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| Appointments: | 04-Jul-02 | 09-Jul-02 | 12-Jul-02 | 13-Jul-02 | 16-Jul-02 | 17-Jul-02 | 26-Jul-02 | 27-Jul-02 | 31-Jul-02 |
| 4
JULY 2002 University College Hospital - Nassau Street - Radiotherapy Clinic |
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Saw Dr Cassoni and also Dr Charles Gillham (Charlie). The PET scan had showed up something in my left shoulder and right hip, which they couldn't identify. I would need another bone scan. My chemo starts Friday, they wouldn't delay that for the bone scan result as it wouldn't change between now and then. |
| 9
JULY 2002 University College Hospital - Mortimer Street |
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Had hospital transport and it took 3.5 hours for a journey that normally takes between 1 and 2 hours. Missed my appointment - was told that the radioactive gloop had been destroyed and they'd have to slot me in and make up some more. Not my fault just one of those things. Had to wait 3 hours after the injection, and had my scan at 4.45pm instead of 10.00am! Doctor came in and asked if I'd had a fall or trauma at all. Strange?!?! Although I have had a couple at work so asked HR to find out details for me and I'd report back to my consultants (what it is to have three specialists looking after me!).
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| 12
JULY 2002 University College Hospital - John Astor House - Foley Street - London |
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Here it is - chemo starts! The day I'd dreaded was here. I was on my own and feeling a tad frightened about what was going to happen. The other people in the hospital transport all said it wasn't too bad. There was no one in there under 70! Made me feel like a spring chicken. They couldn't find a vein, again. Three nurses tried six times. Finally it worked, just as a Doctor came in to try it, they had phoned him and he'd come across from the other hospital to try. He sat down and mentioned that a Hickman Line might be something to think about. This is a permanent line, which goes in near your heart and comes out near your shoulder. I'm not too keen on this, as I don't like the idea of it being there permanently whilst you have your chemo, but it would save all the injections. I'm going to see how it goes next time and see then. It took four hours to pump it into me. I was given steroids and anti-sickness tablets to take home and some reading material. When I got home I felt tired, shaky and had a headache. Not sick though which I hoped was a good sign! |
| 13
JULY 2002 Home |
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Woke with a headache. Felt tired but OK. Mouth sore, like I've been blowing up hundreds of balloons. Coffee tastes awful, tea OK. I took 18 tablets today - beating John's daily dose easily! Had sicky type symptoms but not actually sick. Not sure if that's worse, at least if you're sick you feel better afterwards! |
| 16
JULY 2002 Park Street, London - Mr Briggs |
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Mr Briggs asked me when I was going to start my chemo. I said I'd started it on Friday and had my first session. He said "for someone who's just been pumped full of poison, you're looking really well". This made me feel good as I wasn't feeling too hot over that weekend. I had a couple of x-rays done there and he said there was a slight improvement already. My bone was originally very cloudy and hardly any white. I still have to walk with my frame (Zimmer) and he would decide next time I go whether I have to continue with it for longer. It's almost a part of me now and I always have it within easy reach. |
| 17
JULY 2002 Home |
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Headache still there, also a sick feeling again. Mouth very sore, with ulcers. I've got some tablets to suck from the Doctor, they are vile! However they work, even if they do give you different side effects. Got really bad pains in my head, shoulders, back and tops of my arms. I asked Charlie about this and he said not a known side effect, however if it happens again then it's chemo related. If it doesn't it's not. Technical medical explanation I think!! |
| 26
JULY 2002 Ashford Hospital - Middlesex |
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Blood test day - post chemo. Couldn't find a vein first time. 2 attempts, not too bad. They asked how many chemo sessions I'd had….only one!! They said my veins were hardening already. It is a side effect I didn't know about, the same as hiccups! |
| 27
JULY 2002 Home |
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Still got headache. Hair is starting to fall out now. Quite a lot sometimes. I dread brushing my hair more each day. Every bin in the house is full of my hair. I didn't realise quite how thick it was! |
| 31
JULY 2002 Ashford Hospital - Middlesex |
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Another blood test - pre chemo. Only one attempt to find a vein this time - yippee!!! |
