I had my last dose of Capecitabine on Friday and I'm now enjoying my 7 days 'off'' before it starts all over again so I thought I'd pause a minute and take stock of where I am.
Last weekend I attended the Isle of Wight music festival and had a great time watching The Who, Queen and the Stereophonics plus loads of other bands. Even though it had been booked before I was diagnosed I was determined to go. 4 nights under canvas was probably not the most sensible thing I've done and was even perhaps a little irresponsible but I made sure I had all my medication and any necessary phone numbers. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank my 2 youngest son's Joe and Tom, and their friend Hallum for doing all the lifting and carrying for me.
It was part of my showing my cancer that it will not stop me living my life. There may well come a time when I'm not physically able to do the things I'd like but until then I'm up for anything! I'm off walking in the Peak district in 2 weeks time too. I'm dreading it as me and Mr. Exercise are not the closest of acquaintances. But I'm going with some very good friends who I'm sure will offer good advice and encouragement such as 'Get a move on fatty the pub's open in 2 hours', I'll let you know how it goes.
Perhaps I've been very fortunate in that the only side effects I've had during my first chemo cycle have been very mild nausea and slight pins and needles when my hands get cold. I have noticed getting tired on occasions. One minute I'm fine then the next it's like hitting a wall and needing to rest. When this happens I don't fight it. Perhaps for the first time in my life I've started taking my own advice and listening to my body.
I haven't got x-ray vision to see if my cancer is shrinking but I actually feel 'better'. Perhaps it's psychosomatic but I have no pain in my right side where my liver tumour is and, sorry about this, it's much easier passing stools which might indicate that that the tumour in my rectum is getting smaller. Who knows? Time will tell,
So next steps are blood test on Tuesday and then back to hospital on Friday for another session of Oxaliplatin. I'll let the medical staff know about the pins and needles as I'm not sure there might be something they can do but in the grand scheme of things it's just a bit of an inconvenience,
It's Fathers' day tomorrow so I've got my 4 sons coming around to cook Sunday lunch which will be fun. But it's also a time when I'll remember my own Dad. He sadly died from Bowel cancer 9 years ago but I'll still raise a glass.
I miss hm.
Cheers Dad!
