My ever present friend and other health issues:

On Wednesday I enjoyed my 56 FOLFIRI chemotherapy infusion, All went well with the treatment. I had another very good conversation with Deputy Sister Sarah about the chocolates that I gave her from my visit to Bournville in October, Dairy Milk Biscoff was a really winner for her, she also liked the C'Dor dark samples too. At the previous appointment 2 weeks before she spoke about having had another dangerous incident with a patient almost pushing over their IV pole, one of the older versions. Lynda and I made a Christmas donation of £1000 to the Friends of Worthing Hospital to replace 5 more as we did when I past 50 infusions earlier this year. They are most grateful for our generosity.  I had nurse Sandra manage my infusion and she was able to tell me that my latest CEA blood test marker from Monday showed a decrease to 3 back from the 4 it had risen to after my 8 week break from treatment. Pleasing considering I have had only one treatment since restarting and it would seem to in...

 A year ago today I had an appointment for a chemotherapy infusion, but when I had my blood pressure checked I showed that I was suffering a heart attack and was taken to A&E. That event led to having 3 stents inserted and a good recovery.  Today I enjoyed my 62 nd infusion and know how lucky I am. The nurse that undertook the procedure to insert a PICC line 39 months sago told me that I am the patient with the longest time with one the she inserted and it is still working perfectly. Recent one of the IV nurses told me I am their longest attending patient, have had over 100 visits to the 3 clinics I go to, Shoreham & Durrington Health Centres and Bognor Regis War Memorial Hospital. Today was also good as the blood test that show cancerous activity level dropped back to 3 after rising to 4 after my recent 8 week break from treatment. I realise that I am lucky as the consultant said to have genetics that aline with the FOLFIRI treatment and that patients who continue to ...

 I was diagnosed with Colon Cancer with a colonoscopy on 8th July 2021 and this was followed by a colon resection on 26th August, 7 weeks later. The surgery was undertaken by M Baig at Worthing Hospital and textbook. No Stoma!!!!  A course of 6 chemotherapy treatments were delivered between November 2021 and January 2022. I February I had my first high temperature event and on phoning the Chemotherapy Helpline and was told to get to the Worthing Hospital  Emergency floor. Pneumonia was eventually diagnosis. I was given a dose of high end introvinous antibiotics and discharged with I end antibiotic tablets. I then had 23 GP appointments over the next 14 weeks. I was told that I had stage 4 colon cancer and secondary tumours in my peritonal cavity. Palliative treatment was offered and it started in September 2023 after a PICC Line was inserted. I have now had 6 Capox treatments and 54 FOLFIRI. The current course is working at the top end of my consultants expecta...

In July 2021 I had a colonoscopy that revealed I had developed a cancerous tumour in my large intestine. It was in the descending part near to the the sigmoid colon. The cancer was removed during a successful operation at Worthing Hospital in August 2021 with consultant surgeon,  Mr Mirza Baig leading the team. I recovered well after the operation and was discharged after 5 nights.

Today I should have had my 53rd chemotherapy infusion, but my blood test results on Friday showed that the neutrophils were at 1.2 (10*9/L). The minimum level for chemotherapy to go ahead is 1.5.  Its not the first time that that this has happened, but because of the bank holidays including the May Day one on 5th May my next treatment will be on 19th May. This will be a break of nearly 7 weeks. No the longest gap, but certainly comes with a level of concern. The FOLFIRI treatments that I am on works best when it is administered every two weeks.  The next CT scan in a months time will be revealing! IN the mean time the deferment has brought three phone calls. the first to confirm the deferment, the second to cancel the pump disconnect IV clinic appointment and book a PICC line service appointment. The third from the chemotherapy appointment administrator to advise on the rearranged treatment appointment. Chemotherapy Protocol COLORECTAL CANCER FLUOROURACIL, FOLINIC ACID (Modi...