Tough Few Months

Well, I had a few really tough  months to deal with (September through November) since I last posted, though I am on the road back to normalcy, well, at least as much as one can be with cancer.   I won't bore you with all the details but I had this new trial chemo that probably overdosed me.  I was back and forth to the urgent care (Sloans version of Emergency) about 6 or 7 times and during that period I was admitted twice for 6 days each time and lost 30 lbs over the course of about 3 months.  Turns out the chemo was a wee bit tooo strong for me at the maximum dose and knocked the crap out of me.  I had so many issues to deal with, neither Sue nor I knew quite where to turn, and neither did Sloan.  Eventually all the issue started to subside and I am now left only with the discomfort caused by the tumours. 


I went to see the oncologisgt some weeks ago who decided I was too weak to resume chemo and I didn't disagree with him, though it had worked very well and shrank the tumour by quite a bit.  He said to come back in a few weeks. 


So back to the oncologist I go last week, the 8th, and got some pretty bad news.  During the time I wasn't on chemo -last dose was August- it has spread to the left lung, the intestine and more importantly, the liver.  All very small areas but the liver is obviously the biggest concern.  So now I am back on a chemo protocol.  The drug I am going to be on works better if the B12 and folic acid levels are elevated, so I am being dosed up in preparpartion for cycle one chemo on 23rd December -it's not so bad in terms of time as I will go once each three weeks.  I'm hoping the side effects will not kick in untill after the holidays.  Supposedly the vitamins help with that, will see. 


Right now my appetite is great and energy levels are OK -ish.   I am still quite anemic and fatigued -in fact this past weekend I had a couple of units of blood transfused and am feeling pretty good now. 


I was off work for quite a while during summer and they were very understanding and held my job for me.  I have been back to work, full days, for the past 3 or 4 weeks and feeling good.  I find working helps takes my mind off all that's going on.  I get a bit tired during the day and like to come home and sit down for half an hour to recoup.  It revives me and I'm then good for dinner.  I've done enough couch lounging over the past months to last me a lifetime, so I thought bugger it, time to use up some energy.  Provided I can get a little rest each day, I'm OK.  


So Sue and I have been out and about a bit over the past weeks making the most of the season.  We love going to the places that are all done up -so many are decorated to the hilt and it adds that festive and cosy feeling.  This coming weekend we are going to a place we've been a few times, the Milleridge Inn.  They have carolers that walk around the place and sing at the tables -sort of a Santa inspired Mariachi band.  


My son, Dominic, is visiting for five days over Christmas and we have plans to go out and sample the festivities.  I'm so looking forward to it.


I'll blog again after the holidays and chemo.


That's about all for now. Happy Holidays to All.


Be well to All,
Chris