tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128390312024-03-07T22:59:49.577+00:00Life on the tubeyorkshiregothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800566281927019159noreply@blogger.comBlogger141125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12839031.post-40692532422213581062013-05-23T11:26:00.001+01:002013-05-23T11:26:20.801+01:00Post-ChemoHad my intra-thecal chemotherapy on Tuesday. I arrived in the hospital at 09:00am. The procedure didn't start until 14:00 and I was discharged from the hospital at 16:30.
Been feeling really sick since the chemo and I am suffering from really bad back ache which pain killers don't seem to be helping. Some of my blood counts indicated raised liver functions, so I have to go back on Tuesday to have more blood tests. The consultant thinks it's probably just some toxicity from the chemotherapy.yorkshiregothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800566281927019159noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12839031.post-83862198811399990622013-05-20T17:51:00.001+01:002013-05-20T17:51:51.053+01:00Chemo tomorrowI have my next dose of intra-thecal chemotherapy tomorrow at Hammersmith hospital. If things go to plan, I will drop my two youngest kids off at school and then make my way to the hospital. The procedure only takes about 30 minutes, but it always take at least 6 or 7 hours waiting around for the pharmacy (which is now a private company) to dispense the Cytarabine and another long length of time for a qualified doctor to administer the chemotherapy. After it has been done I have to lie flat for at least two hours to try and prevent headaches and back ache.
I am currently at work until 23:00 hours tonight so I should hopefully get home around midnight. It's pretty quiet at work which is unusual for a Monday evening peak rush hours so fingers crossed it stays that way.yorkshiregothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800566281927019159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12839031.post-7231926182483810832013-05-18T11:18:00.003+01:002013-05-18T11:18:48.913+01:00Day offJust finished working eight consecutive early shifts yesterday when I have to get up at 04:30 every day to get ready for work. It has been a very busy week, loads of tourists on my station getting confused and lots of asset equipment failures that I had to deal with. I am off today which will probably be spent catching up on the housework and cooking for the kids. My wife has been invited to a friends wedding so it's just me and the kids.
Back at work tomorrow on a late shift (15:00 - 23:00) for the next two days, then back to hospital for more chemotherapy.yorkshiregothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800566281927019159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12839031.post-46579191090346256632013-05-10T10:18:00.001+01:002013-05-10T10:18:37.143+01:00Hi againJust recovering from my last bout of chemo which was administered last Tuesday. My white blood counts are still very low so I am still prone to catching infections but my cancer is still in remission although I haven't had a biopsy for some time.
Since my chemo my beard has slowly started to fall out again which is a quite a bit quicker than previous episodes.
My next chemo is on 21 May for intra-thecal where they have to inject the chemo into my spine to reduce the chance of the cancer coming into my brain.yorkshiregothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800566281927019159noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12839031.post-61004838659553713402013-02-17T04:17:00.002+00:002013-02-17T04:17:45.829+00:00BoredOn my last night shift and I am so bored. No contractors, finsihed all my paperwork and reports for the week.
Have to try and get my sleeping cycle back to normal by tomorrow when I get home at about 08:00 as I have more chemotherapy at Hammersmith hospital.yorkshiregothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800566281927019159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12839031.post-67154825002759345542013-02-15T03:43:00.000+00:002013-02-15T03:43:40.207+00:00Back to workI resumed to full duties about 4 months ago after being given the all clear by our occupational health department. Sometimes, I don't think I was fully ready to resume full duties due to how easily tired I get by never mind.
