My ever present friend and other health issues:

My blood test showed that my neutrophil level was up to 2.4, double the result from the previous week. The nurse managing the treatment was Pip and was a delight. The treatment caused some nausea that crystalised ginger held control. All the side-effects from the previous infusion were relatively simple to manage. the potential chest infection is still an issue, the sputum sample has not shown a type of infection so a doctor's appointment is made for Tuesday so hopefully a route to a solution can be found.

The results of Monday's blood test indicates that my Neutrophil level is too low to proceed with this week's chemotherapy infusion. The Hospital protocol requires a level of 1.5 and my test result showed 1.2. Hopefully this will rebound for next week's blood test so that my treatment can continue promptly. I did have an appointment with my GP yesterday regarding what is likely to be an ongoing chest infection. A sputum sample has been requested, if and when I can produce one. Further to this a 24-hour heart monitor is also coming my way.

  My blood CEA marker is at 5 again! Excellent.

Up 3 times during night but feel better today. Trip to Shoreham Health Centre to have pump removed and PICC line serviced. Treated by Nurse Jane. Medications Anti-nausea Steroids Calcium Side-effects Constipation neuropathy Slight nausea.

The chemotherapy appointment was at 11am and Peter again drove me to the hospital. The infusion was managed by Sharon. There was some feeling of nausea, but ginger nut biscuits helped. The Amberley ward seemed calmer that at previous appointments and the procedure was completed in two and a half hours.  Feelings of nausea continue into day two and ginger cordial helps to relieve the symptoms. The pumped infusion is working as expected Medication Anti nausea  Anti acid reflux Steroid Calcium Side effects nausea neuropathy hichoughs constipation

After my visit to the Emergency Floor on 24th/25th January my temperature has not peaked, and my breathlessness has improved. My recovery was sufficient to enable chemotherapy to be resumed on 13th February, Monday. Blood test and PICC line service on 10th February, Friday and pump return and PICC service on Wednesday 16th.  My next CT scan has been rebooked at Southlands for 24th February along with the next blood test on the same visit to Shoreham. It will be interesting to learn if the 5 weeks without a chemotherapy infusion has changed the secondary cancers when I have my next Oncologist appointment.

My temperature spiked at around 10 pm at 39.5 c (103 f). A phone call to the chemo helpline brought an invitation to go to the Emergency Floor at Worthing Hospital. Arrived before 11 pm. and was eventually moved to the Consulting Room. Observations were taken and Blood Test were taken with a cannula. I received an antibiotic by infusion and then there was a long wait for all the blood results. Solium had fall since last week's blood test. I also provided a urine test. An ECG was undertaken and then a chest X-Ray. Also, the doctor that was in charge of my case undertook a thorough examination. His conclusion was that I could be discharged and that happened at around 4;15 am, Arrow Taxis provide a car, and we were home before 5:00 am. The diagnosis was not Sepsis but a chest infection. A course of Co-Amoxiclav was prescribed. The advice of the doctor was not to proceed with the Root Canal treatment until I am clear of the infection and after I have seen the Oncologist in March. At 5p...