Olga took me for the usual short walk to the end of the cul desac for a breath of fresh airand to prove to myself Ican still walk.just as we got to theend of the road I felt my knees buckle under me. Olga's supporting arm and my stickstopped me falling to the ground. It looks as if it is time to consider a wheelchairor a mobility scooter. I was hoping it would not come to this as no oone that I know of who had the same type of tumour survivedfor long after going in a wheelchair.
It may not be apparent but Iam still having considerable difficulty using the computer. I have to correct nearly every characterI type. Nowadays Olga has to do my online jobs such as internet banking. Blogging and answering email arenn't important enough to get this special treatment I'm afraid.I've had to give uup my other blog.The same visual problems have put paid to the other activities I used to amuse myself with. It's just darned frustrating.All I am good for is watching TV and listening to the radio
Showing posts with label Progress. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Progress. Show all posts
17 December - the best Christmas present
Yesterday we called the hospital to see if we could get the results of my MRI scan. We were told that the scan needed to be discussed with doctors in Newcastle. We thought that probably wouldn't happen until the new year now so we resigned ourselves to having to be patient. But this afternoon I received a call from the consultant oncologist in Carlisle. He informed me that the result was much better. No new growth of the tumour!
As you may guess I am pretty pleased about that. The news is the best Christmas present I could have wished for.
Happy Christmas!
As you may guess I am pretty pleased about that. The news is the best Christmas present I could have wished for.
Happy Christmas!
13 November - A physiotherapist calls
The physiotherapist visited this afternoon: a nice young lady called Debbie. After assessing me she has left us with a couple of easy exercises which she hopes will improve my balance - and my walking. Because of my vision problem I am instinctively wlking with a stoop in order to see where my feet are going. This very quickly results in back pain. So I hope this can be cured. It would ber nice to get my vision back yo mormal too, though I am not optimistic. Typing requires extra care to avoid mistakes, which is annoying.
One of Debbie's colleagues will visit us at home because of my difficulty accessing public transport. I can't help heep on being impressed at the service provided by our National Health Service.
One of Debbie's colleagues will visit us at home because of my difficulty accessing public transport. I can't help heep on being impressed at the service provided by our National Health Service.
27 September - MRI results
GP appointment this morning, and the results of my MRI scan are in. My tumour has increased in size since January but the more accurate MRI scan gives a better picture of what has happened. There is a lot of swelling (oedema) in the area of the tumour which makes it look bigger than it is. This is quite common with brain tumours, apparently. The brain does not have an effective way to get rid of dead tumour cells. So some of the apparent increase could be a result of the treatment.
I was impressed with the IT systems that our NHS has and the way it allows all the doctors involved - including our GP - to be kept up to date on what is happening. My case is going to be discussed by a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) consisting of neurologist, oncologist, surgeon and anyone else who might have an input to it, from 3 different hospitals. It appears that this is due to happen some time at the beginning of October. Until then we just have to be patient.
In the meantime I will carry on with the steroids. I'm quite happy with the way I'm feeling at the moment. Even the taxi driver taking us to the surgery said I'm looking well. Apart from the balance problem whilst walking - which discourages me from taking much exercise - I think I'm doing quite well. I am becoming a bit of a couch potato and spend most of my time sitting in my recliner listening to classical music via internet radio. It could be a lot worse.
For the time being I've given up hope of ever having my driving licence reinstated. Olga has given up driving lessons as well. She was finding learning to drive too stressful on top of worrying about my health. Sometimes she didn't sleep at night and then had to try to drive in the morning. So I think we'll just have to stay a no-car family. The thing to be thankful for is that I still have mobility - even if not perfect mobility - on my own two feet.
I was impressed with the IT systems that our NHS has and the way it allows all the doctors involved - including our GP - to be kept up to date on what is happening. My case is going to be discussed by a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) consisting of neurologist, oncologist, surgeon and anyone else who might have an input to it, from 3 different hospitals. It appears that this is due to happen some time at the beginning of October. Until then we just have to be patient.
