OK so I have reached Day 2 of the 21 day Chemotherapy Regime.
Day 1 Wednesday 4th July
Admitted as a Day Case to the Chemotherapy Department at St Mary's Hospital. First I was weighed to ensure that I wasn't in fluid overload at the end of the session - I needed to weigh no more than 2 kg above this at the end of the session. My vital signs Temp, Pulse, O2 Sats, and BP were recorded as a baseline.
To ensure the fluid was going through my system I was then given some oral Frusemide and an Anti-Emetic to hopefully stave off any nausea once the Chemo drug was started.
A butterfly needle was inserted into the back of my left hand and a 50 ml Saline flush was set up to ensure patency of the vein. Then I was given:
1 Litre of hydrating fluid to ensure the kidneys are not damaged through the treatment - given by fluid pump over 1 hour. This included Potassium and Magnesium to make sure my natural electrolyte levels were not sent too off balance by the additional fluid intake.
A 50 ml Saline Flush
Then the Boris Beating Cisplatin given over the course of an hour. This is shielded from the light by being covered in a brown cover as it is photosensitive. I actually like to think it is also a disguise so Boris can't see it coming!
After another flush of saline drip a further 1 litre of hydrating fluid is given over an hour.
Then the Gemcitabine over 30 minutes, followed by another saline flush.
This meant I had a total of 3 litres of IV fluids over 6 hours!
Unfortunately, despite the Frusemide and multiple trips to the loo, the 'well ran dry' and I was still 3 kg over the desired weight after treatment. I was also drinking quite a lot due to the dry air (and because I was told to by my Diabetic Nurse.
Of course the steroid made my blood sugar shoot up and it was over 19.5 mmols at bedtime. I gave myself 20 units of insulin but it was still 19.8 mmols this morning. I sent a worrying email to Helen to see what she feels I should do.
I now have 3 days of Oral Steroids to take (deep joy for my Diabetes - NOT!). I also have some additional strong anti-emetic (anti-sickness) med's to take for a couple of days, and then some Metoclopramide to take as needed after that.
Fortunately, apart from a bit of initial fluid overload, the blood sugar spikes and feeling shattered (it had been a long day), I suffered no side-effects during or after the Chemo. I do have some minor bruising where the needle was but that is certainly not a problem.
No IV therapies now until Day 8 although I will need to have bloods taken the day before. I need a season ticket for St Mary's I think. Fortunately I do have free parking with my Blue Badge but I am somewhat miffed that the WiFi isn't free in the chemo department.
Next report as and when I feel up to it.
