My ever present friend and other health issues:

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...

My blood test on Wednesday revealed a low neutrophil level at 1.2 Too low for treatment today. Infusion 16 has been delayed by one week until next Friday. This brings a rearrangement of the subsidiary IV appointments including the pre-holiday PICC line service. The delay means that I will have had a 4 week gap between infusions followed by a three week gap. The most recent CEA test result was 4 so a further fall into the normal range!

A visit to Shorham Health Centre for the removal of the pump and PICC Line service. This was undertaken by the same nurse as Monday's appointment at Bognor. Appoints made for Cycle 9 with Wednesday for the blood test, Friday for infusion and Sunday for pump removal and PICC Line Service. Slept poorly  Side-effects  Neuropathy:  Hand-Foot Syndrome or Palmar-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia Breathlessness ongoing ulcer on left side of mouth roof. Mild constipation Nausea Dark urine Meds Anti-nausea B12 B6 Steroids Anti-acid reflux Calcium Paracetamol Observations Raised BP, pulse, temp 37.7c and lower Blood oxygen  Phone conversations with Luthfa, Jack and Jai.

Woke up with a temperature of 37.7c, this declined to 36.9c within 20 minutes. I did not but mentioned this to the chemotherapy helpline nurse who told me that I only need to report this sort of temperature if I have any symptoms, I also report the slow 5FU infusion rate that was due to a kink in the line. Received a call from Shoreham regarding the speed of infusion and was asked if I would be interested in coming for an earlier appointment. Considering the slow rate, I declined the offer. Friday is a PICC Line service day - 3.30 pm appointment at Shoreham Health Centre. PICC Line service was performed by Nurse Lyndsay for the second time. Booked appointments for 19th and 23rd of December. Ordered a second prescription of PICC Line dressings IV-3000 after discussing the shortage of it with Nurse Lindsay. If I get a further pack of 10, I will have enough to take me thought to the end of this course, keep 2 for spare just in case of need any unplanned redressing and share 6 with the IV ...

Home with the pump delivering fluorouracil (5FU) came home with the pump and infusion weighing 160 grams. at 11 am today it weighs 123 grams. honed Louise, the chemotherapy appointment manager at Worthing and arranged my 6th December appoint to 3 pm and advised her that I can't do 8.30 am and that 9.30 is the earliest I can get to Worthing. I now need to get new appointments for. Emma sent the website address for access to the Patients’ experiences of chemotherapy: side-effects associated with 5-fluorouracil & folinic acid in the treatment of colorectal cancer paper published in 1997, authored by CLARE DIKKEN RGN, Clinical Leader, JOHN SITZIA BA Researcher, Worthing Nursing Development Unit, Worthing.  Slept better with at least 3 hours and only one trip to the toilet. Side-effects  Neuropathy:  Hand-Foot Syndrome or Palmar-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia Breathlessness Unpleasant taste in mouth Mild headache Nausea Hiccoughs Dark urine Meds Anti-nausea B12 B6 Stero...