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{ 04 02 2010 }

Second Chemo cycle started

By Gillian

We saw one of the oncologists yesterday at Worcester Hospital, and she confirmed that Christopher’s blood tests showed that his liver function is back to normal. His yellow colour has also faded, so we’re confident that he’s now over the obstructive jaundice. His white cell count was also satisfactory. So that all means that he is able to have all three components of the ECF chemotherapy this cycle, including the epirubicin which they missed out last time. That’s the one that is particularly good at making one’s hair fall out, so he will have that to contend with this cycle. The oncologist also confirmed that they’re going to tinker with the anti-emetic medicine this cycle, adding in a new drug Aprepitant and reducing the steroid dose. That should reduce the likelihood of another psychotic episode.

We had a message from Cheltenham hospital last night, confirming that they had a bed available for him for tonight, and that’s where he is now. We went down there this morning, and he immediately started the pre-hydration and flushing of his kidneys with a saline drip, with the gubbins plumbed into the PICC line in his left elbow. I left him there after lunch, and they have subsequently started him on the epirubicin with the cisplatin to follow overnight. Again, those will go in via the PICC line. Then there will be more saline drip, and if all goes well they will plug him back into the 5-FU pump and let him out tomorrow morning.

Posted by Gillian on Thursday, February 4, 2010, at 4:10 pm. Filed under cancer. Follow any responses to this post with its comments RSS feed. Both comments and trackbacks are currently closed.

{ 6 } Comments

  1. sue hawkins | 5 February 2010 at 3:27 am | Permalink

    Hi Gillian and Chris! Best wishes for both of you on a smoother round this time around. Gillian, I don’t know if you’ll remember me but I stayed with you and Chris twice with D.S.Wenk some years ago now – much fun and great food was had. Thses visits were at Gt. Malvern and your place near the hill fort..?

    Anyway, those Wenks are my second family and I’m sending you my best.

    —sue h

  2. icyjumbo | 5 February 2010 at 1:25 pm | Permalink

    Sue, how nice to see you commenting here on the blog. I (Chris) know that Gillian remembers you, as I mentioned that you had made contact through Flickr.

    I know what you mean about the second family. They are lovely people, aren’t they?

  3. Hugh W | 5 February 2010 at 9:39 am | Permalink

    Hi both,

    Heard about this yesterday from a mutual friend. If I can do anything to help just give me ring, I am in the book (its a Leigh Sinton number).

    Hugh

  4. icyjumbo | 5 February 2010 at 1:26 pm | Permalink

    Thanks Hugh, that’s a very kind offer. In the absence of a more concrete call for help, it would be great if you could continue reading the blog and commenting when the mood/inspiration takes you. I find that having an audience keeps me positive and upbeat, which has turned out to be the main benefit of the blog, not the central news service aspect.

  5. David Allsopp | 5 February 2010 at 11:25 am | Permalink

    Hi Chris & Gillian,

    Sounds encouraging, hope all went well at hospital.

    Hope the hair thing isn’t too bad – I’m sure we can lend you a fleecy hat 😉

    Cheers,

    David.

  6. icyjumbo | 5 February 2010 at 1:28 pm | Permalink

    The in-laws are way ahead of you! I have a couple of new hats. One stripy to match the socks, and the other cashmere for extra warmth. I’ve already made a lot of use of the cashmere one.

    And if all else fails, there is the Team QinetiQ hat 🙂