My ever present friend and other health issues:

 A year ago today I had an appointment for a chemotherapy infusion, but when I had my blood pressure checked I showed that I was suffering a heart attack and was taken to A&E. That event led to having 3 stents inserted and a good recovery.  Today I enjoyed my 62 nd infusion and know how lucky I am. The nurse that undertook the procedure to insert a PICC line 39 months sago told me that I am the patient with the longest time with one the she inserted and it is still working perfectly. Recent one of the IV nurses told me I am their longest attending patient, have had over 100 visits to the 3 clinics I go to, Shoreham & Durrington Health Centres and Bognor Regis War Memorial Hospital. Today was also good as the blood test that show cancerous activity level dropped back to 3 after rising to 4 after my recent 8 week break from treatment. I realise that I am lucky as the consultant said to have genetics that aline with the FOLFIRI treatment and that patients who continue to ...

Today I should have had my 53rd chemotherapy infusion, but my blood test results on Friday showed that the neutrophils were at 1.2 (10*9/L). The minimum level for chemotherapy to go ahead is 1.5.  Its not the first time that that this has happened, but because of the bank holidays including the May Day one on 5th May my next treatment will be on 19th May. This will be a break of nearly 7 weeks. No the longest gap, but certainly comes with a level of concern. The FOLFIRI treatments that I am on works best when it is administered every two weeks.  The next CT scan in a months time will be revealing! IN the mean time the deferment has brought three phone calls. the first to confirm the deferment, the second to cancel the pump disconnect IV clinic appointment and book a PICC line service appointment. The third from the chemotherapy appointment administrator to advise on the rearranged treatment appointment. Chemotherapy Protocol COLORECTAL CANCER FLUOROURACIL, FOLINIC ACID (Modi...

Tuesday 16th January 9:45 I arrived at the Amberley unit at Worthing Hospital for my 26th cycle of the FOLFORI chemotherapy treatment. While the process took longer than normal due to a delay in the drugs arriving, but it was easier than usual. As always I am interested in learning useful knowledge. With the clinical educator overseeing the nurse who was at the end of his training I learnt some interesting things. Training takes 5 months, patients can remain on the treatment for a great many cycles. They have had patients who have had 100 plus. The side-effects have been at a much lower lever than normal, wonderful.

 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! 

 My infusion yesterday was managed by Baki the only male nurse on the Amberley unit. I think that he set the rate of the infusion at 60 minutes which I fine too uncomfortable. It causes abdominal cramp and a higher level of nausea. I went in at 13:55 and left the unit at 15:45 more than an hour earlier than normal. The highlight of the appointment was a conversation with dietian Alexa. She has been helping me understand how to deal with my bloating and wind and has introduced me to the FODMAP diet that appears to be proving useful. From the last cycle I identified that bloating occurred from day 4 to day 11. I need to collect and understand the data.

 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.