Hospital Today

Thought I'd better write about today's hospital visit, before I forget what's what..

Saw Dr P, who informed my that my bilirubin levels are almost back to normal now. Normal is 4-22. Mine's 24. Which, considering it was 250, at in January, is good!
We don;t know if it's because of the stent, or if the chemo's shrunk the tumours, so reduced the obstruction in my bile ducts. I suppose it's likely to be a combination of both.

While my bilirubin's gone down, other liver function results have gone up a bit, which could be cause for concern.
It could mean the capecitabine's not working as well anymore. Or it could be something else that's affecting it.
It's not great that they've gone up anyway. Liver scan's been ordered.

Over the past month or so, I've been having pain in my shoulder too. We know there are bone mets there, so it's likely that they're worsening too.
I'll be having a few blasts of radiation on my shoulder, to hopefully help with the pain.

Dr P's also referring me back to Nottingham City Hospital, now we know the Lapatinib/Tykerb trial's still open (for now). I just hope I'm still eligible for it, and I manage to get there before the trial closes.
While I was there, I got my prescription for cycle 6 of capeciatbine/Xeloda.

Not much else to report today.. I'm tired from hanging around the hospital all day.
Dr P was running behind, which I never mind, because I know he doesn't rush his patients. He always has plenty of time for us.
Then I had my zometa infusion. They found veins to take blood, and for the zometa, first time, which is quite unusual for me!

Six Months Ago Today...

I was having brain surgery!

I've just realised that it's 6 months ago today, I had my brain op.
My oncologist told me that the "damned lies and statistics" (ok, so he didn't say that) gave me 6-9 months to live.
I know the liver issues are more likely to do me in now, than the brain.. but who knows, really. I might get eaten by a giant mouse, next week!

Well, I've made 6, so far.
For a while, I really didn't think I would, but I have. And I'm not planning on going anywhere yet.. I have a new fish to look after, and holidays to plan!

Fishies & Harps

Right then, where are we?

Since I last blogged, I've bought a harp.. the musical variety.

I've wanted one forever, so I splurged my birthday cash (it was only a small, cheapy one, as far as harps go).
It's just lovely :) I've never attempted to play one before, so when I learned how to play Frere Jaques, I was a bit impressed with myself.
I was even more impressed with myself when I figured out part of Pachelbel's Canon (without music to follow). It's one of my favourite pieces of music, so now I'm on a bit of a mission to figure out the rest of it!

This is the harp. It's made from rosewood, and is very beautiful..




I've also got myself a fishy.. of the swimming variety, not the eating variety.
His name's Alfie, and he's a Betta. Also known as Siamese Fighting Fish. Also something else I've wanted for a while, but didn't want to lumber my dad with something else to look after (along with Dillon, my kitty) when I'm gone. I hate having to think that way, but that's how it is. But I've sourced alternative accomodation for him, should anything happen to me.

This is Alfie.. he's my bootiful blue boy..







I've been having some issues with the lymphodema in my left hand/arm (mainly my hand). My Macmillan nurse is coming to see me tomorrow, so I'm going to ask her to get me sent to the lymphodema clinic again, because I'm not convinced the sleeves and glove I've got (which I very rarely wear, because I don't usually need to) from a different lymphodema clinic, are even the right size!

I'll Be Glowing in the Dark Soon

The whole brain radiation ended two weeks ago, and passed quite uneventfully.
Since then, however, my hair's fallen out (we shaved the remainder off, a couple of days ago. I looked like the stereotypical cancer patient, with wispy, moth-eaten hair. And I was leaving a trail of hair everywhere), and I've been very tired.. sleeping for 10-12 hours per night, and falling asleep in the day, too. I'm hoping that's a side-effects of the WBR, rather than an effect of the cancer.

Tomorrow, I'll be having the last of four sessions of radiotherapy to my pelvis, to hopefully help with bone pain.

It's been a very busy four weeks, with having to visit hospital almost every day. And some days, having to flit between Sheffield and Nottingham hospitals.
It feels very much like all my life is about now, is cancer and hospitals. And I've been doing some serious soul-searching about it all, recently.

Yesterday, I had a bone scan (more radiation.. I'll be glowing soon!) and CT scan, at Nottingham City hospital. And on Monday, I'll be having a heart scan.
All these are to decide whether I'm suitable for the Tykerb/lapatinib trial.
If I am suitable, and I'm accepted onto the trial, I should be starting treatment next Thursday.. just in time for christmas!
Talking of which, this is the third christmas in a row, I've been bald. Still, I'd rather be bald and alive, than be dead with beautiful hair!

I hope this chemo wont make me ill for christmas.
I'm all too aware that this could well be my last christmas, and I don't want to spend it being ill, in bed.