Twas the night before treatment starts
Week 1 – 02 to 08 March 2009
I think I indicated earlier that one of the side effects of the chemo is a temporary effect on the bone marrow . The bone marrow makes blood cells and a drop in its function can cause issues including having to postpone treatments. The effect is monitored by regular blood tests (weekly before my reviews). I will have a further blood test prior to my next chemo in three weeks time and these results will dictate any changes to the treatment.
Listed below are the aspects of most interest, together with my readings from my blood test on 23 Feb 09:
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Haemoglobin 154
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White Cell Count 5.50
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Platelet Count Blood 229
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Neutrophils Absolute 3.16
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Creatinine Plasma V1 77
Today is my first Chemotherapy treatment. Chemotherapy refers to the use of special drugs to treat cancer. It comes from the combing of the words chemical and therapy Chemotherapy uses anticancer (cytotoxic) drugs to kill cancer cells. My prescribed drug, as indicated earlier, is Cisplatin.
I was placed in Treatment Bay 1 which contained three beds and four remote controlled chairs with leg rest and adjustable back and head rest. All the chairs and beds were occupied and I was told this was pretty standard, infact the Hospital was looking to expand it's facilities to meet the demand. From my recon there seemed to be about 6 treament bays all set out in a similar way.
I was told the procedure would take about 4.5 to 5 hours (no wonder they make you comfortable).
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The procedure started with an anti nausea tablet Emend 125mg, this is given an hour before the chemo drug. I was also given two of these tablets (80mg) to take at home over the next two days (one before my treatment tomorrow)
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I then had a cannula fitted (small tube into the vein) and connected to 1000ml of Normal Saline (given over 60 minutes) to ensure my kidneys were flushed. I needed to through a post hydrantion procedure (have a pee) a few times during this hour so luckily the toilets were close at hand. In fact a number of the patients were in post hydration so there was an endless stream (pun intended) passing by. As indicated earlier Cisplatin can cause damage to the kidneys so flushing of the kidneys is important not only as part of the procedure but also over the following couple of days
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Dexamethasun 6ml (slow IV) was then added to the line as a further anti nausea measure
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Granisetron 3mg was the added to the line as a further anti nausea measure.
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Cisplatin 105mg + Potasium 1000ml over 60 minutes was then administered via the cannula line
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Once the Cisplatin has been administered a further 1000ml of Normal Saline was administered over 60 minutes to continue to flush the kidneys
The procedure took just on 4 hours. I felt fine throughout. As I stated above luckily my chair was close to the unisex toilets because there was a lot of fluid to be passed. There was quite a procession of men and women (of all ages) heading into the toilets wheeling their trolley with the bags of medication attached. Snacks were provided (a nice touch) sandwiches, juice coffee and fruit, about all I felt like really. I spent the time reading magazines, my university text books and watching a little TV. H is always there with me going through it all by my side. She is great company and I love her to bits.
Driving home after the chemo I was feeling fine although a little light headed. I had my first Radiation to look forward to tonight.
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A brief explanation of the process was given by a member of staff
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I was then taken into the treatment room and some more measurements were taken using an x-ray device
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The radiation therapy (using a Linear Accelerator) was then given. I did not feel anything. The radio therapy treatment device revolved around me as a lay perfectly still locked in my mask. The device whirrs and a couple of light come on in the room when it is active. The ceiling is painted dark grey with lights embedded that twinkle like stars. A nice touch.
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Then it was over, about twenty five minutes altogether, but they explained that today was a bit longer than usual because of the x-rays so as to double and triple check.
Day one was over and I was feeling none the worse for wear, lets see how day two unfolds.
There was much the same today as there was yesterday without all the waiting around. I had the same drug cocktail for chemo and straight after slipped in for radiation (ahead of my sceheduled time of 1615). I was home by about 1530.
The only noticable change was that the Cisplatin was given over 2 hours as opposed to yesterday's 1 hour and I was (and still am) suffereing from a little nausea, heartburn and hiccups.
I plan to go to work tomorrow so I will see how I feel then.
06 March 2009
I went to work today, feeling fine in the morning but at about lunchtime the fatigue set in and I went home for a LLD (little lie down). I slept for about 4 hours then went to pick M&D up from hockey training. I then spent the next hour watching TV and having something to eat before the hospital called and asked if i could come in early for my radiation (2000 instead of 2100) so I packed up and headed in for my third radiation treatment.
07 and 08 March 2009 (The weekend)
Did it a bit tough Saturday. Feeling quite tired. Very lethargic. I stayed in bed until about lunchtime (because I could) then got up to see what had happened in the world. The hiccups and heartburn are still ever present so I am assuming it is to do with the drugs. Sunday was a better day, spent most of it at hockey trials, hockey development day and the last game of the indoor hockey season for the team. Overall I am now starting to come good, although the hiccups and heartburn are still haunting me. When I see the radiation oncology doctors tomorrow I will see if this is normal.
I suppose this is technically week one down eventhough it was only three days. I now look forward to the next six or so weeks (yeah right)
Week 2 – 09 to 15 March 2009
First up today was the Head and Neck seminar. There were four of us in attendance and there was some pretty useful information passed on. Most I had already heard either from my specialists or at the H&N clinic when my treatment was being planned but as I have previously said you can never have to much information. An interesting statistic came out and that is the hospital does around 200-250 radiations treatments a day - that's a lot of cancer out there.
After the seminar I went and had my radiation treatment. The radiation must be taking its required effects as I have now noticed that food is becoming "metallic" as my tastebuds die (this is a temporary side effect until after treatment ceases). Also at night my mouth is becoming very dry (I understand this is now a "forever" side effect as the saliva glands are permanently damaged) so I will have to start on the mouth lubricant gels.
Radiation has continued Thursday and Friday with no real side effects being shown. I have although caught a cold on Friday (13th) and it has persisted over the week end. I was up most of Friday night Saturday morning coughing and blowing my nose. My temperature has not deviated in any way so I have been lucky in that my body is fighting the infection.