In the meantime I will carry on with the steroids. I'm quite happy with the way I'm feeling at the moment. Even the taxi driver taking us to the surgery said I'm looking well. Apart from the balance problem whilst walking - which discourages me from taking much exercise - I think I'm doing quite well. I am becoming a bit of a couch potato and spend most of my time sitting in my recliner listening to classical music via internet radio. It could be a lot worse.
For the time being I've given up hope of ever having my driving licence reinstated. Olga has given up driving lessons as well. She was finding learning to drive too stressful on top of worrying about my health. Sometimes she didn't sleep at night and then had to try to drive in the morning. So I think we'll just have to stay a no-car family. The thing to be thankful for is that I still have mobility - even if not perfect mobility - on my own two feet.
12 September - bad news
Just got back from the GP surgery to hear about my CT scan result. It was not what we wanted to hear.
My tumour has increased in size. It has approximately doubled in length since January.
The news is not entirely unexpected given the symptoms I have been experiencing. But it's a bit of a shock to hear it confirmed nevertheless. The last couple of years have lulled me into a sense of feeling that things could just go on as they are now, long into the future.Today is a reminder that this isn't over yet.
What happens next? We don't know. We will have to wait and see. The GP will alert my other doctors about the change in my status. But until they decide on a course of action we can only speculate.
My tumour has increased in size. It has approximately doubled in length since January.
The news is not entirely unexpected given the symptoms I have been experiencing. But it's a bit of a shock to hear it confirmed nevertheless. The last couple of years have lulled me into a sense of feeling that things could just go on as they are now, long into the future.Today is a reminder that this isn't over yet.
What happens next? We don't know. We will have to wait and see. The GP will alert my other doctors about the change in my status. But until they decide on a course of action we can only speculate.
19 August - Taking a tumble
Life goes on with nothing particularly noteworthy to write about. The unsteadiness on my feet that I have often complained about continues to be a concern. I don't go anywhere without a walking stick or without Olga. I often take her hand to steady myself. We must look like a couple of newly-weds walking along the street hand in hand!
Yesterday I went down to the bottom of the garden to reset the weather station which had stopped working. When I got there I realised I would need a blunt object to poke the reset button. I turned around to go back for it and found myself falling to my right. I put my foot out to save myself but I tripped over the border to the raised bed. No injury was caused other than to a few plants which cushioned my fall, and my pride of course.
We are booked to spend a few days in London the weekend after next so I hope I can keep my feet then.Olga wants to see the state rooms at Buckingham Palace and has arranged a wheelchair for me for the visit. Having to use a wheelchair feels to me like the thin end of the wedge and I tried to resist the idea but I find it tiring standing around and the sweat runs down my back with the effort of keeping upright so it is probably the most practical solution. No doubt the Royal Albert Hall will also present some challenges!
I am a little concerned that this balance problem might be a sign that my tumour is growing again. Olga found several possible links between radiotherapy and balance issues and vertigo. Really I should be getting this information from my doctors. I would like another MRI scan soon to put my mind at rest about what is happening to my brain. But my next doctor's appointment is not until October so I'm unlikely to receive another scan much before then.
Yesterday I went down to the bottom of the garden to reset the weather station which had stopped working. When I got there I realised I would need a blunt object to poke the reset button. I turned around to go back for it and found myself falling to my right. I put my foot out to save myself but I tripped over the border to the raised bed. No injury was caused other than to a few plants which cushioned my fall, and my pride of course.
We are booked to spend a few days in London the weekend after next so I hope I can keep my feet then.Olga wants to see the state rooms at Buckingham Palace and has arranged a wheelchair for me for the visit. Having to use a wheelchair feels to me like the thin end of the wedge and I tried to resist the idea but I find it tiring standing around and the sweat runs down my back with the effort of keeping upright so it is probably the most practical solution. No doubt the Royal Albert Hall will also present some challenges!
