Deb (with Andy) on 18 August after 2 weeks of treatment
2 week of combined radio/chemo therapy now complete.
Deb still only has minor side effects. She has not had any hair loss and no sickness or vomiting. Here is a list of some of side effects she has had (not sure if these are due to the steroids, the radiotherapy or the chemotherapy - or the tumour.)
Oral infection (thrush - from steroids)
Red spots under the skin (only one of two on hands and arms)
Inability to sleep or stay asleep (steroids)
Dizziness (From radio/chemotherapy)
Tingling sensation in left shoulder, head and face (radio/chemotherapy)
Blurry vision (steroids)
Occasional ringing in the ears
Muscle weakness in legs
Frequent urination
Face swelling (steroids)
Hot flushes
On Friday 15 August Deb had her second blood test. The results were all in the normal range or higher eg
WBC count = 13.2 K/uL (reference range 4.1 - 10.9 K/uL)
RBC count = 4.27 M/uL (reference range 4.2 - 6.3 M/uL)
Today saw consultant oncologist, Andrew Chan (the same doctor we saw last week; Professor Jones was back at work but because next Monday is a bank holiday they were trying to see an extra number of patients. It seems wrong to me that because its a bank holiday Deb will not have her radiotherapy and the doctors clinics are in chaos trying to fit 2 days into one. If Tesco can open you would think the Radiotherapy Unit could be staffed. Treatment for cancer seems more important than buying a cabbage.) Because of the scrum in the Cancer Centre, the meeting with the doctor was a bit rushed but he asked Deb about her side effects and he confirmed that the blood test was good. Next week's review will be on the Tuesday in the Neuroscience Department. Because they will be very busy we agreed that after the blood test results we would consult Claire (Oncology Nurse) and if Deb felt OK and bloods were good we would not need to attend.
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