Chemo tomorrow Val. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Tired Ffosse and I should be at my best ready for chemo tomorrow. The lack of energy really gets to me!
I donāt think age has anything to do with it, really, and I can empathise with your breathlessness - itās very nasty and you wonder how such a simple task can cause such distress. Iām convinced itās a side-effect of the chemotherapy because of its sudden onset with any type of activity.
I wish you all the best for tomorrow - although chemo is necessary itās something else which just isnāt nice. I would rate fatigue and breathlessness as the 2 worst symptoms - worse than any type of pain because at least there are drugs for that; you can go from OK to feeling very ill within minutes.
It has lead to me not doing very much with my days at all - I either lack concentration, have the fatigue/breathlessness or am in pain. I try and unwind by doing simple things I enjoy.
Good Night Dreamy and Val.
I hope you both sleep well.
Goodnight Sweetie, hope you have a good night too. Iām going to bed now, an early start tomorrow!
Thinking of you both today.
I know you are having chemo Val.
I have good news for my boy. A cancellation, so he can have his scan on Tuesday.
Thatās good news, Sweetie.
All I had to do today was give blood at my G.P practice - Iām not sure why as normally itās 2 days before chemo before I give blood and I donāt have chemo until the 13th. Still, it can only be for my own good.
Thinking of you today Val J - hope the chemo wasnāt too unpleasant.
Iām so glad I have my phoneās calendar: I put in every appointment and itās synced to my iPad and Mac. I also take photos of important letters so they can easily be accessed. I got an appointment today with my Consultant on the 9th of August and itās reassuring in a way that my treatment is progressing - Iām more than half-way there and havenāt missed anything except a CT scan, but I got that rearranged for the 12th. That week is particularly busy with a GP appointment on the 14th, chemo on the 13th and a nurseās appointment on the 11th.
Not looking forward to my 4 or 5 day hospital stay on the 21st but Iāve learned (I hope) to be a bit more calm and positive about procedures. I just hope they donāt infuse me overnight given my habit of sleep-biting through the drip line.
So Iāve got a bit of a break until the week of the 11th - Iām just taking it easy. I canāt go outside much but tomorrow Iām going to try and get to a local shop which sells incense sticks - both to calm me and to get rid of any moths (they hate them).
Have been enjoying playing with my new TV and watching mostly rubbish but with a few quality programmes. I hooked it up to my hi-fi so the sound is good, and the screen size of 32" is fine for my small living-room. Iām looking forward to the grass tennis season and the world cup. I informed TV licensing and buying a licence was a bit of a bitter pill to swallow as I donāt agree with it but want to stay lawful.
Iāve set aside 2 hours a day just for reading; for the longest time I couldnāt concentrate and missed my reading dreadfully as I think itās a good habit to have for the mind. Iāve got so many unread books on my iPad and itās time to make a start on them. My last book The End Of The Romanovs was a tad grim but Iāve got the latest Stephen King and I generally enjoy his books.
Food-wise, I was eating mindlessly out of boredom or when I grew a bit despondent, comfort eating. So Iāve decided to eat as much fruit and vegetables as I want until having a proper meal at 5pm. My weight has been up and down with this illness - Iām not overweight by much (perhaps 6 lbs) but would like to lose this. Again, itās with the not getting out for exercise.
Didnāt manage to get out today and I went for a siesta this afternoon.
No energy at all right now.
That is such good news Sweetie.
My chemo went ok and feeling pretty good today too.
Your energy levels should be building up again Ffosse ready for your next chemo. I think I would have a word with the chemo nurse and ask if this lack of energy is normal for such a prolonged period. I tend to have a bad week followed by a good week, but my chemo is fortnightly.
Yes, mine is every 3 weeks yet I canāt think of a day when I had any extra energy at all. Iāll be glad when all the chemo is over.
Well I have chosen to continue with my chemo and have now had 11 cycles, but Iām sure Iāve not suffered like you Ffosse.
I must say though that the worst side effect is the lack of energy.
Iāve just woken up with something going on: extreme fatigue, not good on my feet - a temperature of 38 or so. Last time this all went away without my having to go to hospital. Iām hoping itās the same thing.
I had to use every ounce of strength to get dressed, go down to the shop below and buy some milk & juice. And the headache feels like a hangover. I felt so well just yesterday afternoon.
My temperature is now 39.4.
I phoned the hematology department and they want me in straight away - Theyāre even going to use patient transport.
A temperature that high can only mean I have a fever or have caught some nasty bug. I do hope they sort it out quickly; wasnāt anticipating this at all.
Sorry to hear you are feeling so unwell Ffosse, you did the right thing by contacting the hospital. Try not to get too stressed out as you will be in the best place and they will look after you and find out what is wrong.
Wishing you well and back home again very soonā¦
So sorry to hear youāre not well again Ffosse but you did the right thing in contacting the hospital, you canāt afford to take chances. Hope youāre soon well and home again.
Iāve been to Ward 2 Oncology before. Basically they give you a full MOT and try to find out what is amiss. I can expect to be there all day and probably overnight, too.
Got my bag packed - just the essentials, clothes, Phone charger, earphones and a can of cream soda from the shop below. Iāts remarkable how close this feels to a hangover, but my last drink was Friday tea-time so Iām not sure whatās going on. Woke up with the sheets sticking to me with sweat.
Itās not the air temperature, either. Basically I keep my house at a comfortable 18 or 19 degrees. This means I can just wear a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and feel comfortable.
Have started to feel slightly better but the fatigue and out of breath feeling is the same as when Iām outside walking. Yet Iāve done nothing. Perhaps I caught a bug from the broccoli and carrots I had with yesterdayās Cornish Pasty. Iām at a complete loss as to whatās wrong with me.
The ambulance people phoned, saying theyāre going to be a bit late - thatās OK, the discomfort isnāt too bad when Iām sitting down, itās when I try and get up and walk anywhere around the house I have problems, my co-ordination is off and I feel weak. Leaving my Monaco watch at home. Itās never off my wrist except when I shower, but I donāt want to take it in with me if Iām gone more than a day or two.
Ffosse they will be taking you in for a few days, if your temp is that high, because they will need to find the cause. If it is an infection (which is likely when you are having chemo) you will probably need antibiotic and maybe an intravenous drip if you are dehydrated. They canāt send you home if you have one of those.
Just be happy that you are in the right place to deal with your high temperature!
Itās down to 37.7. Iām not sure how it lowered that quickly. Iām in Ward 2 now and theyāre taking my vitals.
Wow that has come down quickly, are you sure you read the reading correctly? I would expect that they will certainly keep you in overnight to monitor it.