Round 4 . End of week 3

Almost end of week 3 but things have been reasonably good this week.  For the second time this round I made it into work yesterday.  Not only that but I was feeling well enough to stay in town and everyone came into the RACV Club for dinner.  A really enjoyable meal and evening. 

We found a holder for my needle so that I could do it at the Club. So there I was in the car park, in the back seat of the car stabbing myself but no one noticed, so all is good. 

This means I am now officially through 50%. Round 5 starts Thursday. Not quite the home straight but it is in view now.

Round 4 day 14

I was feeling sufficiently good enough today to actually go to work at Docklands. Small achievement but the first time in nearly 7 weeks since I actually went in and not worked from home. 

I over did it a bit in the end and ended up with swollen legs.  Not badly but definitely more than I should have. 

I'm back home now with legs up but still pretty happy with the day. 

Sunday day 11

Donna has found a Cd and record market on at Essendon, I'm feeling good so off we go.  So much vinyl for sale.  So many obscure artists and albums.  Not a whole lot of anyone I know or are interested in.  We did buy a few despite this.

We spent a long time there and I ended up with a swollen leg but it was worth it.  If for no other reason than I got to go out. 

I am feeling better than last time at this point so I am hoping it continues. 

Round 4 - Days 2-7

As usual Friday was my best day and I met with Clare ( from work) for morning tea at Urban Grooves in Greensborough. As a complete surprise it turns out that one of the guys at work, Phil, has a daughter who works there and knows Clare. Amazing coincidence since I picked the place without knowing. Food was good and Clare and I had a good chat.

I went to my myotherapist Friday afternoon and discovered coconut oil is really good for the scalp and hair. My scalp and hair have been so dry especially during the fluid loss stages  Not peeling or flaking type dry but course and tough type dry. My skin goes like leather when I dry out but the coconut oil really works well. 

I probably did a little too much on Friday  as my calf was quite swollen Friday night. So the weekend came and went and we didn't do much. On Sunday I was feeling up to walking again so we went to the market. Not much swelling so hopefully things are looking up.

By Monday the neuropathy in my hands and feet was becoming noticeable . This is not good as usually it doesn't start until around day 7. Also my fluid flush appeared to be starting early, not sure what this means.

It's now Wednesday and I think I know what it means. It seems that its not as aggressive as previously but time will tell, certainly my feet are feeling it but not so much my hands. Being not as aggressive I suspect means that it will last longer, I sure hope not. I've discovered the coconut oil eases the neuropathy in my hands so now I am going to test it on my feet. I will keep you informed of its success or otherwise.

Round 4. Day 1

Here I am back at the oncology ward for the next round. Yesterday Niall was happy with progress and with the minimal side effects so we are progressing today as per schedule.  No change to dosage etc.  He tells me, quite confidently, that round 4 will not be like round 2 despite round 3 being similar to round 1. Here's hoping.

I got a corner chair today and a view.  Having said that it is a grey, wet and miserable day. It is still good to have the view. I can just see the top of the trains as they go. There won't be many laps of the ward today though thanks to the blood clots.  I've got to find a way to exercise at home without using my legs. 

Anyway today will be fairly peaceful.

This Week In Treatment

I thought this week was going to be ffairly usual stuff hence no posts. Instead I have a new challenge to write about.

To start on Tuesday I was feeling pretty good and my leg swelling had reduced so I figured I'd get in some exercise. Apparently not a good idea. Right calf ballooned and really hurt. I was still thinking at this stage it was muscular, it had been there with different severity for over 2 weeks.

It was still the same Thursday so I went to see the doctor. After a quick consultation and I had a letter to the emergency room at the Austin, so off we went. At the Austin, after nearly 5 hours, I was diagnosed with blood clots from near the top of my thigh to the back of my knee. Oh well at least it explains the pain, swelling and why it wouldn't go away. The next bit is the fun part. Due to my chemo I can't take usual tablets but have to have daily injections instead. I said to the doctor what are my options? Well you give them to yourself or you come hear everyday. So last night in the emergency ward I learnt how to give myself an infection. It isn't that hard as it turns out. You just have to get over the first thought of it. So now I get to give myself a daily injection for at least the next 3 to 6 months.

The doctor doing thought it funny that when he told me I responded that it was good and bad news. i explained, the bad that I had clots and the good that at least I now knew the problem and could something about it.  He just smiled and nodded. Nicholas thinks he will use that now with other patients.

Today was my second self inflicted injection. The pushing the needle in is painless but the medicine as it goes in stings. So be it.

Sunday (really Monday) Drive

On Monday I was feeling pretty good so we decided it was time for a drive.  So we headed off to Daylesford where we had a delightful morning tea in a little bakery in the main street. Not the big one that everyone goes to but a little one across the road.  I was still having some sensitivity with my eating so was looking for something softish.  We shared  an American brownie bar that was just right.  Highly recommend the place and their other pastries looked good. 

Then we decided to go to Hepburn Springs for lunch since my feet were still not really allowing my to walk far.  There isn't much at Hepburn Springs so we kept going to  Castlemaine where we went to lunch at the hotel we have liked before.  It has changed hands and looks like it had been pretty run down in between. The food wasn't bad although I found a bit of wire in the first meal I ordered.  They took it away and I ordered something else which turned out to be excellent,  better than my first choice. 

On the way home we stopped in at Lancefield at the bakery, another favorite.  Yes it was good.  Then home we went.  Another pleasant day.