It's been a while... apologies, but after a positive start - I actually felt ok for 3 days after Chemo No. 4 - new drug taxatore - it all went very pear shaped by day 7...
Basically I felt uncomfortable by the Tuesday - felt like my ribs were being squeezed and NO energy, by the Thursday morning I was in massive pain and Trev rushed me down to the chemo ward - there I stayed all day, mega amounts of morphine had a short lived affect on the pain, and by mid afternoon my temperature spiked so I had to be admitted. IV antibiotics were the first requirement!
Things calmed down a little, but I must admit the following 48 hours are a bit of a blur. I was well enough to have visitors Friday early afternoon and the pain was under control, then suddenly everything just went crazy - my bloods came back as dangerously low - no bone marrow; few white cells; low red cells - blood transfusion needed! The canular in my hand stopped working... after 10+ failed attempts to get blood out of my veins - including my foot - the Dr was getting concerned - apparently it's a sign that the body is shutting down in order to protect main organs (I didn't know this at the time!!!)... bodily functions shut down too (more tubes!!!)...to add to the drama my temp hit 40 degrees and my blood pressure dropped to 50/35 - I didn't know it but the HDU nurses had to monitor me that night - so first they moved me so I was next to the nurses station (got my own room with fantastic view over the harbour) then they had to find a vein. To cut a long story short I ended up having a line put into femoral vein in groin - ouch! Did the trick and finally they could give and take blood and give me the medications I needed - it was a long night and 3 bags of blood later I was stable, apart from temperature spikes from time to time, for the rest of the weekend.
In order to try to find out the cause of the pain I had to have an ultra sound of liver, kidneys etc - nothing 'nasty' found - slightly enlarged liver BUT 2 of the liver tests came back abnormal, but did start to settle by Tuesday - still awaiting MRI of liver one day soon.
Gradually everything began to stabilise and go in the right direction - I was allowed home a week later.
It's almost a week now and I am starting to feel much better - thank goodness - still tired and no taste, but I can live with that!
Anyway, in the mix of things my consultant said no more chemo as too risky - it's preventative so with the rare reaction I had the risks now outweigh any benefits - got to say I'm relieved - I’d also reached the point where I could take no more.
So, it's onto radiotherapy now - planning meeting this coming Monday, then start a daily 3 week course the following Monday! It can't be as bad as chemo, just tiredness to contend with.
I must say a huge thank you to Helen for looking after puppy Bronte - and then me for a few days once I was released - it was so nice to have someone around to look after me - thank you!
Talking of puppy Bronte -
Basically I felt uncomfortable by the Tuesday - felt like my ribs were being squeezed and NO energy, by the Thursday morning I was in massive pain and Trev rushed me down to the chemo ward - there I stayed all day, mega amounts of morphine had a short lived affect on the pain, and by mid afternoon my temperature spiked so I had to be admitted. IV antibiotics were the first requirement!
Things calmed down a little, but I must admit the following 48 hours are a bit of a blur. I was well enough to have visitors Friday early afternoon and the pain was under control, then suddenly everything just went crazy - my bloods came back as dangerously low - no bone marrow; few white cells; low red cells - blood transfusion needed! The canular in my hand stopped working... after 10+ failed attempts to get blood out of my veins - including my foot - the Dr was getting concerned - apparently it's a sign that the body is shutting down in order to protect main organs (I didn't know this at the time!!!)... bodily functions shut down too (more tubes!!!)...to add to the drama my temp hit 40 degrees and my blood pressure dropped to 50/35 - I didn't know it but the HDU nurses had to monitor me that night - so first they moved me so I was next to the nurses station (got my own room with fantastic view over the harbour) then they had to find a vein. To cut a long story short I ended up having a line put into femoral vein in groin - ouch! Did the trick and finally they could give and take blood and give me the medications I needed - it was a long night and 3 bags of blood later I was stable, apart from temperature spikes from time to time, for the rest of the weekend.
In order to try to find out the cause of the pain I had to have an ultra sound of liver, kidneys etc - nothing 'nasty' found - slightly enlarged liver BUT 2 of the liver tests came back abnormal, but did start to settle by Tuesday - still awaiting MRI of liver one day soon.
Gradually everything began to stabilise and go in the right direction - I was allowed home a week later.
It's almost a week now and I am starting to feel much better - thank goodness - still tired and no taste, but I can live with that!
Anyway, in the mix of things my consultant said no more chemo as too risky - it's preventative so with the rare reaction I had the risks now outweigh any benefits - got to say I'm relieved - I’d also reached the point where I could take no more.
So, it's onto radiotherapy now - planning meeting this coming Monday, then start a daily 3 week course the following Monday! It can't be as bad as chemo, just tiredness to contend with.
I must say a huge thank you to Helen for looking after puppy Bronte - and then me for a few days once I was released - it was so nice to have someone around to look after me - thank you!
Talking of puppy Bronte -
Isn't she gorgeous - lively and inquisitive, but a welcome distraction to all that has been going on!
So, everything's come forward 6 weeks - finish radiotherapy 17 July (hopefully the hot flushes will have finished by then too!) so there is finally light at the end of the tunnel - and a summer holiday to look forward to. Will be counting on my friends to keep me occupied as i face new beginnings and life alone post chemo - well, not quite alone ~ Bronte will be keeping me company too! I think I've written enough for now, will write again soon. Love to you all xxx
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