I am a little concerned that this balance problem might be a sign that my tumour is growing again. Olga found several possible links between radiotherapy and balance issues and vertigo. Really I should be getting this information from my doctors. I would like another MRI scan soon to put my mind at rest about what is happening to my brain. But my next doctor's appointment is not until October so I'm unlikely to receive another scan much before then.
22 April - A slight decrease
Today we went for a consultation with the oncologist - the one I should have had a month ago. After the usual enquiries as to how I was he told us that the last scan showed 'a slight decrease' in the size of what's left of my tumour. This is obviously better than an increase, so it appears we have it under control for the moment.
Because of the type of tumour that it is, it can never all be removed - I can never be cured. When asked whether it could grow back we were told it could, but it is not possible to predict what would happen. The longest anyone has survived a glioblastoma multiforme grade 4 in our oncologist's direct experience is 8 years. It goes without saying that I hope I can beat that.
The doctor thinks I can apply to the DVLA to have my driving licence back. I'm not celebrating until I'm holding it in my sticky mitt.
Our next appointment is for three months' time after which I will have another MRI scan.
Because of the type of tumour that it is, it can never all be removed - I can never be cured. When asked whether it could grow back we were told it could, but it is not possible to predict what would happen. The longest anyone has survived a glioblastoma multiforme grade 4 in our oncologist's direct experience is 8 years. It goes without saying that I hope I can beat that.
The doctor thinks I can apply to the DVLA to have my driving licence back. I'm not celebrating until I'm holding it in my sticky mitt.
Our next appointment is for three months' time after which I will have another MRI scan.
9 August - Feeling better
Has it really been more than a month since I last posted here? I know I said that "no news is good news" but several followers commented that they would like to continue receiving news about how I am getting on. So here's an update.
Today we made the return trip to Carlisle to keep an appointment with the oncologist. We learned nothing new. He asked how I was, I told him I was feeling fine considering, so we received a new appointment to see him in three months' time.
In truth, I'm feeling better than I have at any time since the treatment of my brain tumour began. In fact there are times when I completely forget that I'm ill at all, never mind have a terminal illness.
I'm not back to my original fitness though. I tire more easily than I did before and I don't think I could climb much of a hill, though I'm starting to venture further afield. I still get bouts of vertigo that make me sometimes nearly lose my balance when I am walking, and cause me to use both hands on both rails when coming down the stairs.
I have lost most of the excess weight I had gained whilst I was on steroids: I'm down to 91kg now and I had been over 100kg. That makes me feel better too. I still have the goal of getting down to 89 kilos which was what I was BT (before tumour.)
The one thing that disappointed us is that I was not given a date for a new MRI scan. The doctor said that as I'm not having headaches, vomiting or seizures and am feeling fine there is no reason to have a scan. But I'd prefer it if we could keep an eye on things. A glioblastoma multiforme grade 4 is considered incurable. So I believe that there is still some tumour left and expect that one day it will grow back again. I'd rather find out when this happens before I start experiencing headaches, fits and vomiting.
I don't really want to live with a time bomb in my head and have no idea what the fuse is set for.
Today we made the return trip to Carlisle to keep an appointment with the oncologist. We learned nothing new. He asked how I was, I told him I was feeling fine considering, so we received a new appointment to see him in three months' time.
In truth, I'm feeling better than I have at any time since the treatment of my brain tumour began. In fact there are times when I completely forget that I'm ill at all, never mind have a terminal illness.
I'm not back to my original fitness though. I tire more easily than I did before and I don't think I could climb much of a hill, though I'm starting to venture further afield. I still get bouts of vertigo that make me sometimes nearly lose my balance when I am walking, and cause me to use both hands on both rails when coming down the stairs.
I have lost most of the excess weight I had gained whilst I was on steroids: I'm down to 91kg now and I had been over 100kg. That makes me feel better too. I still have the goal of getting down to 89 kilos which was what I was BT (before tumour.)
