Chemotherapy Cycle 6 (or 10 if you are counting from the start)

There is light at the end of this tunnel.

Overall, it feels lighter than the first set (four cycles in July/August 2020) and the first four rounds of this set. My oncologist has reduced the dosage by 25% which means the side effects are not as severe when I come home after my first infusion and then are on the pump for two days.

For the first four rounds, I would walk back to the car, pale as a sheet, wobbly on my feet and ready to barf as Abbie drove home. I would climb straight into bed and then sleep for the night. By day 3 and disconnection from the pump, I was still fatigued and with low energy. It took another two days to pick up and then by day 6 & 7 I would prepare to go back to work.

The reason behind the change after these first four cycles of set two was not only the increased side effects but also the fact that my platelet count dropped below the safe zone. A high count above 100 is the usual target that the oncologist was happy with, but my platelet count was below 105 for cycle 5. This meant that if I went through that cycle, my platelets would drop well below 70 or less and I would suffer constant bleeding nose, bruising from slight knocks and any cut or abrasion would see me bleed constantly. Thus the oncologist postponed cycle 5 and sent me home for further rest and recuperation.

My platelet count the following week returned to above 180, which gave me the runway for cycle 5 and 6. I hope that takes me through to the last two cycles. The reduction in dosage has seen me return to some sort of normality. Abbie commented after the dosage change that I had colour back in my cheeks, no wobbles and no violent nausea. Whilst energy was still low, I only slept for a few hours when I got home.

So, the last two cycles will be 13th May and then 27th May, all things staying the same. After that, approximately a one month break and then a final surgery to reverse my stoma and ileostomy. I should have the surgery confirmation by the 24th May. I hope this journey will end by early to mid-July, just in time for winter!!

So close to the end, and thus time is all I have to be patient with.

Cheers

Merc