Bob: the bullet that finally got me

[Sparky]

I believe a positive attitude is a major factor in beating something like this.  And honestly, I don't know how I'd have managed without Tracy by my side.  When it's all over I need to treat her to a long restful break somewhere.

[jonwat]

On 04/05/2024 at 10:11, Sparky said:

Watch out Bob, I'm comin' for ya.

Give it effing hell 

[Chillidoggy]

4 hours ago, Sparky said:

I believe a positive attitude is a major factor in beating something like this.  And honestly, I don't know how I'd have managed without Tracy by my side.  When it's all over I need to treat her to a long restful break somewhere.

On her own, then.

[Sparky]

For that, I'm gonna come down there and pull your oil gauge out of the dash.

[Chillidoggy]

Just spotted a reference to your condition..........

 

[Gjk]

‘Moce’ the collar? Are these instructions from the same place I got my chargecooler tubes Ian?

[Chillidoggy]

I guess it depends on whether “Releasing Cacuum” is normal practice in Watford.

[Sparky]

Since the operation, yes.

[tomcattom]

Not been able to spend much time on the forum over the past month or so while I've been managing an extension being built on the house so I've only just seen this thread. Really sorry to read about it and I wish you a speedy recovery @Sparky!

[pete]

@Sparky's mother in law's doctor said she needed a bar installed in the shower because of her age, Sparky of course obliged

[Chillidoggy]

Can’t see her in that shower Pete. Maybe she doesn’t show up in photos at all.

[pete]

Fell over ,no bar to hold onto

[Sparky]

One hour into my debut chemo session; so far no weird symptoms to report.

This place is great!  I have a big comfy electric recliner and pillow, massive TV on the wall, aircon in here is fantastic, just had coffee and biccies delivered.  I can thoroughly recommend bowel cancer.

[Bazza 907]

I hope that the biccies are Jammie Dodgers 😀

[Sparky]

Duh, I have bowel cancer; obviously they're digestives.

[eeyoreish]

Chocolate covered..? 🤢

[Sparky]

The NHS isn't made of money!

[Dave Eds]

7 hours ago, Sparky said:

One hour into my debut chemo session; so far no weird symptoms to report.

This place is great!  I have a big comfy electric recliner and pillow, massive TV on the wall, aircon in here is fantastic, just had coffee and biccies delivered.  I can thoroughly recommend bowel cancer.

Which prison are you in mate? 

Edited July 19 by Dave Eds

[Bazza 907]

I presume that if the chemo makes you lose your hair the biccies will be....

Gary Baldie

[Sparky]

Receiving a PM from my mate @Gjkinquiring as to my progress, I realise I haven't updated here for a while, so here's pretty much what I told him...

First round of chemo (1 of 4) completed Friday morning so given the half-life of each drug I'm almost devoid of the capecitabine but a few percent of the oxilaplatin remains.  So, almost free of side effects now!  I've had a few, but nothing intolerable.

Pretty much constant nausea to varying degrees, but I'm surprised that I've become accustomed to this and it hasn't affected my appetite - quite the opposite as I'm ravenous all the time.

Peripheral neuropathy - in fact, neuropathy in general - is a problem with the 3-weekly infusion.  This mainly means ludicrous sensitivity to cold in hands and feet.  It manifests as thousands of tiny electric shocks.  Even in weather like today (20deg, cloudy, light breeze), I have to consider wearing gloves on a walk.  Fridge/freezer are out of bounds; cold drinks will cause severe throat constriction, and worst of all, incredibly painful jaw spasms but only if you put food or drink near your mouth.  Surreal.  A similar thing occurs with any emotion that produces tears (including laughter) - the eyes themselves and the whole temporal area hurt like hell!  Those last two are documented but rare, apparently. The infusion has a half-life of about 4 days, so these effects do diminish.

Some aches and pains but not dreadful. 

Heart rate went very high a few days ago (was around 110 at rest, down again now), but they gave me emergency criteria that I haven't met yet, so all good so far.  This chemotherapy regime has a 1% mortality rate and, I believe, 6% cardiotoxicity risk.  Scary!

Finally: fatigue!  For the first 5 days or so, I was Superman due to the steroids.  Then I started to get tired, then the fatigue ramped up very quickly, but seems to have subsided a little now.  I've been taking old-man naps, which I detest!

And zero hair loss, wheeeee.

Tracy's doing fine now.  We've pretty much got into our stride with it.  Amazing how one adjusts to this new reality.  The NHS, Mount Vernon and the MacMillan nurses have been absolutely incredible

Round 2 starts next Friday.  I have no way of knowing how it will compare, but people with experience tell me it could be much worse.  What the hell, bring it on!

 

[jonwat]

Well done Sparky, my daughter in law has been going through this for the last 12 months for her breast cancer. She describes it as a year of hell to get her life back. Best of luck mate, I'm sure we're all with you.

[Sparky]

Wow, 12 months!  I feel for her.  The perfect sentiment - small price to pay for maybe another 20 years.

[Sparky]

Anyhow, some anonymous nutjob sent me this rather excellent mug!  Anyone on here want to own up?

[Sparky]

That's 3 of the 4 rounds done!

[Sparky]

That's the chemotherapy finished!  Scan next week, then appointment 6 November to find out whether I'm clear or need more chemo.  I really wouldn't like to do that again; it's not a fun ride.