapes (in abundance, we’ll be making wine again) and of course eggs from her flock of chickens. And, these are all set amongst many companion flowers to promote pollinators; our garden is a food and wildlife haven.
Day 6: although a little slow, I’m operating fairly normally again. I have been so, so lucky to have had such minimal side-effects. Really, tiredness and fatigue are a little irritating, but not that hard to manage. To not have had any gastric issues, no loss of taste (save for the first cycle), no mouth issues, no noticeable hair loss anywhere, no pain or discomfort, even with the ‘Filly’ – which was billed as a challenging medicine; I can’t really express how grateful I am. It now feels like I’m properly on the downward slope. Only two more cycles to go and then a new scan, I have no doubt that that will be an anxious time, but that’s 6-7 weeks away yet. Off for an Indian meal at a local restaurant now; a Quorn Jalfrezi beckons.
