First Quarter Over

The last round of chemo went OK, there was a wee glitch at the beginning, last Wednesday morning.  The first step in the oncology day ward is to flush out both PICC tubes and check that blood can be drawn back.  The blood would not come back, despite much sucking with syringes.  Apparently this is not unusual, it is due to small clots forming on the end of the tubes and acting like a one way valve, fluid can go in, but not come back out.

I helpfully suggested pushing a wire down the tubes, but our kiwi No 8 wire mentality was not considered appropriate.  Rather the plan was to inject some anti-coagulant (I was told that it was not drain cleaner) to dissolve the clots and return in 2 hours for another go.  That was successful so the chemo could start.

This round, I was to modify the medication I take at home to reduce the hiccuping problems and also reduce my Saturday downer.  The hiccup treatment did not work, Thursday afternoon and much of Friday was not good.  Teresa found this article which looks very relevant to me.  I take dexamethasone to suppress my immune system and give the anti-cancer medication a better go at the nasty cells.  That steroid could also lift my mood and as part of the changed regime I was to take an extra tablet on Saturday.  I did not take the extra medication and had no hiccups on Saturday.  My mood was down, but manageable as I was expecting it and felt in control.   I will discuss this with the oncologist when next I see him.

Fatigue and tiredness was definitely worse this time round, From later Thursday until Sunday afternoon I was unable to stay up for more than an hour or so, I was not even able to watch all of the Crusader's Super Rugby match, believe me, that was tough.  However I did give in and just go and lie down and try to relax rather than forcing myself to stay up and active, that helped, but I did struggle at times as I hate not doing anything.

So better on the "in control" side of things this time, worse on fatigue, but overall about the same as last time.  Today, Monday, I have my normal diarrhea in the morning, but I expect that to clear shortly, I will take a wee rest, then should be able to get into some work.  I am feeling positive about the treatment, and looking forward to an end of this phase later this year.