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 ...

 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...

In July 2021 I had a colonoscopy that revealed I had developed a cancerous tumour in my large intestine. It was in the descending part near to the the sigmoid colon. The cancer was removed during a successful operation at Worthing Hospital in August 2021 with consultant surgeon,  Mr Mirza Baig leading the team. I recovered well after the operation and was discharged after 5 nights.

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.

 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.

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.

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.

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.

My temperature spiked at around 10 pm at 39.5 c (103 f). A phone call to the chemo helpline brought an invitation to go to the Emergency Floor at Worthing Hospital. Arrived before 11 pm. and was eventually moved to the Consulting Room. Observations were taken and Blood Test were taken with a cannula. I received an antibiotic by infusion and then there was a long wait for all the blood results. Solium had fall since last week's blood test. I also provided a urine test. An ECG was undertaken and then a chest X-Ray. Also, the doctor that was in charge of my case undertook a thorough examination. His conclusion was that I could be discharged and that happened at around 4;15 am, Arrow Taxis provide a car, and we were home before 5:00 am. The diagnosis was not Sepsis but a chest infection. A course of Co-Amoxiclav was prescribed. The advice of the doctor was not to proceed with the Root Canal treatment until I am clear of the infection and after I have seen the Oncologist in March. At 5p...

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.

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...

Ct scan A CT scan on 7th September revealed that the cancers had grown since the June scan. Imaging date 21 Jun 2022 Source Mr Steven Denham Report Revealed multiple peritoneal deposits.

  Colonoscopy Imaging date 09 Aug 2022 Source Mr Steven Denham Report Endoscopic examination showed a healthy colon.