Monday 19th December
I spent a pleasant morning at the hospital as I had 3 appointments, which were well scheduled in that I didn't have to rush hither and thither.
First was my heart echocardiogram. Once again the operator was behind me so I couldn't see the screen. The room is also quite gloomy, I suppose so the operator can see the screen better. Consequently the only thing to do is snooze. So half an hour later I'm all done and I proceed to my next appointment.
Second is the phlebotomy clinic, also known as the blood clinic. I still qualify for queue jumping which is really very handy. As per usual I warn the phlebotomist that she has her work cut out and that I usually have the needles they use on babies etc. How wrong was I! She says she can see a lovely big vein and uses a normal vacuum type needle. This is truly a milestone as it has been nearly a year since I have had my blood taken in this manner. Usually they have to use a syringe and literally pull the blood out of my arm. Clearly my veins are on the mend! Hooray!
Finally I go to see the delightful Dr. Denton, my oncologist. My appointment is scheduled for 11.30am I arrive at 10am. So I settle down with my newspapers and prepare for a longish, but anticipated wait. Whilst I wait only a couple of other patients are seen and each takes quite a long time. At a little before 11am she pops her head out of her room and says I should come in now as otherwise I'll still be there at lunch time. So we go through the usual questions of how I am getting on and if there is anything new or interesting to report. I'm getting on swimmingly and apart from the fact that my fingernails are disintegrating at an alarming rate everything else is tickety boo! I suspect that Dr. Denton quite likes me as a patient as I generally have little or nothing to report and am thus quick and straightforward.
Then off I go to the office, arriving there at the time I was scheduled to see Dr. Denton. Not a bad result overall.
Wednesday 21st December
The shortest day. Visit number 13. Only 5 left to go.
I arrive, as per usual, in plenty of time and get one of the electrically adjustable chairs, which I like even though, because they are quite high, I feel a bit like a three year old when sitting on them.
I am weighed and asked the usual questions regarding my breathing, heart, swelling etc.All of which are OK. I tell them that there are ECG and blood results to be had from Monday. All is well, in fact my heart percentage has gone up from 55% to 56%, and no I have no idea what that percentage measures exactly other than some kind of pumping rate/efficiency. In any event it is good. I should point out that I have done little or no exercise over the last few weeks, so clearly not doing stuff to boost your heart rate would appear to be a good thing for your pump efficiency. Then again I could be wrong!
The matron is my nurse of the day. She says that it is not necessary to immerse my arm in warm water. This is the first time I have not had to do this. She goes for the vein at the base of my thumb. It's not too bad but it is still bruised and although blood comes out the saline won't go in. So out comes the cannula and the search for another vein begins. I do have one stipulation and that is not the back of my hand. This is for two reasons, one it is one of the more painful places to stick a needle and two because they can only use my right hand it means that doing the crossword is really quite difficult. So lovely amenable person that she is she finds a location at the top of my forearm near my elbow. Now because she is the matron her time is always being called upon by doctors, nurses and all and sundry, so once the needle is in she disappears off to deal with a doctor. On her return she has to draw blood out and then push is back in to clear the cannula and vein before I can proceed with the various infusions of drugs. The rest of my session goes off without incident and I am home for another snooze by 1.45pm.
So that's it for this year. In comparison with last Christmas it is everything is looking rosy.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas, and a Happy, Prosperous and Peaceful New Year.
Wednesday, 21 December 2011
Thursday, 8 December 2011
Collapsing Veins and Humble Pie
Thursday 8th December
I went to have my 12th round of Herceptin last week and it would appear that my last decent vein is slowly but surely giving up the ghost. A few days before this I had slipped down the stairs and smashed my right elbow in to the stairs. I did think for a short moment that I might have broken something, but fortunately not.
However, it occurred to me that had I broken my right arm this would leave no place to stick needles in. The nurse, expert that she is, did manage to stick the needle in my collapsing vein successfully. When I asked what she wold have done had I turned up with my right arm in plaster she mentioned something about legs and feet! I don't think she was joking, but I must tried to avoid breaking my right arm.
Yesterday I went to a different hospital to the physiotherapy unit for the pain in my neck. No not my children, they are the pain in my wallet!!! My neck pain I should point out is completely unrelated to my cancer or ongoing treatment, it's just the rest of my falling apart, slowly.
Anyway, whilst there I bumped into an old friend who I haven't seen in years. (I really must make more of an effort to keep up contact.) Well she has been suffering from lymphoma (cancer of the lymph system) and to cut a long story short, it took a while to diagnose as she did not display any of the typical symptoms. Upshot is she had in-patient chemotherapy, including spinal injections and because this is not a type of cancer you can operate on had to rely entirely on the chemo, which from the sound of it was very rigorous. She is currently in remission and is having physio for the after effects of the chemo and cancer, weakened muscles and the like.
