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.

Best wishes,
--
Quentin Grady ^ ^ /
New Zealand, >#,#< [
/ \ /\
In the US, there are a number of salt substitutes available that are
about half potassium. I used them for a few years when my doctor
was concerned with my blood pressure, but before my stroke and
diabetes diagnosis. I suspect that the same brands aren't available
in your area, so I'll only mention that the ones containing potassium
chloride with some calcium glutamate added tasted like regular
salt to me, but the ones with only potassium chloride tasted
somewhat bitter to me.


.



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