My ever present friend and other health issues:

 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 expecta...

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.

Had a blood test on Monday with PICC line service. Discussed having a chest port to replace the PICC line, this would be installed under general anaesthetic as a day patient. I am now 9 months into the Folori infusion treatment programme having had seventeen cycles and this will continue as part of my palliative treatment. I agreed that the nurse should send in an email indicating that I wish to go ahead with this. The blood test was good as my neutrophil count was 2.0 so the infusion could go ahead. Had my 7th Covid-19 vaccination on Tuesday. Wednesday was a 2 pm appointment at the Amberly Unit for chemotherapy and was managed by nurse Racheal. Fell nauseous with pains in my abdomen. Crystallized ginger and ginger tea helped. With only one infusion during the past eight weeks it is not a surprise to have had some discomfort. The normal side effects are less worrying now. On Friday another appointment at Shoreham Medical Centre to have the pump removed, the 46 hour infusion was not qui...

Week commencing 5th June was busy. On Monday there was IAA Judging held at the former London Transport Head Office in Broadway, central London. Wednesday visited Peter H in Sussexdown, and found him to be the most alert and chatty this year. He had new hearing aids that seemed to have made a significant difference. Thursday met Dr Webb for a three monthly appointment. He revealed that the growth remains stable and the CEA blood marker has been at 3 for the two most recent tests. Good news indeed and the treatment continues. Another appointment in September. We did discuss neutrophils with him as well as the side effects. Taking collogen was positively acknowledged, but B12 for neuropathy was questioned. It seems there is not much evidence to support that it improves nerve recovery. After the consultation I had a PICC line flush and redress at the Amberley Unit. Friday, we drove to Frome and onto Exmouth on Saturday.

After my visit to the Emergency Floor on 24th/25th January my temperature has not peaked, and my breathlessness has improved. My recovery was sufficient to enable chemotherapy to be resumed on 13th February, Monday. Blood test and PICC line service on 10th February, Friday and pump return and PICC service on Wednesday 16th.  My next CT scan has been rebooked at Southlands for 24th February along with the next blood test on the same visit to Shoreham. It will be interesting to learn if the 5 weeks without a chemotherapy infusion has changed the secondary cancers when I have my next Oncologist appointment.

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.

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.

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.

 A quiet day with the 5FU pump, checking the speed of infusion I changed the position of the swan clip which indicated that there was a squeeze ckink in the line.  Slept better with at least 3 hours and only two trips the second at 6 am.  to the toilet. 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 Normal BP, pulse, temp and Blood oxygen 

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...

  Imaging date 16 Sep 2022 Source WEBB AR, University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (West) Report Clinical History : PICC line for chemo - CXR to confirm PICC tip position post placement Riskfactors : Previous history of any cancer Report : CTR, 132/326. Heart size and mediastinal contours appear normal. Tip of the right-sided PICC line overlies the distal SVC approximately 1.8cm below the level of the carina. Persistence of linear atelectasis within the left base. Lungs are otherwise clear and no pleural effusions are present. No evidence of pneumothorax demonstrated. Reported by John Mountney, Advanced Practitioner Radiographer. RA30033 'phone 01903 205111 Ex 85762. Voice recognition dictation.

Better night's sleep: only got up three times and returned to sleep until the final time. Spoke with Louise, Mike and Tim. Received letter for new consultant appointment for 15th December. Side-effects Worst day of this course so far Neuropathy - feet poor sleep excess urination, very yellow excessive passing of stools, but no constipation. breathlessness headache tired, lack of energy tinnitus rough sensation of palette pins and needles in fingers slight nosebleed PICC Line discomfort at time: issues with tubular bandage cover. Meds Calcium Anti-nauses B6 B12 Paracetamol use of trimovate use of Benzydamine mouthwash Normal BP, pulse, Temperature and blood oxygen

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

easy days Better nights sleeping Few side-effect Meds B12, B6 normal BP, pulse, Temp and blood oxygen Visit to Bognor War Memorial Hospital for Blood Test and OICC Line service: Nurse Ruth

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.