Well, having spoken to her I felt unbelievably humbled by her experience and whilst I probably have a slightly better idea of what she has gone through than many of you, I can hardly begin to imagine exactly what she has endured. It makes my last year or so seem like a cake walk in comparison and I am beyond grateful that my cancer, diagnosis and treatment have all been relatively quick, straightforward and by and large, endurable.
Whilst I don't tend to like to play the Pollyanna Glad Game, every so often I think it is a good thing that something happens which puts my own situation very much in perspective.
I went to have my 12th round of Herceptin last week and it would appear that my last decent vein is slowly but surely giving up the ghost. A few days before this I had slipped down the stairs and smashed my right elbow in to the stairs. I did think for a short moment that I might have broken something, but fortunately not.
However, it occurred to me that had I broken my right arm this would leave no place to stick needles in. The nurse, expert that she is, did manage to stick the needle in my collapsing vein successfully. When I asked what she wold have done had I turned up with my right arm in plaster she mentioned something about legs and feet! I don't think she was joking, but I must tried to avoid breaking my right arm.
Yesterday I went to a different hospital to the physiotherapy unit for the pain in my neck. No not my children, they are the pain in my wallet!!! My neck pain I should point out is completely unrelated to my cancer or ongoing treatment, it's just the rest of my falling apart, slowly.
Anyway, whilst there I bumped into an old friend who I haven't seen in years. (I really must make more of an effort to keep up contact.) Well she has been suffering from lymphoma (cancer of the lymph system) and to cut a long story short, it took a while to diagnose as she did not display any of the typical symptoms. Upshot is she had in-patient chemotherapy, including spinal injections and because this is not a type of cancer you can operate on had to rely entirely on the chemo, which from the sound of it was very rigorous. She is currently in remission and is having physio for the after effects of the chemo and cancer, weakened muscles and the like.
Well, having spoken to her I felt unbelievably humbled by her experience and whilst I probably have a slightly better idea of what she has gone through than many of you, I can hardly begin to imagine exactly what she has endured. It makes my last year or so seem like a cake walk in comparison and I am beyond grateful that my cancer, diagnosis and treatment have all been relatively quick, straightforward and by and large, endurable.
Whilst I don't tend to like to play the Pollyanna Glad Game, every so often I think it is a good thing that something happens which puts my own situation very much in perspective.
Sunday, 20 November 2011
Routine, Menopause & Dr. Dennis Slamon
Sunday 20th November 2011
Those of you who have been paying attention will note that I have been a little tardy in posting about my most recent trip to the chemotherapy unit.
Well, to be honest it is now so complete uneventful that it would be dull and slightly boring to write about it. Indeed I could just copy & paste a previous entry and it would be pretty much the same. So that's good really.
Some time ago my Breast Nurse, referred me to the menopause clinic because I mentioned the annoyance that are hot flushes. Well I received an appointment accompanied by lots of forms at the beginning of this week for an appointment on the 17th.
The forms consisted of one A4 page for symptoms, more of which later, and umpteen A4 sheets relating to my nationality and my eligibility for NHS treatment. Now given that I have virtually lived at Northwick Park Hospital for the last 18 months or so this paperwork seems, firstly a little excessive and secondly a tad late. Still I filled it in as best I could, but did mention the futility of it when I went to my appointment, alas to no avail.
The symptoms sheet was altogether more interesting. Firstly I am clearly not suffering anywhere near as much as some, secondly there are some really interesting symptoms, my favourite being "Feelings of personal disintegration". It made me realise that I am clearly getting off quite lightly, however the hot flushes are extremely annoying and they are interrupting my sleep.
The woman I saw went through an extensive medical history, including whether I had broken any bones, and all my family medical ailments. I was then weighed and measured and had my blood pressure taken but this time with a manual machine. Apparently they are more accurate than the electric ones.
So what can be done about hot flushes? I can take any of the following, a mild anti-depressant, a blood pressure pill or an analgesic pill. All of which have side effects, primarily feeling nauseous to a greater or lesser degree.
I can also go down the alternative route. Yoga is apparently good for hot flushes, unless it's me doing it in which case it actually brings them on. I just love being special!
Acupuncture can help as can taking various supplements, such as red clover or black cohosh. However, I can't take black cohosh because of my breast cancer.
