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4 Years Since Diagnosis and 3 Years Since Starting FOLFIRI Chemotherapy

 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 expectation.

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Blood Test Results

 The pre-treatment blood test is important to ensure that patients are capable of with standing the toxic effects of the chemotherapy drugs. My neutrophil and Alt levels have cause deferment over the past few months. This weeks blood test results are ok so Monday's infusion will go ahead. That's Monday morning at 9:30 am definitely early! 

Oncologist consultation

 I have a quarterly appointment with my oncology consultant, Dr David Webb or one of his team every three month. Last week my appointment was with one of his team and two Mcmillan nurses, Sue and Jo. The oncologist asked how Iam coping with the treatment having had 20 chemotherapy infusions. I told her that I continue to tolerate the drugs very well and am managing most of the key side-effects well and continue to search for solutions for the others. She then told me that the recent CT Scan showed that the two growths remain stable, and the Blood CEA marker has recently fallen to 2, the lowest since November 2021. Most pleasing. She then asked if I wished to have a break, which I declined an ordered a further 12 infusions.

Another Chemotherapy Appointment

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.