Cycle Two

Ahem

I remember saying over the years…. how hard can it be? (Whatever it was…)

Irrespective of the situation I’ve always risen to the challenge. However in the case of Curzon v Chemo, I feel I am up against a practised opponent. After round 1 I thought I was just unlucky with side effects. Walking into the Day Unit I hoped the last cycles symptoms were just an abberation. Surely I’m not in the ‘lightening strikes twice’ category.

Opting out of the hair-saving freezer treatment, I hope things will be improved.

My recent white cell depletion, which necessitated an in-patient stay has picked up sufficiently for me to face my chemo dragon.

Infusion 1 gets underway, number 2 joins the party and hey-presto, I find my speech sliding off the table, followed by several other nasties (rather not divulge in this forum). But boy, its another cause for alarm. I’m suddenly jumping up in pain with extreme muscle cramps. Wonderful! Every time I come here I add to the list of unexpected adverse effects.

I look up the statistical info on the frequency of the side effects which I have had.

1 in 10 COMMON

Neutrapoenia (blood disorders)

Delayed diarrhoea (this is very nasty….)

1 in 100 UNCOMMON

breathing difficulties

Abdominal pain

1 in 1000 RARE

Muscular contraction/ cramps

Paresthesia, Vomiting

1-10,000 EXTREMELY RARE

Transient speech difficulties

I can add a couple of new ones not previously listed!!

This time I have extended side effects which drag on to the beginning of my next cycle.

However I have a charity concert which has been scheduled for a few weeks.

By the night before my concert I have a horrific throat and unspeakable mouth ulcers. The prospect of singing for a couple of hours fills me with dread. I realise though if we wait until the Sunday morning we could be stuck at A&E all day, and run into timing issues. We opt to go in Saturday evening. I am given IV antibiotics and other meds, and finally leave hospital at 4am.

No pressure. I manage with my 4 hours sleep and get up to get prepped for the event. Hair, make-up, dress. And a double check that I have all the words for the various songs I’m going to sing.

The evening was a spectacular success with a capacity audience and delights galore to tempt the pallettes and feast the eyes.

From an organisational perspective it was a major success and everyone had a superb evening. With full audience participation and guest artistes (Debbie Diamond and Miriam Kramer on violins) it brought a new level of professional mastery to an appreciative audience. This included parents from my children’s school, ladies from the wider community, Headteachers old and new, former work colleagues and friends both distant and near.

Below are some pictures from the evening.

We raise a substantial amount for various cancer charities which is heart-warming especially as I also have family affected by cancer, not just myself.

So I have a bit of a rest, completely a course of heavy duty antibiotics and additional meds.

Cycle 3 is scheduled for a week later.

Let’s see what it brings.

Jacqueline x