The one thing that disappointed us is that I was not given a date for a new MRI scan. The doctor said that as I'm not having headaches, vomiting or seizures and am feeling fine there is no reason to have a scan. But I'd prefer it if we could keep an eye on things. A glioblastoma multiforme grade 4 is considered incurable. So I believe that there is still some tumour left and expect that one day it will grow back again. I'd rather find out when this happens before I start experiencing headaches, fits and vomiting.
I don't really want to live with a time bomb in my head and have no idea what the fuse is set for.
26 June - One year on
Another milestone passed. This is the day the doctors said I would never see. One year ago today a doctor broke the news that I had a brain tumour, that it was incurable, and that I could expect to survive "a few months to a year."
Today we went to Newcastle, to the Royal Victoria Infirmary where I had the brain surgery, and saw the same doctor, one year later. As I anticipated, we didn't learn anything new. It was a rubber stamp exercise to put "closed" on my case as far as the surgery goes. (Carlisle will continue monitoring the tumour, of course.) It was uplifting to see the looks of genuine surprise as the doctor read through my file and saw the reports of how well I have done.
So, five hours of travelling for a five minute consultation. But I'm not going to grumble. They did a good job.If they hadn't, I really might not be here at this moment.
Today we went to Newcastle, to the Royal Victoria Infirmary where I had the brain surgery, and saw the same doctor, one year later. As I anticipated, we didn't learn anything new. It was a rubber stamp exercise to put "closed" on my case as far as the surgery goes. (Carlisle will continue monitoring the tumour, of course.) It was uplifting to see the looks of genuine surprise as the doctor read through my file and saw the reports of how well I have done.
So, five hours of travelling for a five minute consultation. But I'm not going to grumble. They did a good job.If they hadn't, I really might not be here at this moment.
7 June - Aches and pains
I have been off the steroids (dexamethosone) for over a fortnight now. I would have hoped to be able to report that I was starting to feel more normal but that isn't the case yet. My weight is still hovering somewhere over the 100kg mark. I have a painful left shoulder that gives me hell if I try to raise my left arm too much, though this may be just a sprain and nothing to do with anything else. And I have got aches and pains in my knees and hips which often make it more than I can manage to get out of a low chair without assistance. That probably isn't everything that's bugging me at the moment, but it's enough.
Olga thinks a lot of these symptoms are cold turkey (withdrawal symptoms) from coming off the dexamethasone. She has done a lot of research on the internet and thinks that I should have taken longer and made much smaller steps coming down from the 4mg I had been on for months. But we did what we were told, or tried to.
I hope we will see some improvements soon. It would make an enormous difference to my morale to be able to walk reasonable distances (at least a couple of miles) again.
Olga thinks a lot of these symptoms are cold turkey (withdrawal symptoms) from coming off the dexamethasone. She has done a lot of research on the internet and thinks that I should have taken longer and made much smaller steps coming down from the 4mg I had been on for months. But we did what we were told, or tried to.
I hope we will see some improvements soon. It would make an enormous difference to my morale to be able to walk reasonable distances (at least a couple of miles) again.
2 June - Taking a bath!
Today I decided for the first time in several months that I would have a bath instead of a shower. Showers are all very well but with my lack of agility and problems with balance I don't find it very easy standing on one leg to wash the other foot. I really need a shower I can sit down in and ours isn't big enough.
I ran a bath with no problems and managed to get in. But when I crouched down and tried to get into the sitting position my left foot slipped and I fell back into the bath. Miraculously I didn't create a tsunami and flood the floor below with bathwater, but this didn't augur well for getting out again. Well, I'd worry about that when the time came.
Sure enough when I tried to get from the sitting position to a crouch with both feet under me I couldn't. I didn't have enough strength in my steroid-weakened arms to lift my overweight body. I sat back in the bath while I pondered on what to do.
Fortunately it wasn't long before Olga came up the stairs. She gave me a stern ticking-off for having a bath without telling her. After a couple of abortive attempts to get out Olga suggested going and asking one of the neighbours for help. I had momentarily considered calling the fire brigade! But I think I would have rather lived for the rest of my life in the bath than incur the embarassment!
