How's it going?

Well without wishing to tempt fate, OK so far. We went to the hospital again on Monday and my bloods were fine, so we are continuing with the drug. I've had some skin problems on my face and hands, they have been extremely dry and uncomfortable but there is no sign of a rash. The pain in my leg has been changing almost on a daily basis. First it went, then it came back with a vengence and probably the worst I've ever had, then today it's calmed down again, I have more energy and I slept like a log. All I can do is record these things for the doctors and wait for the scan, which has had to be re-scheduled due to the delay caused by the rash.

So each day is different and a bit of a challenge but never boring!

Sheila x

Started Again

My bloods were good enough to restart the drug this week on a lower dose. So far so good, but it took 8 days for the rash to emerge last time, so it's early days.

Frank spotted his first "star" in London, somebody from Big Brother, it meant nothing to me, as I didn't watch the last series at all and think it's well past it's sell by date these days.

It's a bit strange being at home this week after all the galavanting to London, it feels like we're living in two places at the moment and because the appointments keep changing we're having trouble knowing what day it is too! We'll be glad when we settle into a routine again and be able to plan ahead.

Speak soon.
Sheila x

No Progress

Despite two visits to the hospital this week my platelet counts were too low to resume the treatment. We have to return on Monday and hope the counts have risen enough. A very frustrating week to put it mildly.

The only high point was my close encounter with a fox at the campsite, it strolled up to within about 10 feet of me and sat down and started washing itself. I was amazed, I have never been that close to a wild animal before, then a lumbering camper came along the path and that was that it was gone. Amazing though, it felt like if I'd had some food, it may have come even closer.

We went back down to Brighton for a break but the weather was dull, so we came home for a few days. Frank now has a cold, how do I avoid him????!!!!!

Come on England :-)

Sheila x

Not a good week

Well it was all going really well until Thursday.

On Wednesday we went to the hospital for the weekly check up, nothing to report, no real side effects, bloods OK, BP a bit high but no worries.

Thursday morning I woke up with a rash. At that point it wasn't too bad or extensive, but as time went on the rash spread and we made tracks back to the hospital. I was taken off the drug and can only wait for the rash to die back before resuming, probably next Wednesday when we are due to go again anyway.

The rash definitely got worse and extended over all of my body before it got better, but I'm pleased to say it is on the way out and Wednesday looks a realistic proposition. Of course there will need to be a decision taken on dosage, as it now looks like the current dose is too high, given the other reaction noted in the USA the week before. We shall see.

The good news is my leg pain seems to be improved, so I'm pleased with that.

All in all it's been a long week since Thursday!

Sheila x