Chemo Treatment

Hi all,

Have been real busy since my last post with work and resting my tired ass.

First lot of chemo went really well until 2 days later.
Had a lot of stomach and loose BM all weekend and part way thru the week.
I found sleep in some instances was near impossible and ended up going for a long walk to
Monaco to get the pain to subside.
Managed to get a few hours sleep after painkillers and drifting off to sleep after walking.
Ended up going to the doctor and we put a plan together for regular pain management treatment.
(As well as another blood test)

The last two weeks have been really good, hardly any pain and gaining an appetite. (Yay!!)
Have now been working fours a day measuring, getting work done in Christchurch and looking after my customers. I have found this really therapeutic as I'm concentrating on something other than the cancer I have.

Huge thanks to my employers, Steel & Tube for putting in a massive effort to keep me employed, I am truly grateful.

Had my second round of chemo today, which went really well s I listened to music on my phone and chatted to other patients going through the same as myself. I am really humbled with these people enduring the similar condition and circumstances.
I talked to a guy with his wife who having his first-time treatment. Gave him a few pointers of what he might expect when he went home.
It was awesome talking and sharing humour with these people, it makes you appreciate life a lot more.

The nurses/volunteers in the Oncology Dept are absolutely awesome. The job they do is beyond words and I'm delighted to have the pleasure of meeting them.
The head nurse thinks I am trouble, I am cheeky and cracking jokes not to mention I arrived an hour late. (Got the times mixed up)
Told her I had trouble with the Nelson drivers doing u-turns in front of me then couldn't find a park at the hospital.
Went to the toilet and a nurse asked where I had been, told her I ducked outside for ciggy. She said yeah right, I would be able to smell it on you.

So during the last two weeks, it's been a matter of fine tuning meds, eating more so I can handle this round of treatment. Will make for an next interesting three weeks ...

After chemo, you feel your stomach is full and don't feel like eating.
Teen made a simple meal like finger food and bugger me, had quite a bit to eat.
Surprised myself as I didn't think I could do it.

Enough rambling from me ..... till next time.

Progress

Spent most of the day running around with appointments to keep.

First appointment was for a blood test (Which I passed)
Seems like half of Nelson were having the same test this morning
judging by the amount of people waiting.

Second was for a chest x-ray so the Oncologist could check out if my lungs were clear.
And they are ...

Was amused when after the frontal shot, the radiographer wanted another go this time
with ball-bearings taped to my nipples.
I thought that was strange.
I think this was to let the Oncologist know that these weren't twin growths on my lungs when viewing the x-ray.

Had to go for a coffee and some food as I hadn't eaten since 11 pm the night before.

Third appointment was with Oncologist to confirm my chemo treatment.
He was keen to get this started as soon as possible so made a phone call down to out-patients.
The result is I'm to start treatment this Wednesday 6th November.
We discussed the first stage which will be intraveneous fluid then a course of pills for a couple of weeks.
We discussed the possible side effects and had a script for drugs to combat any I may have.

My guess is that I'll be taking up to 15 pills a day.
Really going to rattle when I walk ....
Won't be able to sneak up on anyone now ....

Last appointment for the day was with the dietician  to discuss food I should be eating.
Went through a list of favourable and compatible foods suited for weight gain.
Teen had a list that was provided by the oncology nurse,
so we were on track now for a couple of weeks.
Am pretty concerned as I have lost near 35 kgs in a year and a half.

Apparently the metallic taste I get when faced with processed food will
decline in the next four to six months. I can't wait ....

A now the apprehension starts ...

What is going to be like ?
Will I be the same again ?
How crook am I going to get ?
Is this going to knock the cancer for a six ?

Don't mind admitting that I'm a little scared ...