My ever present friend and other health issues:

Normal temperature again today. The pump working at it optimum 2.5 ml per hour. Normal side-effects probable thrush  sore eyes Medication evolve eye drops Gelclaire and regular meds from previous cycles. usual high blood pressure and pulse rate normal temperature and blood oxygen

 A relatively quiet day., Side-effects Feeling of nausea neuropathy tinnitus poor sleep Meds anti-nausea steroid calcium Observations slightly high 

Cycle 8 infusion was managed by Jackie, the nurse who fitter the PICC Line in September. When I told her about the nature of the ongoing treatment, she suggested that I should look into what Mcmillan Cancer Care for   implantable port information.  Something to look research before my next oncologist appoint in March. The infusion was over 90 minutes in the new Amberley Ward on the ground floor of the North Wing at Worthing Hospital. Side-effects Feeling of nausea Neuropathy Tinnitus Meds Anti-nausea Steriods Observation All normal.

Saturday, winter remains with us so cold outside. Spoke with Emma about papers on Irinotecin. Side-effects  Neuropathy:  Hand-Foot Syndrome or Palmar-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia Breathlessness ongoing ulcer on left side of mouth roof. Mild constipation Nausea Dark urine Slept better just up twice for the bathroom visits the second at around 6 am. Meds Anti-nausea last of the post infusion does B12 B6 Steroids last of the post infusion does Anti-acid reflux Calcium Paracetamol Observations Normal BP, pulse, temp 37.4c and Blood oxygen  Phone conversations with Emma and Amanda.

The infusion was manged by Sharon, a vegan who talked about issues with milk. She also said that she had been a midwife, then ran a gift shop before returning to nursing. The 60 minutes infusion was to fast cause pains in my abdomen. side-effects nausea mild headache mild constipation neuropathy Poor sleep. meds anti-nausea anti-acid reflux calcium B6 B12 normal bp, temp., and blood oxygen Raised pulse  

6 cycles in, halfway through this course of chemotherapy, I am feeling so much better that at the end of the first course in February. On reflection I was quite unwell for several weeks in February, March and April. Side-effects  Neuropathy:  Hand-Foot Syndrome or Palmar-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia Breathlessness Unpleasant taste in mouth Nausea Dark urine Mild constipation Disturbed sleep . Meds Anti-nausea B12 B6 Steroids Anti-acid reflux Calcium Paracetamol Observations Raise BP and pulse. normal Blood oxygen and temp.

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...

Issue with the infusion pump, only half the normal rate of 5Fu being initially achieved. Phone the chemotherapy helpline and spoke to Nurse Sarah. She advised moving the Swan Clip to see if there was a kink in the line, there was and there was. Moving the clip brought a normal flow of around 5ml per hour. Meds Anti-nausea B12 B6 Steroids Anti-acid reflux Side-effects Neuropathy Constipation Raise BP, pulse and temp. normal Blood oxygen 

Chemotherapy at Worthing Hospital MDCU. Talked with Nurse Sarah about ginger tea. The infusion was managed by Nurse Selina for the second time. No issues with infusion, but took a little longer that optimal due to shortage of staff. Peter and Jo took and collected me. Meds  B12 B6 anti- nausea Side-effects Neurapathy Nausea Normal BP at home, high at the hospital, Normal pulse, Temp and Blood oxygen

Spoke to Ian at the MDCU to change my appointment for 9th November; now 2pm to match up with Peter B-D's outpatient appointment at 3.45pm. Ian gave me his colleagues contact details who deals with chemotherapy patients. Side-effects  Roughness in mouth. poor sleep neuropathy mild constipation dark urine some breathlessness Medications calcium anti acid reflux Blood pressure ok tempurature ok blood oxyen 98 pulse ok

Peter took me to the fourth visit to the Worthing Hospital chemotherapy suite.  Again at 9:45am went by without event. The  irinotecan  was infused over 90 minutes with some feelings nausea but less than the previous time. Nurse Cynthia managed my treatment in suite 2. Was discharged at 12:10 pm. side-effect Constipation - mild Sweating - Excessive Erratic temperature between 37.5c to 35.1 - coolest when sweating Raided blood pressure. Blood oxygen erratic Acid reflux Poor sleeping  Nausea Peripheral neuropathy - ongoing Slight Hair loss - evidenced when showering and on hair brush. Medications Steroids Anti-nausea Ant-acid reflux Calcuim B6 B12 LimbO working well in shower protecting PICC Line site from getting wet. Day three included a trip to Shoreham Health Centre for a PICC Line service, removal of the 5FU pump and line, line flush and redress. Again, the service was undertaken by Nurse Catherine. Nicely done again.

