Well, what a deeply unpleasant week this has been.

[Chips]

Good luck with the treatment

[pjknibbs]

Well, things are looking up slightly--they've moved me onto a ward that's all individual rooms with en-suite and TV! Definitely an improvement over my first two nights here.

[greypanther]

That sounds a bit better, at least you will be a bit comfier. Also, they have moved quite fast, which has to be a good thing. Good luck with the treatment.

[ATTACK_HAMSTER]

Wishing you all the best PJ!

[Gavrushka]

Well, latest update: been moved into a different ward because the one I was in was essentially for initial assessment only. They're going to continue with steroid treatment over the weekend, with the plan to start chemo proper on Monday. So, likely to be in for most of next week even if all goes well.

Really sorry I never picked up on this thread earlier, but I do wish you a swift and positive route through this.

As a full time carer for someone with advanced cancer, I can promise you the darkest moment passed after you first heard the diagnosis. Every moment since has been about planning your full recovery. The one thing I can tell you is not to stay silent and passive going forward. Engaging the doctors with any tiny issues can give them a head start on quashing any possible complications before they become a problem.

I know you'll probably be feeling pretty crappy the day after the chemo started, but it will get easier. And it will work.

Post when you can, and take care.

[pjknibbs]

Well, update, the chemo didn't actually start yesterday because they were still waiting for blood results relating to the wound in my belly from the infection I had a month ago. I'm really hoping it starts today because I'm getting quite sick of being in hospital right now.

[EDIT] Well, just having the last of the five concoctions dripped slowly into my veins as we speak--going to take three or four hours to get it all in, they really take this one slowly. Spent a good half of the session asleep, the first drug they pump into you really zonks you out. Don't feel particularly bad right now, but sure there's plenty of time for stuff to develop over the next few hours!

[pjknibbs]

OK, finally just sitting waiting to be discharged and go home. Going to be on a huge cocktail of drugs for the foreseeable so they need to get those all put together for me, but with any luck will be sitting in my own home before this evening. I haven't really noticed any major side effects of the chemo yet, although they tell me the hair loss doesn't usually start until after the second session, which is going to be in a bit over a fortnight's time.

[Gavrushka]

Hope you did make it home!

Yeah, the side effects, even the 'common ones' are still unlikely to affect the majority. - But be vigilant. - Personal experience has underlined the oncologists are brilliant at treating the cancer, but there focus can be so tight-beamed that they miss some less-than-pleasant side effects which can be easily treated if spotted.

I'm sure you're using the downtime to have a little fun - the Steam sale is still on - and I'm happy to recommend a few great books if the fancy takes you.

[Redvers Ganderpoke]

Glad you're back home, hospital can be depressing.

[pjknibbs]

Thanks, guys. Yes, back home now--there's a limit to what I can do in the hospital with regard to playing games given how shite my laptop is, though! It definitely does feel like the lump is already smaller than it was, though, so something positive appears to be happening.

[Redvers Ganderpoke]

given how shite my laptop is

Fire up XBTF or XTension for some retro action I know X tension seems to work OK on Win 10 on an i5 2410 with intel graphics.

[Chips]

Glad you're back in home comfort; "There's no place like home" - and you can always watch the classics if gaming isn't on the cards

[Stars_InTheirEyes]

Hoping for the best for you mate

[Oldman]

Hi Paul,

I was really disheartened to read of your illness, I consider you to be one of the best kind of people on this forum, I really mean that.
Hopefully there will be a speedy recovery from this illness. My thoughts are with you, take care my friend.

Oldman

[Gavrushka]

How are you feeling now? You've treatment two next week, yes? I know it's often the case that your mental health can take a big knock as an unwanted side effect of the treatment, but simply knowing that can happen is often enough in itself to take the sharpest edges of tanking moods.

Keep us all posted if you can.

[pjknibbs]

Next treatment isn't until week after next AFAIK, but I'm seeing the doctor tomorrow so will hopefully find out for certain. Mind you, bit puzzled that they've booked me in for an echocardiogram (e.g. checking out my heart) on the 19th, they never mentioned that before...

[Gavrushka]

Ah, sorry, I know that with some treatments they do the first two a fortnight apart before going to four-weekly.

I'd guess the echocardiogram is to get a baseline to see if there's any deterioration as the treatment continues. And, yeah, they often seem to leave out little details, or drop bombshells out of the ether. - I had a 'well, the bone cancer has spread a little in the last 2 years' from the surgeon when my mum had never been told she had bone cancer prior to that...

[linolafett]

All the best for a decently quick recovery!

[pjknibbs]

Well, just had my post-chemo checkup. White blood cell count is way down (0.7 compared to 3 average), which is entirely expected at this stage but I definitely need to keep that mask on even after the 19th! Speaking of which, 19th is my second chemo session--doctor is reckoning they'll be able to do that one in a couple of hours, though, as compared to the 5 or 6 it took first time around.

[Terre]

Thinking of you, and hoping for progress.