My ever present friend and other health issues:

Attended the Shoreham Health Centre IV clinic for an appointment with Nurse Carol to remove the empty balloon pump. that was attached at the end of Wednesdays section at the Amberly Unit. The pump is loaded with around 100 ml of  fluorouracil  (5-FU) and is delivered at around 2.5 ml per hour over 46 hours. The observations reveal high blood pressure, 153/92.

 The chemotherapy treatment comes with many side effects, Worthing Hospital have a list of 178 of which I initially counted 23. Of these 23 I have found 5 are persistent: Nausea that Crystallized Ginger is most effective at minimising along with ginger tea, ginger nut biscuits and ginger cordial. Mouth ulcers that Corsodyl mouthwash manages well. Brittle fingernails that collagen tablets has eased the issue Hair Loss has been reduced by taking Collagen tablets Bloating and flatulence being tacked with the Fodmap diet and the Monash University app.

My 20th infusion occurred on August 23rd a week later than expected due to last week's abscess. Blood test was on Mondayand while the Neutrophils were in the normal range at 2.6, the Liver function test ALT was high at 131, up from 89 four weeks previously. This result need Dr Webb, my consultant's approval before the chemotherapy could go ahead. Drugs can only be ordered from the hospital Pharmacy once approval has been given so there was a two-hour delay befor ethe drugs arrived. All went well and I was discharged only around 45 minutes later than expected. Just needed Corsodyl mouthwash in the way of drugs this cycle. The next step on this journey is pump removal on Friday and CT scan on 29th August.

 On Monday morning I woke up with a swollen left cheek caused by a dental abscess.  The Green Arbor dental practice do not operate on Monday's and after 4 phone calls I had an emergency appointment with Kallod at the Old Mill practice in Church Street. She quickly confirmed the abscess and lanced it to relieve the swelling.  She prescribed 2 antibiotic, Amoxicillin  3 a day for 5 days and Metronidazole  3 a day for 5 days. The prescription was private and cost £19.30 at Lloyds Chemists. Eddie came out to tell me the the  Metronidazole  should not be taken during Chemotherapy treatment. I had already advised the Chemo Helpline at the Amberley Unit earlier and the booked infusion for Wednesday 17th was delayed a week. I advised Green Arbor on Tuesday and had an appointment on Thursday with Monica, my regular dentist. She undertook an examination and took an Xray of the infected tooth. We then discussed treatment and agreed that an extraction would be the...

Had a blood test on Monday with PICC line service. Discussed having a chest port to replace the PICC line, this would be installed under general anaesthetic as a day patient. I am now 9 months into the Folori infusion treatment programme having had seventeen cycles and this will continue as part of my palliative treatment. I agreed that the nurse should send in an email indicating that I wish to go ahead with this. The blood test was good as my neutrophil count was 2.0 so the infusion could go ahead. Had my 7th Covid-19 vaccination on Tuesday. Wednesday was a 2 pm appointment at the Amberly Unit for chemotherapy and was managed by nurse Racheal. Fell nauseous with pains in my abdomen. Crystallized ginger and ginger tea helped. With only one infusion during the past eight weeks it is not a surprise to have had some discomfort. The normal side effects are less worrying now. On Friday another appointment at Shoreham Medical Centre to have the pump removed, the 46 hour infusion was not qui...

My blood test taken at Bognor Regis War memorial Hospital yesterday revealed another low neutrophil level, this time at 1.3. As 1.5 is the protocol level tomorrow's chemotherapy infusion is postponed.  A phone call from Amberley Unit confirmed the delay, Louise will phone with a new appointment and a blood test form will be posted out. 

Week commencing 5th June was busy. On Monday there was IAA Judging held at the former London Transport Head Office in Broadway, central London. Wednesday visited Peter H in Sussexdown, and found him to be the most alert and chatty this year. He had new hearing aids that seemed to have made a significant difference. Thursday met Dr Webb for a three monthly appointment. He revealed that the growth remains stable and the CEA blood marker has been at 3 for the two most recent tests. Good news indeed and the treatment continues. Another appointment in September. We did discuss neutrophils with him as well as the side effects. Taking collogen was positively acknowledged, but B12 for neuropathy was questioned. It seems there is not much evidence to support that it improves nerve recovery. After the consultation I had a PICC line flush and redress at the Amberley Unit. Friday, we drove to Frome and onto Exmouth on Saturday.