Things that don't work are evening primrose oil, lavender and something else which slips my mind. So I will be going with the red clover and I'll let you know how it goes. I should point out that much like any ailment, the simple act of booking an appointment with the medical profession tends to alleviate the symptoms, consequently I have had fewer and less severe hot flushes since I went to the clinic.
Who is Dr. Dennis Slamon? I hear you ask. Well he was played by Harry Connick Jr. in a made for TV film "Living Proof" which I caught the other day. Up until this point I didn't realise that I have much to thank him for. As you can probably guess he resides in America, California to be precise. This is the man who discovered Herceptin. So now you are as informed as I am, but probably not quite as grateful!
Those of you who have been paying attention will note that I have been a little tardy in posting about my most recent trip to the chemotherapy unit.
Well, to be honest it is now so complete uneventful that it would be dull and slightly boring to write about it. Indeed I could just copy & paste a previous entry and it would be pretty much the same. So that's good really.
Some time ago my Breast Nurse, referred me to the menopause clinic because I mentioned the annoyance that are hot flushes. Well I received an appointment accompanied by lots of forms at the beginning of this week for an appointment on the 17th.
The forms consisted of one A4 page for symptoms, more of which later, and umpteen A4 sheets relating to my nationality and my eligibility for NHS treatment. Now given that I have virtually lived at Northwick Park Hospital for the last 18 months or so this paperwork seems, firstly a little excessive and secondly a tad late. Still I filled it in as best I could, but did mention the futility of it when I went to my appointment, alas to no avail.
The symptoms sheet was altogether more interesting. Firstly I am clearly not suffering anywhere near as much as some, secondly there are some really interesting symptoms, my favourite being "Feelings of personal disintegration". It made me realise that I am clearly getting off quite lightly, however the hot flushes are extremely annoying and they are interrupting my sleep.
The woman I saw went through an extensive medical history, including whether I had broken any bones, and all my family medical ailments. I was then weighed and measured and had my blood pressure taken but this time with a manual machine. Apparently they are more accurate than the electric ones.
So what can be done about hot flushes? I can take any of the following, a mild anti-depressant, a blood pressure pill or an analgesic pill. All of which have side effects, primarily feeling nauseous to a greater or lesser degree.
I can also go down the alternative route. Yoga is apparently good for hot flushes, unless it's me doing it in which case it actually brings them on. I just love being special!
Acupuncture can help as can taking various supplements, such as red clover or black cohosh. However, I can't take black cohosh because of my breast cancer.
Things that don't work are evening primrose oil, lavender and something else which slips my mind. So I will be going with the red clover and I'll let you know how it goes. I should point out that much like any ailment, the simple act of booking an appointment with the medical profession tends to alleviate the symptoms, consequently I have had fewer and less severe hot flushes since I went to the clinic.
Who is Dr. Dennis Slamon? I hear you ask. Well he was played by Harry Connick Jr. in a made for TV film "Living Proof" which I caught the other day. Up until this point I didn't realise that I have much to thank him for. As you can probably guess he resides in America, California to be precise. This is the man who discovered Herceptin. So now you are as informed as I am, but probably not quite as grateful!
Tuesday, 25 October 2011
More Than Half Way There And It's Tediously Routine
Wednesday 19th October
For those of you who have been paying close attention you will note that almost a week has past since my last Herceptin treatment and I am only now updating my blog.
Have no fear dear reader, this is more to do with the fact that my visits to the chemotherapy unit are now monotonously routine rather than any more sinister reason.
As you will probably guess I have little or nothing to report.
I was not kept waiting, indeed the unit was remarkably under attended, which is a very good thing I think.
The top professional nurse found a vein first time and with little or no pain.
I am also now becoming impervious to the side effects of the pre-meds, so no mid treatment snooze.
Possibly the only notably thing that happened was that the blood pressure machine malfunctioned, either that or I was actually dead!
Interestingly when automatic blood pressure machines malfunction they simply keep inflating and deflating the blood pressure cuff. Now some of you might remember that I really don't like having my blood pressure taken, not sure why but I just don't. Anyway, having a slightly "mad" machine inflate and deflate ad nauseum did little or nothing for my actual blood pressure and consequently my final blood pressure reading was on the high side. The nurse seemed unbothered by this so I'm not sure now if I actually have high blood pressure or not.
Anyway, only another 8 treatments to go. I can only hope the remainder are as boring as this one.
For those of you who have been paying close attention you will note that almost a week has past since my last Herceptin treatment and I am only now updating my blog.
Have no fear dear reader, this is more to do with the fact that my visits to the chemotherapy unit are now monotonously routine rather than any more sinister reason.
As you will probably guess I have little or nothing to report.
