Sunday, 1 September 2013

Post-Radiotherapy: Chemotherapy Cycle #02 Treatment #02 / Follow-Up with Pallative Care Specialist

Last week was kind of a week that was difficult to get through. After the 2nd Cycle’s 1st treatment (Post-Radiotherapy), I had swelling (water-retention) is both legs for about 2 days. My whole constitution was quite messy as well. There was general pain in the abdominal area and it did not go away despite the Fentanyl patch and morphine. One of the side effects of the Fentanyl and morphine is constipation and it finally started to happen. I was not able to eat well and sleep well despite the lethargy.

On Thursdays (29th August), I went for my blood test and the nurses also notice that I am generally not myself and they notice my tiredness too. This is in consideration that I am generally stoic and normally jovial whenever I go to the clinic.

That same day, I had an appointment with my Palliative Care Specialist and we reviewed my condition, my medication, dosages, etc. This was when I found out that part of the contributing factor towards the pain was probably the constipation and that I would need to start on my constipation medication and also to go back to the medication regime previously prescribed as on my part, I had try to reduce the dosage as much as possible. Out of a “no choice” situation, I had to stick with the original prescriptions/regime and also start on the laxative for the constipation.

As the blood test result was positive, the platelet count was 120+ and thus we proceeded with the chemotherapy on Friday (30th August). God is good to me. Following the prescription and some precautionary steps, the water retention was really quite minimal (almost none). I was very tired for the first 2 days but today was kind of good and I was able to move about and spend some time with Josie and Nathan. I will have to monitor myself for the next few days and see how my constitution will be like and hopefully continue to be well enough for my 2nd Cycle’s 3rd treatment.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him, all creatures here below,
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Amen.

In God We Trust and in Christ alone my hope is found.

Hebrews 11:10

1 comment:

  1. Dear brother, you've gone on before me to the wonderful place where death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore.

    Will miss your cheerfulness and your great guitar playing on this earth.

    ReplyDelete