I am on night shifts this week, my first nights for nearly 2 years as I normally swap them with a colleague who prefers nights but he is out of the country so I'm stuck with them. Loads of contractors on site pestering me every 5 minutes for keys, water, directions and various other annoying things ;)
My next hospital visit for more chemo is on Monday so hopefully all will go well.yorkshiregothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800566281927019159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12839031.post-37930234136410896172012-09-02T16:09:00.001+01:002012-09-02T16:09:56.130+01:00CNS TherapyFour days into the cranial radiotherapy, 8 doses to go. Also on weekly intrathecal chemotherapy wherein they inject cytarabin into my spine. Unfortunately, the cytarabin causes me lots of nausea and vomiting. Nothing much else happening aside from having some kind of panic attack in my local Tescos but the staff there looked after me until I calmed down so kudos to them.yorkshiregothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800566281927019159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12839031.post-68336126039592495542012-08-17T12:44:00.000+01:002012-08-17T12:44:12.743+01:00Admitted againCame into hospital last Monday for a full blood count and to get me dressing changed on my cannula. After getting the results the nurse asked me to wait and speak to the doctor. I had a feeling what they were going to say so I phoned my wife and asked her to prepare a bag of the usual clothes, undergarments and toiletries.
They removed ny PICC line cannula yesterday so I will have to have a new one put in before my next round of chemotherapy. Once I am discharged I have a short break from treatment until the 28th when I have to endure 12 days of cranial radiotherapy and four sessions of intra-thecal chemotherapy into my spine. yorkshiregothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800566281927019159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12839031.post-61305255598696981152012-07-13T22:32:00.000+01:002012-07-13T22:32:24.674+01:00outpatientHopefully I have finished the inpatient part of my treatment and should now be all outpatient chemotherapy barring any unforseen complications. I have an appointment with my consultant in about 10 days followed by four consecutive days of cytarabin, three rest days then another four consecutive days of cytarabin.<br />
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I think after that they are considering performing a week of cranial radiotherapy.<br />
<br />yorkshiregothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800566281927019159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12839031.post-30660354859075506172012-06-17T15:07:00.006+01:002012-06-17T15:07:56.950+01:00Busy WeekHave a full schedule next week. <br />
Monday - work. <br />
Tuesday - appointment at my works occupational health department for a risk assessment. <br />
Wednesday - work and dental appointment,<br />
Thursday - chemotherapy treatment. <br />
Friday - physiotherapy assessment at Charing Cross hospital with NCS & EMG test.yorkshiregothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800566281927019159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12839031.post-83451350667922707122012-06-12T16:53:00.000+01:002012-06-12T16:54:25.175+01:00Back to workI started work yesterday resuming to light duties, just doing about 3 hours a day, 4-5 days a week initially and then gradually increasing the hours. For the next couple of weeks I will be involved with Olympic and Paralympic planning and operational issues and passing on the relevant information to my colleagues.<br />
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To be honest, I don't think I am ready to start work again as I still have loads of chemo to go and still get episodes of sickness and weakness, but as my kind and considerate HR department stopped my SSP, I didn't have much choice :(yorkshiregothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800566281927019159noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12839031.post-88580955006721976122012-05-25T14:44:00.001+01:002012-05-25T14:44:26.682+01:00Another infectionStarted work on Wednesday which was good. After work I had to go the the hospital to have a GCSF injection as I am once again neutropenic.<br />
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Whilst in the hospital I started spiking a temperature above 39 so I have been admitted again. It turns out I have parainfluenza so I have been put on another course of antibiotics and also a nebuliser three times a day.yorkshiregothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800566281927019159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12839031.post-61485081154534390432012-05-08T16:51:00.001+01:002012-05-08T16:51:44.032+01:00Back againHad to be readmitted as an emergency again on Friday morning. I was spiking temperatures at home of 38.7 so after speaking to NHS direct they advised me to get to A&E sharpish. After they took bloods I was also neutropenic again and had a CRP of +70.<br />
