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.

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.

 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.

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.

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.

 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.

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

Consultation with Consultant Oncologist Dr Webb as the first chemotherapy course progress check and report. He asked if I had noticed any difference to the cancer issues since the previous appointment. I have noticed that the abdominal discomforts have disappeared.  He said that the baseline CT scan undertaken before the PICC line procedure in September showed that the cancers had grown. He said that the blood test taken after the second cycle showed a slightly lower CEA score. A good sign, but too early to take it as a permanent improvement. Further talked about lifestyle and diet to ensure a healthy ongoing recovery.  Added in the side-effects, neuropathy, and breathlessness. He indicated that the neuropathy is a hangover from the first chemotherapy course and the breathlessness is one of the common issues. The higher blood pressure is caused by the steroids. Overall, a good consultation. Side-effects feet Some irregular heartbeat indicated in blood pressure test some days i...

On 1st June I had a blood test that reveal a raised CEA marker. At an appointment with Clinical Cancer Nurse Sue Roberts, she told me that the CEA number was 15, up from 3 in January. A CT Scan was expedited undertaken at Southlands Hospital. At an appointment with Mr Baig, colorectal consultant I learnt that there were multiple peritoneal deposits. An appointment with Dr Webb, consultant oncologist followed on 21st July, and he ran through the scan images. Starting with the liver he showed that none of the deposits were affecting the organs. The 'deposits' shown on the scan were in the lower abdomen. Dr Webb said that there would be an optimal window that had not been reach from the information available in July. As he said the chemotherapy makes patients feel unwell for little benefit. A colonoscopy was next on 9th August and that showed a health colon with the resection scar that had healed very well. A blood test on 22nd August showed a further rise of the CEA marker, up to...

Another day of six capecitabine tablets along with three antinausea, antacid, two B6 (they really work on the tingling and the numbness at my fingertips) antihistamine and anti-loose poo. A much better night's sleep with just three trips to the loo. The excess flatulence is more controlled, and most of the other side effects are at a much lower level than they were in earlier cycles.  With five different supporting drugs I wonder what difference this may have made to the active chemotherapy drugs. Also there is the question of how long I may need to continue taking these support drugs to keep any of the longer-term challenges at bay as the active drugs begin to leave my body. Dr Webb indicated that the chemotherapy drugs are likely to remain active for six weeks beyond the end of the treatment. Research into the Oxaliplatin infusion indicates that the third half-life of the active drug is between eight and seventy-five months at a cellular level. Spoke with Neville, Peter, Ann, Cli...

 Much better night, up just once at around 4.30 am. Phone the Chemotherapy Helpline and spoke with Nurse Abbie who managed the first infusion on 4th November. Told her about my discovery that the capecitabine tablets non active ingredient, anhydrous lactose appears to be what is causing the flatulence that I have been suffering since the first cycle. I also flagged that my lips have been swollen during 4th cycle. She will email the consultant and put notes on the chemo care page for the team to be aware of my issue. Hopefully this will not cause a delay in treatment but will deliver a solution to the problem. Phoned Ray, had a good Christmas but hurt his back by picking up a box from his car boot. Also had a chat with Ann about her Christmas. She and her family visited Peter and had 2 hours with him. We talked about gifts and inheritance tax, the seven years rule.  Very tired, had a sleep during afternoon; unusual. BSC - 4

Weight at 7 am 12 stone 3 lbs: 171 lbs: 77.6 kg. Similar to two weeks ago when my weight in at the MDCU was 81kgs. Peter will collect me at 9 am for my 9.45 appointment at the MDCU. The unit is now on the 4th floor of the West Wing at Worthing Hospital in Eastbrook Ward.  Nurse Rachael managed the infusion today. The active drug in the Oxaplatin infusion is a dose of 165 mg in 500 ml of glucoses. This is the same dose as the previous three infusions. The drug does reflects the  body weight.band that patients fall into. My fully dressed 81 kg gives a drug need figure of 162 mg, so 165 mg is correct for today. My appointment with Dr Webb was very relaxed, the nurses had said that I am tolerating the treatment well. Asked about progress, to early to know when treating for “belt & braces” purposes and blood results all within the normal zones. I asked about how long the Oxaplatin active drug stays in the body, most has gone by 6 weeks. Blood tests and CT Scans will be the foll...

A final rest day before cycle 4 begins with the Oxaplatin infusion. A second appointment with Dr Webb, Consultant Oncologist I need to write a list of the questions that I have been formulating over the passed few weeks. Produced a list of 7 issues, but only need to ask about a couple Took 2 anti nausea tablets.  There is always Tinnitus! BSC - 4+3

Another 6 chemotherapy tablets today, 3 anti nausea and a vitamin B6 today. Certainly feeling more nausea from early morning today. Probably the result of too much bread yesterday.  A very little tingling on touch of either cold or hard contact. BSC - 5 Good conversation with Clive about preparing for the next Consultant appointment. He cautioned not to try to discover touch and get lost in the details aimed at clinicians. Need to discover more about longer term effects of the infusion.