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Post Operative Journey to Chemotherapy

 At my post-operative appointment on 16th September with Mr Baig he review the operation and the pathology of the 90mm section of removed colon. The tumour was fully removed, one of the 15 lymph nodes that were included in the section was cancerous and there were a few microscopic specks on the outside of the colon wall. He said that chemotherapy could be offered on a belt and braces approach to deal with any lingering risk.

I of course said yes and then had an appointment on 7th October with Dr Webb and oncology consultant. He also reviewed the pathology of the cancerous section of colon. He then went though his preferred chemotherapy plan. 6 cycles of infusion and oral tablets repeated over 2 week periods. 

The first treatment started on 4th October with covid-19 test training on 1st October along with a blood test. This was followed with an information appointment of Tuesday 2nd, this was with Sarah.

My chemotherapy appointment was 9.45 am and I was driven by a friend to the hospital and taken in to the chemotherapy suite by the same nurse, Sarah. She was working with staff nurse Abbie who inserted the short needled canula in to a vein on the side of my left arm and plumbed up. After my blood pressure, pulse and oxygenation level had been taken. 

The pumped infusion was explained and it was to take 2 hours. Fortunately I had no significant challenges with the infusion. There have been some interesting side effects since arriving home. First was a tenderness on the front of my left forearm. The painful bite that Ruth Mayre flagged up happen for about from the afternoon until the following lunchtime. I also had a raised pulse rate at 99 bpm.

The most unexpected effect was was the cold air on my face. 

Taking the tablets on day two was uneventful apart from hiccoughs after meals.

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