I've just reread my post from earlier in the week and I did sound gloomy!
Well today is certainly another day.
I've managed a couple of nights sleeping well and feel so much better.
I had my fourth Cetuximab treatment yesterday. The first thing I'm given is a selection of anti-nausea and painkiller tablets which are fine but quite a few of them. My PICC line is flushed and redressed. They recommend that the PICC line is redressed every week. I'm 'fortunate' that I'm having treatment every week so I get it done then. Otherwise a district nurse would visit to do the honours. So that's something else to be considered if anyone is thinking of going down the PICC line route.
Then I'm hooked up to the machine and I'm given a dose of Piriton. This is an anti-allergy syringe full that negates any allergic reaction I might have to the Cetuximab. The Piriton is accompanied with the words 'you may feel a little drowsy'. I'm asleep within seconds.
I'm awoken about half an hour later, asked my name, date of birth, first line of my address and then I'm plugged into the Cetuximab.
This has all gone without a problem so far. It takes about an hour to go through and then it's a quick flush of the line and I'm on my way.
As I've said earlier I have developed a slight rash on my face due to the treatment. It's difficult to explain but this is the first time I've had anything noticeable in public to my illness. Yes I've had the 5FU pump but that can be disguised and hidden under a baggy jumper. And due to some weight loss I've now got a lot of baggy jumpers. But people who don't know I'm ill will invariably ask questions. My friends, family and work colleagues know I'm ill and I can explain to them about the new treatment but I don't know whether to go through the whole 'I've got cancer' story or just to pass it off as a reaction to some 'medicine'.
I imagine it would depend on the question and what sort of mood I'm in at the time.
The more I read about the effects of Cetuximab the better I'm feeling. There have been some remarkable results and I believe I've made the right decision going down that route. Only time will tell.
Today I'm feeling good so I might give the grass a last cut of the year
