Chemo 4

Just back from the hospital after 4th infusion.  Saw the doctor first and apparently the tingling that went up to my lower abdomen last time was v ery excessive, grade 3 neuropathy.  Useful conversation about the blood count, which is at its lowest at 7 - 10 days, and rather amusing because that is just before I stop the chemo tablets, at which stage Dave decided we were safe from midnight treks to the hospital, and has been enjoying a drink in the evenings!  The count climbs slowly over the next 10 days and does a sudden climb to normality just before the next infusion.  I was at a count of 1.2 for neutrophils on Monday and up to 4.5 today.  Anyway the upshot of all this is that, at my suggestion, I was re-weighed today and was 3 Kg lower than when they calculated my surface area! I wasn't surprised, because when they weighed me at my first consultation it was about a week before the anastomsis was stretched.  Can't quite imagine what 3 KG of poo looks like and don't really want to know, but today my prepared infusion was reduced from 500mls to 350mls.  Minimal tingling  under cold water, no gloves, no coat to leave the hospital, and no voice change. Admittedly the car was registering 23 deg, but I do feel so much better, and optimistic about enjoying the family more than I had expected.  I have always said I was being poisoned. 

They have gone off to the Dinosaur park this afternoon, using the Tesco tokens I got them for Africa Live, so now I'll cash in some more for the end of next week and get enough to cover Dave and I as well.

Mary-ann and the boys have had a bit of a stomach bug, which could have come from Wales.  I mentioned to the doctor that we would going to get antiseptic wipes for the taps etc, as little Joe is fiercely independent about using the toilet.  'No good', says the doctor, 'diarrhoea bugs thrive in acid and are cleaned off with soap and water'.  So there's a useful bit of information: another wrinkle in your bum' as Rose would have said.