The week before my treatment went really well and I felt loads better so if you are on the same journey take heart the side effects do pass so that you are ready to start again 3 weeks later. I had my bloods done on the Monday and they were all normal. I also saw my Oncologist and he was happy for me to continue. My white blood cell count was back in the normal range for the first time since my diagnoses of CLL so the Epirubicin and Cyclophosphamide are helping to control that too. I had my treatment almost two weeks ago and like last time did not feel at all well again. The mornings were better so went back to main meal at lunch time, after that I started to deteriorate feeling sickly and absolutely no energy. Sitting down to wash again as not able to stand in the shower - all good fun! In bed by 8 but didn't sleep at night very well on Tuesday and Wednesday despite sleeping tablet! The nights were much better once I'd finished the steroids for 3 more weeks. I started to improve when my 7 days of Filgrastim were completed. I find the side effects of these are quite hard to deal with on top of everything else! The good thing is that the various medications I've been given to counteract side effects usually work quite well, I won't list all these ailments as I'm sure everyone has the same reactions. I now feel much better and as long as I have a short rest in the afternoon all is good. Another week normality before I start again.
The day before my last chemotherapy session I am seeing both my Oncologist and my Surgoen so will get the date of my surgery then. I'm not sure a about a restructure but I don't think this is what I want at the moment. That is my next big decision to make but I know that my family will support me whatever I decide. I might have to have a course of radiotherapy afterwards depending on how the surgery goes.
Slowly I am getting through this journey but I am now starting to look ahead and talk about the future. Belief me I will never take life for granted again and will endeavour to treasure every moment. I stress once more that I wouldn't have managed this alone, my family are amazing and helped me when I've been very dejected. My closest friends have been a constant support and I cannot thank them enough. I hope that everyone has this loving support and is able to talk through their problems, it really does help. Good luck everyone, I will write again before too long.
.
