Morning all. A brief update. I've now completed 4 sessions of chemo and immunotherapy. The sessions are gruelling, 50 hrs each one, but I can report that the pain I've had for over 16 months has gone, virtually. I had been prescribed 56 painkillers a week, with top-ups if required. Last week I had a total of 10! I have just 2 chemo sessions left, 25th Nov & 9th Dec. I now think the MRI will take place in the NY. Finally, as you may remember, my weight plummeted to 60 kg, I'm pleased to report I'm now 73 kg, and have a rampant appetite. I still suffer from the 'chemo' rash, which is really irritating, but it's a small price to pay. Live, Love, Laugh and Be Happy xx Malc.
Morning all. A brief update. I've now completed 4 sessions of chemo and immunotherapy. The sessions are gruelling, 50 hrs each one, but I can report that the pain I've had for over 16 months has gone, virtually. I had been prescribed 56 painkillers a week, with top-ups if required. Last week I had a total of 10! I have just 2 chemo sessions left, 25th Nov & 9th Dec. I now think the MRI will take place in the NY. Finally, as you may remember, my weight plummeted to 60 kg, I'm pleased to report I'm now 73 kg, and have a rampant appetite. I still suffer from the 'chemo' rash, which is really irritating, but it's a small price to pay. Live, Love, Laugh and Be Happy xx Malc.
Good news Red...is the 50 hours session in hospital? That does sound gruelling.
Great news. 50 hours really is a marathon. I thought my 8 hour sessions were long enough. Great it's having a beneficial and keep posting. Best wishes and prayers
@redman - Glad to hear your chemo is working and controlling things as hoped, but certainly hope your oncologist is erring on the conservative side with his long term prognosis. As for Charlton being promoted, miracles take a little longer!!
@Redmidland - This all sounds very hopeful, and I'm sure you are relieved your appetite has returned. Yes, the timetable for your MRI has been extended a bit, but if that pushes back your next visit to The Valley, at least the weather may be a little warmer.
Good luck to both of you, and to anyone else battling this rotten disease in all its many forms.
Morning all. A brief update. I've now completed 4 sessions of chemo and immunotherapy. The sessions are gruelling, 50 hrs each one, but I can report that the pain I've had for over 16 months has gone, virtually. I had been prescribed 56 painkillers a week, with top-ups if required. Last week I had a total of 10! I have just 2 chemo sessions left, 25th Nov & 9th Dec. I now think the MRI will take place in the NY. Finally, as you may remember, my weight plummeted to 60 kg, I'm pleased to report I'm now 73 kg, and have a rampant appetite. I still suffer from the 'chemo' rash, which is really irritating, but it's a small price to pay. Live, Love, Laugh and Be Happy xx Malc.
Good news Red...is the 50 hours session in hospital? That does sound gruelling.
The first 8 hrs are in hospital. They then attach a 'chemo' pump to a PICC line I currently have permanently going into my arm, just above my elbow. This pump then continues to dispense chemo into me night and day for 42 hrs. Whilst it's on, I can't shower or bathe, I even have to sleep at night with it, for 2 nights, but it is awkward, as it 'hangs' off the PICC line. Basically, wherever I go, it goes. After it's empty a district nurse arrives, removes the pump, cleans the PICC line, redresses the wound and I wait for the next session. The awkward thing is, the pump hangs off my left arm, I have a 'stoma' bag on my right side, so trying to lay down and sleep without disturbing either is somewhat of a skill I've developed!
Morning all. A brief update. I've now completed 4 sessions of chemo and immunotherapy. The sessions are gruelling, 50 hrs each one, but I can report that the pain I've had for over 16 months has gone, virtually. I had been prescribed 56 painkillers a week, with top-ups if required. Last week I had a total of 10! I have just 2 chemo sessions left, 25th Nov & 9th Dec. I now think the MRI will take place in the NY. Finally, as you may remember, my weight plummeted to 60 kg, I'm pleased to report I'm now 73 kg, and have a rampant appetite. I still suffer from the 'chemo' rash, which is really irritating, but it's a small price to pay. Live, Love, Laugh and Be Happy xx Malc.
Good news Red...is the 50 hours session in hospital? That does sound gruelling.
The first 8 hrs are in hospital. They then attach a 'chemo' pump to a PICC line I currently have permanently going into my arm, just above my elbow. This pump then continues to dispense chemo into me night and day for 42 hrs. Whilst it's on, I can't shower or bathe, I even have to sleep at night with it, for 2 nights, but it is awkward, as it 'hangs' off the PICC line. Basically, wherever I go, it goes. After it's empty a district nurse arrives, removes the pump, cleans the PICC line, redresses the wound and I wait for the next session. The awkward thing is, the pump hangs off my left arm, I have a 'stoma' bag on my right side, so trying to lay down and sleep without disturbing either is somewhat of a skill I've developed!
For those interested - 2 photos below, 1 of the current permanent PICC line going into my left arm, and then the 'pump' which is filled with chemo and dispenses over 42 hours after my 8 hr stint in hospital.
Great news RM - its posts like that that make us all a little happier on what is really quite a hard read at times. You are an inspiration mate - keep going!
And quick shout out to everyone else on here battling this evil disease. Thinking of you all!!
Silly question red have you figured out how those pumps work. I never could and my oncologist nurse had no idea either
I've looked and asked the question it seems to work on vacuum. The "balloon" inside the pump holds the drug, and as the "balloon" contracts it pushes the chemo into the vein. That's as much as I know.
@Redman, I remember meeting you in Sri Lanka a few years ago and I hope to see you at another cricket venue somewhere in the world so you keep fighting this and it'll happen.
@Redmidland, I don't think we've ever met but I've beeen following your posts on here for years and you've been thruogh the wars. I want to carry on seeing your excellent posts for many years to come.
Anyone else with this horrible condition, keep fighting and stay positive. My mum got through cancer in her late seventies and is still going strong at 88, so even age isn't as much of a barrier as it used to be.
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Long may you continue to feel & be better Malc ♥️
@Redmidland - This all sounds very hopeful, and I'm sure you are relieved your appetite has returned. Yes, the timetable for your MRI has been extended a bit, but if that pushes back your next visit to The Valley, at least the weather may be a little warmer.
Good luck to both of you, and to anyone else battling this rotten disease in all its many forms.
The awkward thing is, the pump hangs off my left arm, I have a 'stoma' bag on my right side, so trying to lay down and sleep without disturbing either is somewhat of a skill I've developed!
Best wishes.
And quick shout out to everyone else on here battling this evil disease. Thinking of you all!!
@Redmidland, I don't think we've ever met but I've beeen following your posts on here for years and you've been thruogh the wars. I want to carry on seeing your excellent posts for many years to come.
Anyone else with this horrible condition, keep fighting and stay positive. My mum got through cancer in her late seventies and is still going strong at 88, so even age isn't as much of a barrier as it used to be.