Re: Chemo first round completed


"Quentin Grady" <quentin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:iobng4tgvmms2gdd8bs7lhvmimbo5dlsvh@xxxxxxxxxx
G'day G'day Folks,

I'm home safe and sound. The chemo took three hours not the
expected one and half. Another patient and partner were concerned
about the patient's iron levels. They equated tiredness with iron
levels and needed reassurance. Nice that they got it but annoying that
it delayed the start of my chemo. The person they needed to talk to
was their GP. Anemia has three common causes, shortage of iron and
folic acid or the factor needed to ensure absorption of Vit B12, the
so called intrinsic factor. After that it there are the less common
causes, cancers. It was interesting to see how some people equate
anemia and iron as if it is a one to one correlation.

Whatever. Then it took a while to find a suitable vein. Once we got
started everything went smoothly. No bleeds. Fortunately I've never
had a chemical bleed under the skin which causes burning etc.

Part way through I had to make a dash for the loo. Thankfully I was
warned of the pink pee phenomenon. One of the chemicals is bright red
and really does go straight through. Oh, this time I had CEOP not
CHOP like last time. O stands for vincristine. P for prednisone.

Has it all been a success?

Well not yet. I had hoped the swelling would go down rapidly as it
did last time. Not this time unfortunately. This could be because the
swelling is in the feet and it takes much longer for fluid to return
from there. One has to exercise the ankles if I recall correctly.

I have a nurse dedicated to me and she has told me that it is a matter
of patience. It may happen in a few days or maybe even with the next
round. That is due in three weeks and there are likely to be four
rounds. The oncologist decides depending on progress. They might
change the formula.

Fortunately I've had no nausea. Although I thought I had mistakenly
taken the ondansetron last night when I should have waited till this
morning it now appears on rereading the instructions that I had it
right all along.

Last night I had a superb light meal with friends at a Lao restaurant.
My favourite was a FRESH spring roll. We also had something called
The Great Wall of China. Fish and asparagus wrapped in seaweed.

My notes assure me I need a diet rich in potassium, calcium and
protein. Fortunately avocados are still available, huge well
flavoured strawberries are becoming cheaper and we make homemade plain
yoghurt.

The only disturbing part is I appear to have a black string like
annoyance in my left eye. The nurse assures me it not associated with
the chemo. I suspect high blood glucose and steroid. All it took was
a jolt while out shopping in a supermarket putting together the things
I needed to make it through this next phase. Is it likely to be a
bleed?

Let me know if what factual knowledge you have about it.

Today I had a good session with a student. Tomorrow I go to the
Farmers' Market and then spend time with friends in the country while
my wife spends time displaying her soy candles at a huge fair, the
largest one around.

Best wishes,
--
Quentin Grady ^ ^ /
New Zealand, >#,#< [
/ \ /\
"... and the blind dog was leading."

http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/quentin

When I got home from the hospital after recovering from congestive heart
failure, my feet and ankles would swell very easily.

My home nurse had me take a double dose of diuretics daily and lay with my
feet elevated on several pillows for 15 minutes every hour or so.

That worked great. Got the swelling down quickly and kept it down.

I imagine you already know this, but in case you don't you may want to ask
your doctor or nurse about trying it.

Don


.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Chemo first round completed
    ... The chemo took three hours not the ... Another patient and partner were concerned ... about the patient's iron levels. ...
    (alt.support.diabetes)
  • OT: Chemo first round completed
    ... The chemo took three hours not the ... Another patient and partner were concerned ... about the patient's iron levels. ... No bleeds. ...
    (alt.support.diabetes)
  • Re: OT: Chemo first round completed
    ... about the patient's iron levels. ... it delayed the start of my chemo. ...  No bleeds. ... My notes assure me I need a diet rich in potassium, ...
    (alt.support.diabetes)
  • Re: Chemo first round completed
    ... Quentin Grady" wrote in message ... The chemo took three hours not the ... about the patient's iron levels. ... No bleeds. ...
    (alt.support.diabetes)
  • Re: To Iron or Not to Iron
    ... "Asians have the highest iron levels" .. ... DO Asians have such high iron levels .. ... Sadly it leaves the iron causes all disease because people eat meat ...
    (sci.med.nutrition)
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