So, I found out at my latest outpatient's appointment with the Oncologist that my first days Chemotherapy was a low dose to see how my MS would respond and if I could tolerate it. I wish he had told me that before I started it as I thought it was pretty much an easy ride.
That said, yesterday I had my first full dose, and apart from the fluid retention which delayed my discharge again, much to Ron's annoyance (and the additional dose of Ferusemide prescribed by Dr L - although this did work once I got home!).
Of course the additional benefit of having my Chemo was that on the hottest day of the year I was probably in the coolest place on the island - the delectably air conditioned Chemotherapy suite! It was certainly a popular place for any visiting staff from other departments and I noticed the difference outside the unit during my frequent trips to the loo!
No ill effects during the six hour session which included a total of 3 litres of IV fluids, including the Boris Busting Gemcitabine, and I was also having oral fluids and a couple of snacks so I could test my blood sugars and take some insulin to try to get on top of the steroidal effect. It was something of a losing battle though but as yet I have managed to keep the readings below 20 mmols, where as last time (without insulin) it reached 28.2 on one occasion. Of course I now have the 3 days of oral steroids (Dexamethasone) which will raise the sugars further, so I am doubling the dose of my pre-meal insulin to try to counteract this. Unfortunately both my Diabetic Nurses have been off today, but Jen has said to email them if I have any problems and she will get back to me - Practice Nurses are definitely born not made!
Side-effect wise I had a mild headache last night so went to lie down at 6pm, but today I was fine and managed two short drives out, firstly to Morrison's where I had a somewhat interesting experience. When I came out with my shopping I couldn't get to my rear car door due to an oddly parked (I would call it abandoned) older car which was left with its driver side door wide open. I suspect it might have been stolen and maybe used as a getaway vehicle, I reported it to the Trolley Guy who told the Security man - he came out and had a look at it and asked if that was how I found it. The radio was still in it and I left him to deal with it. He was going to make a call out in case it was a customer in the shop (maybe someone had got caught short - a Ferusemide tablet perhaps!). My car was undamaged and the only inconvenience was having to put my shopping in the other side.
My second trip was to Shanklin to collect my monthly supply of Rebif injections from my Pharmacy and get an eye patch for my left eye, which feels a little strange when I am watching TV in bed. Watery and slightly more blurry than normal, this could be due to the heat or an MS reaction, not serious but a slight annoyance and it doesn't come on when I'm driving.
I hope I feel OK tomorrow so I can go swimming - the Consultant says I should but also that I am now immuno-suppressed which will leave me open to the risk of infection so the Nurses say its possibly not a good idea. Anyway, if it is just swimming club we all have disabilities, there are very few of us and I have my own lane to swim in so I should be OK if I feel up to it.
Fingers crossed folks, more updates soon.