Covid-10 and flu vaccination day. Having spoken to the chemotherapy helpline about being vaccinated and gaining a positive reaction having both, the safety of having a jab in my PICC Line arm, and the timing before the next infusion I was told by the chemotherapy helpline was perfect. The side effects 24 hours after the jabs was a temperature that was raised to 38.1c at the highest taken and 35.4c at the lowest. Also pain in both vaccination sites, headache and feeling less than well. A phone call to the chemotherapy helpline as per the protocol gave comfort that drinking plenty of fluids and observing temperature was adequate and a further call if my temperature remained above 37.5c. 48 hours on from the jabs and the side effects had subsided significantly.

 Side effects and challenges Phone the Worthing Hospital Chemotherapy Helpline about having the Covid-19 and flu vaccinations this coming Saturday. A very positive yes about this. Injection in my right arm with the PICC Line raises no issues and timing is good for the next cycle starting on the following Wednesday. Breathlessness.  My level of breathlessness has been higher for the first 5 days of this cycle compared to the first. Anaemia is a cause of this with some patients undergoing chemotherapy, but my blood results continue to be very good. Folfiri does cause breathlessness in some patients, I am likely to be in that group. Frequent Urination and its dark colour. Another known side effect. Something to mention during the next infusion appointment. Potential concern would be if the is any burning sensation or pain during urination. A urine test may be done. Other issues include constipation, unpleasant oral taste, raised blood pressure during first few days of cycle and a...

6 more capecitabine, 3 anti nausea, loperamide,  a B6 and claratyn. Feeling of nausea to the fore. Some tingling in feet and hands after shower. Flatulence, soft pooand sore behind, continuing to use medi honey. Phoned MDCU and had a conversation with first Chris who listen to my concerns about having a reaction to the anhydrous lactose in the capecitabine tablets. We discussed to use of Claratyn anti histamine to reduce the risks of an allergic reaction. She contacted Dr Webb who, nurse Grace who I spoke with last week said would be happy with me taking one per day. To report any further issues over the next 20 days of treatment.  BSC - 5

7.45 am pick up by the wonderful Peter for my 8.30 am infusion appointment. I was called first anchose a window seat on a very dull day The Oxaplatin infusion was preceded by a shot steroid a usual and several others including portion antihistamine. The infusion was made in my left arm and it cause a higher level of pain that the previous 4. Given a dextrose drip for 25 minutes to help reduce the discomfort. Discharged with mor3 discomfort than softer the other infusions.  The other concern was a second raised blood pressure reading at 178 over 86, while less that two weeks ago it is substantial higher that at any reading since the start of the treatment. Apart from the one after the allergic reaction when an inpatient. A home blood pressure device was suggested by chemotherapy nurse.  BSC - 4 Raised Pulse rate, 120 BPM

Tired during the day after a reasonable night.  Blood test with an urgent number from the MDCU. The receptionist checked to see if there were ant cancellations for later appointments, but no. She also provided a parking permit for Peter. Peter as a very good driver once again, a very good friend. BSC - 4

Today the third cycle starts with the infusion of the  Oxaliplatin element of the capox treatment. Today I was cared for by Nurse Holly. The infusion was a little more challenging today. Feelings of nausea.  The next visit to the MDCU will be to it new temporary home in Eastbrook Ward on the 4th floor of the West Wing. The current MDCU is go to be rebuilt over the next year.  The teeth discomfort side effect stuck when while eating a biscuit while being infused. Is this an indicator of more side effects this time round. BSC - 4

A phone call from the Chemotherapy unit at Worthing Hospital to enquire if I am well enough to start cycle 3 tomorrow. This call was a follow up from the enquiry that I made last week regarding tingling in my hands and vitamin B6. Caring. The nurse told me that my Covid test and bloods were good.  I need to ask about how the levels of drugs the are not excreted assessed. Also if Eumovate cream is safe use.  Feeling light head and slightly nauseous today. Ginger beer helps. BSC - 4