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I have been put on another course of antibiotics to hopefully get rid of the infection. Chemo has been delayed again but as my blood counts are a little higher today they may start the chemo tomorrow.yorkshiregothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800566281927019159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12839031.post-87344659659963881232012-05-01T05:32:00.001+01:002012-05-01T05:32:42.489+01:00Chemo delayedWent to hospital yesterday for my next batch of chemo but they have decided to delay it until next Tuesday as my blood counts were too low. They installed a fresh PICC line and performed a bone marrow biopsy though. I have to return later today also for 2 units of blood to help get my blood counts back up for next week.<br />
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In the evening my legs gave way again and I fell on my cheek. Lovely bruise developing.yorkshiregothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800566281927019159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12839031.post-81837234517436428982012-04-28T09:12:00.003+01:002012-04-28T09:12:50.833+01:00Things gone awryHealth wise I am in a pretty bad state. What I assume to have bene caused by long-term use of high dose steroids has pretty much destroyed all the muscle strength in my legs. My legs keep giving way, it takes me five minutes to get out of bed and I am only to walk a few steps at the time with the aid of a crutch. The symptoms came in within days so it's a huge shock to the system.<br />
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I am due back on Monday to have a new PICC line inserted and to receive 10 lots of chemotherapy over five days. As well as to have another bone marrow biopsy.yorkshiregothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800566281927019159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12839031.post-22265405365233552462012-04-14T06:39:00.002+01:002012-04-14T06:49:20.309+01:00OuchYesterday was a fairly intensive one. In the morning the doctors were preparing to discharge me and to return on Monday. However, they then decided that I had to have my Hickman Line removed as that is more than likely the cause of my infection, and that I should be kept inside.<div><br /></div><div>Normally it is a quite easy procedure and takes about 20 minutes. In my case however it took nearly 90 minutes as it had been in for sometime and it was rather attached to my body. Loads of blood over the bed and lots of discomfit.</div><div><br /></div><div>Later on the doctor had to return to insert a cannula so I can continue to receive my antibiotics whilst I am still here. The cannula managed to leak during the night so a wee bit more blood splashed around for ones amusement.</div><div><br /></div><div>They said they are going to insert a new Hickman Line early next week so I can continue to receive my chemotherapy as the chemo drugs are not suitable to be administered via a cannula due to their toxicity.</div>yorkshiregothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800566281927019159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12839031.post-23190797468355577462012-04-11T16:23:00.001+01:002012-04-11T16:25:23.629+01:00Emergency admissionBeen spending a fair bit of time travelling back and forth to the hospital over the past few days. Yesterday, they decided to admit be as an emergency due to very high temperature, completely<div> neutropenic and a very probable chest and urine infection.</div>yorkshiregothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800566281927019159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12839031.post-4642098222666429072012-04-04T15:30:00.002+01:002012-04-04T15:34:46.981+01:00Bad sicknessBeen having to take loads of anti-sickness meds recently due to constant feeling of nausea and vomiting. I am currently on 3 different anti-emetics: cyclizine, ondansetron and also domperidone. Neither of which seem to be having the desired effect, rather just seem to cause more side effects.yorkshiregothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800566281927019159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12839031.post-36330129901651534512012-03-26T20:06:00.001+01:002012-03-26T20:08:05.805+01:00Consolidation 1Back in Hammersmith hospital - ward D7 for consolidation treatment part one which should be 5 days of intensive chemotherapy followed by once weekly chemotherapy for 4 weeks.yorkshiregothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800566281927019159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12839031.post-49569882912247208062012-03-19T19:50:00.002+00:002012-03-19T19:52:19.808+00:00BMBHad my umpteenth bone marrow biopsy today after seeing my consultant. More painful than the previous ones so spending the rest of the day resting.<div><br /></div><div>Have to be re-admitted again on Sunday for the next stage of chemotherapy which should only be for about a week as an in-patient and then return once a week for four weeks for more chemotherapy.</div>yorkshiregothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800566281927019159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12839031.post-62530530063062528132012-02-29T17:20:00.002+00:002012-02-29T17:27:09.403+00:00Almost thereComing to the end of the third cycle of chemotherapy. Had a few complications one of which necessitated a day trip to Western Eye Hospital where they said that the most probable cause of my eye problem was leukaemia cells pushing my eyeball down. Thankfully, it seems that wasn't the case. The doctors aren't sure what the problem was but it has healed up so no worries there. I also had some kind of reaction to one of the chemotherapy drugs called <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">L'asparaginase</span> which is injected into your butt. Very painful injection and I had difficulty walking and getting around for a few days but that problem is getting better.