Olga's engineer's brain went to work and she rolled a bath towel into a thick "rope", wound it round my chest under my shoulders, then pulled on that while I pushed down with my arms. That got me to the crouching position from where I was able to stand up and climb out. Phew!
We had a good laugh about it afterwards, but this episode has made me think that it will be difficult to cope in this house unless my strength and mobility improve. I am determined not to end up in a wheelchair but I may not have any say in the matter. Read the stories of other people with brain tumours in cancer forums and they all seem to end up wheelchair-bound eventually.
I ran a bath with no problems and managed to get in. But when I crouched down and tried to get into the sitting position my left foot slipped and I fell back into the bath. Miraculously I didn't create a tsunami and flood the floor below with bathwater, but this didn't augur well for getting out again. Well, I'd worry about that when the time came.
Sure enough when I tried to get from the sitting position to a crouch with both feet under me I couldn't. I didn't have enough strength in my steroid-weakened arms to lift my overweight body. I sat back in the bath while I pondered on what to do.
Fortunately it wasn't long before Olga came up the stairs. She gave me a stern ticking-off for having a bath without telling her. After a couple of abortive attempts to get out Olga suggested going and asking one of the neighbours for help. I had momentarily considered calling the fire brigade! But I think I would have rather lived for the rest of my life in the bath than incur the embarassment!
Olga's engineer's brain went to work and she rolled a bath towel into a thick "rope", wound it round my chest under my shoulders, then pulled on that while I pushed down with my arms. That got me to the crouching position from where I was able to stand up and climb out. Phew!
We had a good laugh about it afterwards, but this episode has made me think that it will be difficult to cope in this house unless my strength and mobility improve. I am determined not to end up in a wheelchair but I may not have any say in the matter. Read the stories of other people with brain tumours in cancer forums and they all seem to end up wheelchair-bound eventually.
3 May 99.9 kg
100kg! Well, to be strictly accurate 99.9kg. That's what the bathroom scales told me my weight was today. I could hardly eat any less and maintain a healthy diet. I'm eating the same things as normal. But my weight seems to be increasing uncontrollably ever since we started reducing the dosage of dexamethasone.
It's rather worrying. I was about 87kg when I came out of hospital. Since then my weight has slowly increased, which everyone has put down to the steroids. I actually hoped that I could start to lose a little weight after reducing the dosage. I thought I would feel a bit more energetic if I didn't have to carry what amounts to a loaded rucksack around with me.
The weight gain is also rather inconvenient, as I can't get into any of my trousers! Before all this started I was a size 40 that could still get into my older size 38 trousers. But now my waistline is a size 46! Most of this increase has occurred over the last few weeks. What can we do to stop it? Our GP didn't have any useful suggestions.
17 April - Still got diarrhea
Received the appointment for my next MRI scan at Carlisle in a week's time. Unfortunately it's at 9am which is impossible to manage from Cockermouth without our own transport. Even by taxi it would be impossible as the local taxi firms are doing school runs at that time in the morning.
I'm not noticing much improvement in my energy level since I stopped the chemotherapy and I have had diarrhea for the last few weeks. I understand it's not unusual to have diarrhea after chemo because the chemo kills fast-multiplying cells which include the bacteria in the gut. It's supposed to clear up on its own. But I have decided reluctantly to take Imodium in the hope that will put a stop to it.
I'm not noticing much improvement in my energy level since I stopped the chemotherapy and I have had diarrhea for the last few weeks. I understand it's not unusual to have diarrhea after chemo because the chemo kills fast-multiplying cells which include the bacteria in the gut. It's supposed to clear up on its own. But I have decided reluctantly to take Imodium in the hope that will put a stop to it.
10 April - A setback
Bit of a setback to my hopes of coming off the steroids. We had got down to 1mg (half a tablet) but I had a headache last night which persisted until morning. It went after I took one dexamethasone (2mg) after breakfast. So it looks as if I'll need to keep taking them for the time being.
