12 January 2009 - 4th Cycle of Chemotherapy

Following last week's low platelet count we returned to the hospital today for further blood test. Results:

White blood cells - 9.1 K/uL (reference range 4.1 - 10.9)
Red blood cells - 4.0M/uL (reference range 4.2 - 6.3)
Platelets - 308 K/uL (reference range 140 - 440)

An excellent result. We did not see Dr Sanghera (the clinic was very busy) but saw his registrar instead. He prescribed the chemotherapy at the same dose as for the previous cycle (380 mg per day).

We also discussed Deb's steroid dose. It was agreed that she would drop from the current dose of 1.5 mg to 1.0 mg per day. We tried this before and went back up to 1.5 when Deb started to get more severe headaches. We will see how it goes.

Deb has received an appointment for a further MRI scan. This will take place at the Edgbaston Hospital ( a private hospital near the QE) on 29 January. We are not sure if this is the spectroscopy MRI scan or the next routine scan.

I need to lose weight!

START WEIGHT = 13 st 4 lbs
TARGET WEIGHT = 12 st 4 lbs
CURRENT WEIGHT = 13 st 1 lbs

A good start - 3 lbs in the first week. But we all know this is the easy part. Will power is strong (apart from the cheese).

5 January 2009 - Appointment at Queen Elizabeth Hospital

5 January 2009 - Deb sat on bed with a cup of tea and a Welsh cake

Today was supposed to be the start of Deb's fourth cycle of chemotherapy. We went to the QE and Deb had her usual blood test. The important results were:

White blood cells - 13.6 K/uL (reference range 4.1 - 10.9)

Red blood cells - 3.98 M/uL (reference range 4.2 - 6.3)

Platelets - 97 K/uL (reference range 140 - 440)

When we saw Dr Sanghera he was particularly concerned with the platelet count (platelets are tiny cells in the blood that help it to clot. They are made in the bone marrow and usually survive for only 7 - 10 days). The chemotherapy drug is designed to attack cells that are dividing quickly and therefore can have side effects on the short lived cells in the blood. It is recommended that chemotherapy is deferred if platelet levels fall below 100. Dr Sanghera therefore decided to delay the next cycle of chemotherapy for one week and we return to the hospital next Monday for a further blood test. He was concerned that we need to ensure that Deb's chemotherapy dose is appropriate and is not having too severe an effect on her body. To continue with the chemo now may reduce the platelet count even further and lead to significant problems. Fred (Macmillan nurse) said we should not be downhearted at this. It was routine and frequently happened.

We also discussed Deb's palpitations (or arrhythmia as Dr Sanghera called them). During an episode which lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours Deb's heart rate rises to between 185 - 190 per minute and her blood pressure drops to a figure that cannot be measured on our monitor. Deb has had these palpitations for a long time but before diagnosis of the tumour they happened once or twice a year. Now they seem to be happening once or twice a month. (She had one on the evening of our party - just as people were leaving). Dr Sanghera said these were not related to the tumour or the treatment but did need to be treated and we should go to see our GP.

3 January 2009 - Open House at the Eatons

Some pictures of family and friends at our house on the 3 January.

The purpose of the day was for Deb and myself to say thank you to everyone who has given us support over the last year. Not just practical help but more importantly emotional support and friendship at a difficult time. This is a gift beyond value. We are truly luckly to have so many family and friends who care.

Thanks to you all.

I need to lose weight!

This picture taken on New Year's Eve tells the story. Years of idleness and binge eating have taken their toll and I need to lose weight fast.

I toyed with the idea of taking a proprietary slimming compound - just vitamins and essential nutrients in a milkshake - but I have been convinced this is too drastic. So I will lose weight by taking the simple step of eating less and exercising more. If this does not work I may have to resort to the vitamins and water diet.

In a determined attempt to make me say no to that second bowl of pasta, I have decided to broadcast my weight loss on the blog. You can all share in my successes and failures as month by month I strive for a slimmer fitter me. My aim is to lose a stone in weight. I start today.

START WEIGHT = 13 st 4 lbs

TARGET WEIGHT = 12 st 4 lbs

CURRENT WEIGHT = 13 st 4 lbs