I was not kept waiting, indeed the unit was remarkably under attended, which is a very good thing I think.
The top professional nurse found a vein first time and with little or no pain.
I am also now becoming impervious to the side effects of the pre-meds, so no mid treatment snooze.
Possibly the only notably thing that happened was that the blood pressure machine malfunctioned, either that or I was actually dead!
Interestingly when automatic blood pressure machines malfunction they simply keep inflating and deflating the blood pressure cuff. Now some of you might remember that I really don't like having my blood pressure taken, not sure why but I just don't. Anyway, having a slightly "mad" machine inflate and deflate ad nauseum did little or nothing for my actual blood pressure and consequently my final blood pressure reading was on the high side. The nurse seemed unbothered by this so I'm not sure now if I actually have high blood pressure or not.
Anyway, only another 8 treatments to go. I can only hope the remainder are as boring as this one.
Wednesday, 28 September 2011
Side Effects, Half Way There & The Problem of Oddness Appears to Disappear
Wednesday 28th September
Side Effects
I have had some interesting but not too intrusive side effects. I am not entirely certain if they relate to the Herceptin or to the Tamoxifen. In any event they are as follows:
Flaky fingernails - think I might invest in some Sally Hansen Hard as Nails. Let you know how that works out.
Painful feet and leg joint - have been taking super strength cod liver oil and that seems to alleviate the problem which means I don't tend to resemble a 90 year old arthritic woman first thing in the morning or when I first get up from sitting down for a while - which is good.
Cramping muscles in my legs - this hasn't happened a lot but it can be really quite painful when it does. Not sure what I can do to relieve this, any suggests most welcome.
Hot flushes and cold chills - this is because all the treatment I have been receiving has pushed me into the menopause. The upshot of the hot flushes and the following chills is that my sleep is hugely interrupted as I spend virtually all night fluctuating between being spread eagled with no duvet on or snuggled up with the duvet pulled up around my ears!
Immediately after the Herceptin my taste buds play up for a day or so making things taste different.
I also suffer the following day only from hot, red itchy cheeks on my face!
So that's the side effects dealt with, as previously mentioned any suggestions for a little light relief will be gratefully received, especially with regard to the hot flushes!
So today I had my 9th round of Herceptin only another 9 to go. Those readers who have been following closely will know by now that I feel more than a little trepidatious about my "odd" visits. However today was hitchless and given that I went by bicycle this was all the more joyful.
The reason for the bike is that I have been advised not to drive because I have Piriton as an anti allergy pre-med and my usual ride wasn't available. I have walked before but I thought it would be quicker if I cycled and in the event I wasn't up to riding back, wheeling the bike home wouldn't be too arduous. As it happens I appear to be developing a tolerance to the side effects of Piriton so I was not at all sleepy.
I was also seen at my appointed time and was in and out in under 3 hours which was fantastic. I can only hope that this has now set a new trend for my visits.
Side Effects
I have had some interesting but not too intrusive side effects. I am not entirely certain if they relate to the Herceptin or to the Tamoxifen. In any event they are as follows:
Flaky fingernails - think I might invest in some Sally Hansen Hard as Nails. Let you know how that works out.
Painful feet and leg joint - have been taking super strength cod liver oil and that seems to alleviate the problem which means I don't tend to resemble a 90 year old arthritic woman first thing in the morning or when I first get up from sitting down for a while - which is good.
Cramping muscles in my legs - this hasn't happened a lot but it can be really quite painful when it does. Not sure what I can do to relieve this, any suggests most welcome.
Hot flushes and cold chills - this is because all the treatment I have been receiving has pushed me into the menopause. The upshot of the hot flushes and the following chills is that my sleep is hugely interrupted as I spend virtually all night fluctuating between being spread eagled with no duvet on or snuggled up with the duvet pulled up around my ears!
Immediately after the Herceptin my taste buds play up for a day or so making things taste different.
I also suffer the following day only from hot, red itchy cheeks on my face!
So that's the side effects dealt with, as previously mentioned any suggestions for a little light relief will be gratefully received, especially with regard to the hot flushes!
So today I had my 9th round of Herceptin only another 9 to go. Those readers who have been following closely will know by now that I feel more than a little trepidatious about my "odd" visits. However today was hitchless and given that I went by bicycle this was all the more joyful.
The reason for the bike is that I have been advised not to drive because I have Piriton as an anti allergy pre-med and my usual ride wasn't available. I have walked before but I thought it would be quicker if I cycled and in the event I wasn't up to riding back, wheeling the bike home wouldn't be too arduous. As it happens I appear to be developing a tolerance to the side effects of Piriton so I was not at all sleepy.