23 March - Hospital appointment
Afternoon appointment with the oncologist in Carlisle. Nothing new to report. No new symptoms means everything is going OK. Had a blood test and collected the prescription for the sixth and final chemotherapy cycle which I start on Saturday.
Next appointment with the doc will be in two months time, before which I should have received an appointment for an MRI scan. Then the doctors will be able to actually see how well the treatment has gone.
Olga asked if I was to continue taking the steroids (dexamethazone) after the chemo was finished. So the doctor has given me a programme to step down the steroids from the current 4mg a day to zero over the next 4 weeks. If I don't feel ill or have headaches then I could be free of medication by this time next month, but if any symptoms appear I will go back to 4mg. So fingers crossed...
Next appointment with the doc will be in two months time, before which I should have received an appointment for an MRI scan. Then the doctors will be able to actually see how well the treatment has gone.
Olga asked if I was to continue taking the steroids (dexamethazone) after the chemo was finished. So the doctor has given me a programme to step down the steroids from the current 4mg a day to zero over the next 4 weeks. If I don't feel ill or have headaches then I could be free of medication by this time next month, but if any symptoms appear I will go back to 4mg. So fingers crossed...
28 February - The end of chemotherapy!
Today I took the fifth and final 400mg dose of Temozolomide for my fifth and penultimate chemotherapy cycle. At this point in the cycle the concentration of Temo in my body is probably at its highest, with a corresponding negative effect on my energy levels. Today I could hardly haul myself out of my chair. I have spent most of the day sitting and thinking about what I could be doing if only I could find the energy to actually do something.
It would probably be a good idea to wait until I am feeling a bit more lively before doing anything critical. Yesterday I started to work out a circuit layout for stripboard and I drew the microprocessor chip so the rows of pins ran along the copper strips, connecting them all together, instead of at right angles. I threw away the drawing, printed out a new blank template and then proceeded to do the same thing again!
Duh! Sometimes I feel as if I've had a lobotomy.
It would probably be a good idea to wait until I am feeling a bit more lively before doing anything critical. Yesterday I started to work out a circuit layout for stripboard and I drew the microprocessor chip so the rows of pins ran along the copper strips, connecting them all together, instead of at right angles. I threw away the drawing, printed out a new blank template and then proceeded to do the same thing again!
Duh! Sometimes I feel as if I've had a lobotomy.
23 February - Fifth chemotherapy cycle
Just back from a hospital appointment in Carlisle to see the doctor prior to commencing my fifth cycle of chemotherapy.
My blood count was "great" and my scan results were "favourable". Such side effects as I have experienced, like feeling tired and weak in my legs, are "normal". Some side effects may disappear once the chemotherapy is over, but those caused by the radiotherapy are more long term, unfortunately.
The doctor seemed pleased with my progress - always a good sign, I think. Without wishing to tempt fate it would appear that so far, at least, I am "beating the bugger." Or rather, we are beating the bugger, because I'm sure that Olga's devoted care and ensuring I eat a healthy diet with lots of fruit and vegetables is helping me fight the cancer. We're in this together.
My blood count was "great" and my scan results were "favourable". Such side effects as I have experienced, like feeling tired and weak in my legs, are "normal". Some side effects may disappear once the chemotherapy is over, but those caused by the radiotherapy are more long term, unfortunately.
The doctor seemed pleased with my progress - always a good sign, I think. Without wishing to tempt fate it would appear that so far, at least, I am "beating the bugger." Or rather, we are beating the bugger, because I'm sure that Olga's devoted care and ensuring I eat a healthy diet with lots of fruit and vegetables is helping me fight the cancer. We're in this together.
30 January - Prunes and laxatives
I'm sure you are all happy to know that I survived the start of my fourth chemotherapy cycle without suffering chronic constipation. :) This time we were prepared. Besides my usual prunes for breakfast we stepped up the laxative tablets to three a day, plus a dish of beetroot before lunch and dinner. We also had more liquid meals such as borscht or stew. I don't think I can look at another beetroot - not for another 4 weeks anyway. As suggested by the doctor, I also took only one anti-sickness tablet per day instead of two.
