My ever present friend and other health issues:

Another broken night's sleep! The first task this morning was to undertake a Covid 19 swabbing of the back of my throat and nose. The swab needed to be delivered to the Worthing Hospital Path Lab by midday. This was done on my way to have two files of blood taken for testing.  Peter once again drove me to Worthing arriving in plenty of time to meet the noon cut off. My blood test appointment was booked for 1.35 pm, but the blood test unit receptionist arranged for me to be seen by a phlebotomist nurse early. Having arrived at the hospital by 11.45 I was back to the car before midday feeling very cared for. Well done to the Worthing Hospital team, once again I am most grateful. BSC - 4 and 5. Needed to take 2 loperamide hydrochloride tablets at bedtime to calm this down. Opened the sachet of Medihoney that a patient in Chiltington Ward gave me. He said that the relief the barrier cream was almost immediate. Good indeed. The patient is a high functioning addict. 

Up twice during the night and woke up with a headache, but no medicine to take today. It is however another cold day so multiple layers of clothing is in order. BSC - 3

The second cycle is now complete and another 54 chemotherapy tablets successfully taken.  A key side effects have been the increased reaction to touching anything cold with instant tingling in the fingers. Also  there has been tingling when my fingers have touch surfaces a little to hard. The hot/cold gauntlets have become a must use with many kitchen activities from opening the fridge or oven to using the sink. The outdoor wear purchased including a Buff snood and heated glove liners are most effective. It was 3 degrees Celsius yesterday evening when we went for a walk and I had not cold related side effects. Keeping warm is a keep part of minimising the peripheral neuropathy. The second side effect has been the increased feeling of nausea, particularly in the first week of this cycle. The anti nausea tablets seemed to help. Ann suggests that I should start to take them before the start of each cycle. The vitamin B6 may be assisting  with this and the tingling sensations...

6 more tablets and cycle 2 is complete. Peripheral Neuropathy is still an issue if I touch anything cold. Also Tinnitus is a growing issue. BSC - 3

6 chemotherapy tablets and 3 for anti nausea.  Cold weather clothing working well. BSC - 3

Tablets, 3 morning and 3 evening plus 3 anti nausea. A cold day so used the snood, balaclava, heated glove liners and over trousers. These and layers kept me very warm when it for two walks during the day. Very windy during the afternoon and evening. It’s 3 months since the colon resection operation that I enjoyed on 25th August. BSC - 3

Day 7 of the second cycle 6 chemotherapy tablets and 3 nausea tablets.  The main side effect today is flatulence. Some tingling and feeling of nausea.  BSC  - 3 Note. I need to create a “tablets timetable” for future cycles to ensure that all medications are remembered And taken at the appropriate times.