I was also seen at my appointed time and was in and out in under 3 hours which was fantastic. I can only hope that this has now set a new trend for my visits.
Saturday, 10 September 2011
Routine and Mundane!
Wednesday 7th September
This is my eighth round of Herceptin, only another 10 to go!
Apart from a very long wait for a chair this visit, being an even event, went without a hitch. I really I starting to get very twitchy about the "odd" visits.
Anyway, as luck would have it I got to sit in one of the new, all-singing, all-dancing chairs. They are much higher than the old versions, but you can adjust the back and the foot rest to your heart's content. I found it immensely comfortable, although I did feel a bit like a three year with my legs dangling above the floor when I first sat down.
There was no trouble finding a vein and apart from the fact that it seemed to take much longer than previously it really was a most boring visit.
Still never mind there's always number 9 to look forward to!
This is my eighth round of Herceptin, only another 10 to go!
Apart from a very long wait for a chair this visit, being an even event, went without a hitch. I really I starting to get very twitchy about the "odd" visits.
Anyway, as luck would have it I got to sit in one of the new, all-singing, all-dancing chairs. They are much higher than the old versions, but you can adjust the back and the foot rest to your heart's content. I found it immensely comfortable, although I did feel a bit like a three year with my legs dangling above the floor when I first sat down.
There was no trouble finding a vein and apart from the fact that it seemed to take much longer than previously it really was a most boring visit.
Still never mind there's always number 9 to look forward to!
Thursday, 18 August 2011
Good News and Unlucky Number 7
Monday 15th August
I have an appointment to see Dr. Denton who gives me the good news that the results of my mamogramme and MRI were clear, which to be honest I was expecting this to be the case. Still it's good to know that everything is going well. She has a quick check of my lungs and stuff and then I am free to go.
Wednesday 17th August
Those of you who have been paying attention will know that my "odd" herceptin visits do not go smoothly and this being number 7 was to prove the case again.
Firstly, my appointment had to be moved back by half an hour to 11am due to the number of people needing chemotherapy and the limited number of chairs. I arrived at about 10.45am and waited. 11am came and went as did the next 60 minutes. The reason for the delay was, as detailed above lots of people and also the pharmacy was running slowly so it took a while for the chemotherapy drugs to get upstairs. So consequently I got a lot of reading done.
Once I got in the nurse tried for a vein, got the needle in but no joy, so off she went to get the matron who found a decent vein. However the pump to which I was attached kept beeping even after it was plugged into the mains. Apparently it needed a new battery and so another pump had to be found to replace this one. I really am not a very superstitious person but I am getting just a little paranoid about my "odd" visits to the chemo unit.
Anyway the rest of the session went off without a hitch. Once the herceptin has finished they push though some saline to flush through the vein. The nurse said she'd pump through about 100ml from a bag which contained 500ml and said I could drink the rest. I did point out that perhaps this would be a little salty at which point she fell about laughing saying what she meant to say was I should go home and drink lots of water.
So far everything is going well and in comparison with chemotherapy, herceptin is a doddle.
I have an appointment to see Dr. Denton who gives me the good news that the results of my mamogramme and MRI were clear, which to be honest I was expecting this to be the case. Still it's good to know that everything is going well. She has a quick check of my lungs and stuff and then I am free to go.
Wednesday 17th August
Those of you who have been paying attention will know that my "odd" herceptin visits do not go smoothly and this being number 7 was to prove the case again.
Firstly, my appointment had to be moved back by half an hour to 11am due to the number of people needing chemotherapy and the limited number of chairs. I arrived at about 10.45am and waited. 11am came and went as did the next 60 minutes. The reason for the delay was, as detailed above lots of people and also the pharmacy was running slowly so it took a while for the chemotherapy drugs to get upstairs. So consequently I got a lot of reading done.
Once I got in the nurse tried for a vein, got the needle in but no joy, so off she went to get the matron who found a decent vein. However the pump to which I was attached kept beeping even after it was plugged into the mains. Apparently it needed a new battery and so another pump had to be found to replace this one. I really am not a very superstitious person but I am getting just a little paranoid about my "odd" visits to the chemo unit.
Anyway the rest of the session went off without a hitch. Once the herceptin has finished they push though some saline to flush through the vein. The nurse said she'd pump through about 100ml from a bag which contained 500ml and said I could drink the rest. I did point out that perhaps this would be a little salty at which point she fell about laughing saying what she meant to say was I should go home and drink lots of water.
So far everything is going well and in comparison with chemotherapy, herceptin is a doddle.
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