The chemo still makes me more than usually lethargic (or just plain lazy) but it was a fine day so this afternoon I hauled ass and Olga and I walked to Harris Park and back - the best part of a couple of miles. This seems to be about my limit these days, and I'm still very sweaty by the end of it.
The higher mountains of the Lake District were iced white with snow. Looking across at them I felt rather sad: I doubt if I will ever regain enough fitness to walk the fells again.
I don't understand why I feel so physically weak when it was only my brain that has had surgery, but I believe it may be down to the dexomethasone, a cortico-steroid, which I take to control inflammation of the brain that might otherwise cause headaches or seizures. These steroids are completely different from the kind taken by body-builders and cause muscle wastage (and many other harmful effects, if you read the packet.) So I have lost fitness built up over many years that will probably take years to regain, if ever.
The chemo still makes me more than usually lethargic (or just plain lazy) but it was a fine day so this afternoon I hauled ass and Olga and I walked to Harris Park and back - the best part of a couple of miles. This seems to be about my limit these days, and I'm still very sweaty by the end of it.
The higher mountains of the Lake District were iced white with snow. Looking across at them I felt rather sad: I doubt if I will ever regain enough fitness to walk the fells again.
I don't understand why I feel so physically weak when it was only my brain that has had surgery, but I believe it may be down to the dexomethasone, a cortico-steroid, which I take to control inflammation of the brain that might otherwise cause headaches or seizures. These steroids are completely different from the kind taken by body-builders and cause muscle wastage (and many other harmful effects, if you read the packet.) So I have lost fitness built up over many years that will probably take years to regain, if ever.
29 December - Cheering news
Four out of five days of the heavy dose of chemo. I'm not feeling quite as bad as I did the previous cycle. I guess the body gets used to it to a certain extent. My hands have even been steady enough to do a bit of soldering.
Olga and I were enormously cheered to read the comment posted this afternoon by Tara Stevens to my post back in August about clomipramine. She writes that her mother was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer and had aggressive breast cancer as well and was given six months to live. After taking clomipramine both tumours eventually disappeared and she has beaten the doctors' prognosis by six years!
If Tara's mum can do it so can I. We'll beat that bugger!
Olga and I were enormously cheered to read the comment posted this afternoon by Tara Stevens to my post back in August about clomipramine. She writes that her mother was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer and had aggressive breast cancer as well and was given six months to live. After taking clomipramine both tumours eventually disappeared and she has beaten the doctors' prognosis by six years!
If Tara's mum can do it so can I. We'll beat that bugger!
27 December - Third chemotherapy cycle
Christmas is over. I hope you all had a good one. Ours was fine - quiet, spent at home enjoying some nice food and watching undemanding TV.
I allowed myself two small glasses of wine with dinner on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I did feel a bit tipsy later on, but that is pretty much how I feel most of the time at the moment so I don't think I can really blame the wine. Nor was it necessarily responsible for the slight headache I had on Christmas morning, as I didn't have one on Boxing Day morning. But I'm not in a hurry to try wine again as I haven't been missing it that much anyway.
On Boxing Day I started the third chemotherapy cycle. 400mg of temozolomide a day for the next 5 days. So I'm preparing for a couple of weeks of feeling crappy and lethargic. My mouth is already starting to feel like the inside of a sumo wrestler's jockstrap. No pain, no gain as they say.
I allowed myself two small glasses of wine with dinner on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I did feel a bit tipsy later on, but that is pretty much how I feel most of the time at the moment so I don't think I can really blame the wine. Nor was it necessarily responsible for the slight headache I had on Christmas morning, as I didn't have one on Boxing Day morning. But I'm not in a hurry to try wine again as I haven't been missing it that much anyway.
On Boxing Day I started the third chemotherapy cycle. 400mg of temozolomide a day for the next 5 days. So I'm preparing for a couple of weeks of feeling crappy and lethargic. My mouth is already starting to feel like the inside of a sumo wrestler's jockstrap. No pain, no gain as they say.
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