<div><br /></div><div>Now it seems the doctors are just monitoring my blood etc and I hope to be going home for a couple of weeks in the not too distant future.</div>yorkshiregothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800566281927019159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12839031.post-90833045174356082022012-02-05T12:07:00.002+00:002012-02-05T12:14:14.972+00:00Round ThreeBeen back in hospital for round three of the chemotherapy treatment. I had another bone marrow biopsy a week last Monday and the doctors are happy with the results and it looks clear of cancer cells.<div><br /></div><div>The chemotherapy drug they are using this time round is a drug called Methotrexate at a very high dosage. Before, during and for at least 72 hours afterwards they also give me loads of fluid via the drip, at least 6 litres a day to help flush out the Methotrexate so plenty visits to the loo. The urine is checked for it's acidity and the PH level in order to prevent any damage to my kidneys. They also take extra blood samples every day and send them off to Great Ormond Street Hospital for testing the level of Methotrexate in my system.</div><div><br /></div><div>Once the levels of the drug have reduced adequately then they will give me the next dose and it all starts again.</div><div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately, my elder sibling who got himself tested to be a potential bone marrow donor isn't a close enough match so at the moment the doctors are seeing how the chemotherapy goes before they start to look for potential non-related donors on the global database as they say the risks outweigh the benefits.</div>yorkshiregothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800566281927019159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12839031.post-50544488605018002012-01-11T08:19:00.003+00:002012-01-11T08:25:58.422+00:00Last day of chemoToday should be the last day of chemotherapy for this particular phase, so once my blood counts go back up (especially the white blood count and Neutrophines) I will by the grace of God be allowed to go home to prepare for the next phase of chemotherapy which is called intensifiction which just by the name alone sounds quite daunting.<div><br /></div><div>I will also have to wait for my temperature to come down and stay down, it spiked at 40.1 last night although this was during receiving blood. I hope to have a word with the hospital admin today as everything they have given me either fluids or blood products such as blood, platelets or plasma it has always been very very late so you are constantly getting disturbed during the night which is of course not exactly conducive to rest and relaxation which is just as important in getting better as all the drugs and testing etc.</div>yorkshiregothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800566281927019159noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12839031.post-83788149073164832682012-01-04T19:02:00.001+00:002012-01-04T19:02:12.683+00:00NeutropenicMy blood counts have been dropping gradually day by day. My red blood counts keep dropping below 8.0 so they keep giving me blood. My platelets keep dropping below 50 so they have to give me platelets and the Neutrophils within the White blood cells have dropped below 0.5 so I am now Neutropenic. I have to wear a mask if I leave the room and not because I might scare people :) and I am on a 'clean' diet so no take aways, no soft cheese, no raw vegetables or salad etc etc. <br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Du%20Cane%20Rd,,United%20Kingdom%4051.516775%2C-0.231378&z=10'>Du Cane Rd,,United Kingdom</a></p>yorkshiregothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800566281927019159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12839031.post-12014540052282223842011-12-30T15:52:00.001+00:002011-12-30T15:52:39.078+00:00InfectionThe doctors think I have an infection as my temperature which is taken about every 2 hours has so far reached 37.9. To combat this I am now hooked up to the hated IV pump machine thingy and getting some penicillin. <br />The chemotherapy drugs are still taking a toll on me. Haven't eaten anything since Tuesday afternoon so they are considering feeding me intravenously throughout the night. <br />Other than the Mrs who has been great, nobody has bothered to visit me from my family, friends or colleagues so feeling pretty unloved and unwanted. <img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/e/58383.gif' border='0' align='left' /><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/e/58380.gif' border='0' align='left' /><br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Du%20Cane%20Rd,,United%20Kingdom%4051.516785%2C-0.232086&z=10'>Du Cane Rd,,United Kingdom</a></p>yorkshiregothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800566281927019159noreply@blogger.com1