My ever present friend and other health issues:

Had my quarterly CT Scan at Southlands Hospital's new Community Diagnostic Centre yesterday. The scan required a contrast dye to reveal the cancerous growths and Omnipaque was used. This was the same chemical as the previous scan in August. On this occasion I seemed to have a reaction with heightened feeling of warming, sneezing during the scan, sudden runny nose and irritated eyes. This has not happened during past scans.  Because of the mid-scan sneeze a second scan was done. Unlike previous CT Scans I was allowed to leave the hospital without the usual 15 minute wait to ensure that I did not have any side effect. Odd. Will discuss with my consultant at the next appointment.

 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.

 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.

 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.

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...

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.

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.

 Normal days, side-effects at a low level with even a full night's sleep on one night and only once a night need to use toilet. Easier. Blood test on Monday at Shoreham. Side- effect neuropathy of feet and fingertips. Medications base level Talked with may friends since day 9 and the oncologist appointment.

Best night's sleep for a few week's, around 5 hours and only up once. Not so concerned about the comments about the all of life treatment that the oncologist described yesterday. Conversations with Peter B-D, Charles A and Graham M all helped to put the falling CEA blood marker and stable cancer growth into perspective. It is success. Side-effects reduce to rest day normality.  Neuropathy - feet and finger tips tongue a little sore slight breathlessness Meds Anti-nausea B12 B6 Anti-acid reflux Calcium Paracetamol Observations normal BP, pulse, temp 37.7c and Blood oxygen  Phone calls with Peter, Charles, Graham, Jack and Luthfa.

Visit to Peter with Ann followed dentist and opticians. New specs are very good. Side-effects Woke up with numb right thigh again. weird, again. Neuropathy:  Hand-Foot Syndrome or Palmar-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia Breathlessness ongoing ulcer on left side of mouth roof. improving with Bonjela Lemon urine. Wind! Meds Anti-nausea B12 B6 Anti-acid reflux Calcium Paracetamol Observations normal BP, pulse, temp 37.7c and Blood oxygen  Phone conversations with Ann, Amanda and Mike.

Super Tuesday: a day of many side-effects as the past couple. A trip to Chichester for Lynda's podiatrist.  Side-effects Woke up with numb right thigh again. weird! Neuropathy:  Hand-Foot Syndrome or Palmar-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia Breathlessness ongoing ulcer on left side of mouth roof. improving with Bonjela Mild constipation, improving Lemon yellow urine  Wind! Meds Anti-nausea B12 B6 Anti-acid reflux Calcium Paracetamol Observations normal BP, pulse, temp 37.7c and Blood oxygen 

Monday, up three time during night but slept in between. Cold weather gain. Side-effects Woke up with numb right thigh again. weird! Neuropathy:  Hand-Foot Syndrome or Palmar-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia Breathlessness ongoing ulcer on left side of mouth roof. improving with Bonjela Mild constipation, improving Dark urine early. Wind! Meds Anti-nausea B12 B6 Anti-acid reflux Calcium Paracetamol Observations normal BP, pulse, temp 37.7c and Blood oxygen  Phone conversations with Louise, Luthfa, Emma, Roger C and Ann H..

Sunday, slept better and its cold! Side-effects  Neuropathy:  Hand-Foot Syndrome or Palmar-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia Breathlessness ongoing ulcer on left side of mouth roof. Nausea Dark urine Mild constipation Meds Anti-nausea B12 B6 Anti-acid reflux Calcium Paracetamol Observations Raised BP, pulse, temp 37.7c and lower Blood oxygen  Phone conversations with Emma and Graham H.

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 

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  

A trip to visit Emma and then to go to Ivan Philpott's celebratory lunch went well. Wonderful to meet the wider Philpott family. Concorde was also interesting to visit and view. Drove back from Frome on Monday and arrived at Bognor War Memorial Hospital with 30 minutes to spare. Blood test with two forms, two vails taken. New prescription IV-3000 dressings used. Tuesday appointment for CT Scan, Fraser used the PICC Line to infuse dye. Covid-19 test result showed negative again. Side-effects  Neuropathy Tinnitus Meds Anti-nausea B12 B6 Anti-acid reflux Calcium Paracetamol Observations Normal temp, pulse and blood oxygen Raised blood pressure.

Reasonable night's sleep, up twice. Walked to Asda with Emma, chilly so used heated inner gloves for the first time this winter, toasty on the medium setting. Side-effects  Neuropathy Some breathlessness Tinnitus Meds Anti-nausea B12 B6 Anti-acid reflux Calcium Paracetamol Observations Normal temp.