Update on oggbashan's health

[oggbashan]

Boring four and a half hours of chemotherapy into right arm today: steriods, five minute flush, anti-nausea, five minute flush, chemotherapy; five minute flush and home with two sets of pills and five injections to do over next six days.

Only side effects from previous session: one day of tiredness and slight expansion of bald spot and thinning of beard neither really noticeable except to me cleaning sink plughole.

 

[Handley_Page]

Boring four and a half hours of chemotherapy into right arm today: steriods, five minute flush, anti-nausea, five minute flush, chemotherapy; five minute flush and home with two sets of pills and five injections to do over next six days.

Only side effects from previous session: one day of tiredness and slight expansion of bald spot and thinning of beard neither really noticeable except to me cleaning sink plughole.

Only 4.5 hours ?
Good Luck mate.

 

[oggbashan]

Today I had pre-assessment for chemotherapy next Monday. All signs were good, but after I had left the results of the blood test came back - my white blood cells are too low so chemotherapy is delayed by a week.

That means a major reshuffle of grandchildren minding rotas for next Thursday (another pre-assessment) and Monday 25 November (rescheduled chemo) when we had arranged satisfactory cover for Monday 18th.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

 

[Handley_Page]

Today I had pre-assessment for chemotherapy next Monday. All signs were good, but after I had left the results of the blood test came back - my white blood cells are too low so chemotherapy is delayed by a week.

That means a major reshuffle of grandchildren minding rotas for next Thursday (another pre-assessment) and Monday 25 November (rescheduled chemo) when we had arranged satisfactory cover for Monday 18th.

Good Luck, mate

 

[OneAuthor]

That means a major reshuffle of grandchildren minding rotas for next Thursday (another pre-assessment) and Monday 25 November (rescheduled chemo) when we had arranged satisfactory cover for Monday 18th.

I hope the reshuffle works out for you.

Stay strong.

 

[oggbashan]

I had an urgent phone call from my doctor's surgery this afternoon.

They wanted me to come to the surgery to see a doctor - now!

But we have grandchildren with us and no alternative for them until the youngest daughter arrives at 6.30 - after surgery shuts.

My wife would have to drive me there because it is far too far for me to walk. She can't because of the grandchildren. I can't use a taxi because I would have real difficulty getting into one and I need my walker from the taxi to the surgery. I really need an escort because I am so unstable on my feet.

If I got there I would have to wait in the waiting room until a doctor is free. But low blood count means I am vulnerable to infections. The LAST place I should be is a surgery waiting room full of ill people!

They are sending a paramedic to my home - sometime...

 

[KeithD]

Hang in there.

 

[oggbashan]

Paramedic arrived after being sent to the wrong address and being redirected by my neighbours.

She was surprised that I knew all about my low blood count and that I was incredibly fit - for someone dying. All my other results are very good. The surgery had wanted me to go into hospital as an emergency admission but the hospital and I knew all about the blood count and neither they nor I was worried by it - concerned if it doesn't improve by next week but that is all.

She agreed that the last place I should visit is a surgery waiting room. I should stay away from anyone who might have an infection which I will do, and my daughter, arriving in just over an hour is a specialist in palliative care who knows more about cancer than my general practitioner.

Paramedic went away shaking her head because she and I had wasted our time. My blood/oxygen level is still at 100% - ridiculous for someone with lung cancer.

 

[KeithD]

Paramedic went away shaking her head because she and I had wasted our time. My blood/oxygen level is still at 100% - ridiculous for someone with lung cancer.

It wasn't a waste of time, I don't think. Best to err on this side of the curve.

 

[oggbashan]

It wasn't a waste of time, I don't think. Best to err on this side of the curve.

Except that I know I am dying. While I am reasonably fit, and currently my anti-infection mechanism is compromised, staying at home away from ill people such as in a doctor's surgery or in a hospital is the most sensible action.

Going to either might kill me sooner.

 

[KeithD]

Except that I know I am dying. While I am reasonably fit, and currently my anti-infection mechanism is compromised, staying at home away from ill people such as in a doctor's surgery or in a hospital is the most sensible action.

Going to either might kill me sooner.

True, but that doesn't make it a waste of time that they are doing what they can for you. They saw something that concerned them and reached out--and they sent someone to you. Sounds like the "what to do" has been clarified and moved forward.

 

[JamesMiehoff]

Low blood count is a serious and persistent issue with cancer and treatment. My father had several transfusions during his chemotherapy and afterwards. His blood count never fully recovered.

It really pained me that I was not able to give blood to help replenish what he had taken. In the US, they still have not found a good test for the prion that causes Creutzfeldt-Jakob (the human version of Mad Cow disease). Because I was in the UK during the height of the Mad Cow outbreak and I ate beef during those visit (I am a confirmed carnivore), I still can't give blood.

But you are right, the last place you need to be right now is a hospital admissions area.

Hang in there. You have a number of fans that still hang on your words of wisdom.

James

 

[oggbashan]

Looks OK.

I had pre-chemo tests today. Apart from blood test which takes some time to process everything else was acceptable - temperature, weight (apparently I have gained five kilos in a week!), blood pressure, pulse, respiration and blood/oxygen level is still at 100% which it shouldn't be for someone with lung cancer.

If the blood test was low I would have expected a phone call this afternoon - no phone call = OK for chemo on Monday.

 

[OneAuthor]

Looks OK.

I had pre-chemo tests today. Apart from blood test which takes some time to process everything else was acceptable - temperature, weight (apparently I have gained five kilos in a week!), blood pressure, pulse, respiration and blood/oxygen level is still at 100% which it shouldn't be for someone with lung cancer.

If the blood test was low I would have expected a phone call this afternoon - no phone call = OK for chemo on Monday.

That's great news. Keep us updated, good sir.

 

[Trinique_Fire]

Og....what to say except I'm glad I came back when I did. Sending you love and light for this leg of the journey.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

 

[TxRad]

Keep baffling them. As long as you do there is a fighting chance.

 

[oggbashan]

Keep baffling them. As long as you do there is a fighting chance.

Baffling them isn't difficult. I appear to be the only one they have ever seen with Lambert-Eaton Mysathenic Syndrome. I have to explain to most of the medical professionals what it is.

 

[Handley_Page]

Baffling them isn't difficult. I appear to be the only one they have ever seen with Lambert-Eaton Mysathenic Syndrome. I have to explain to most of the medical professionals what it is.

Point them at this, Ogg.

Thoughts & Prayers, my friend.

 

[JulianDelacourt]

As a long time lurker, I consider you our elder statesman. So sorry for what you're going through. I hope the chemo is successful. I admire your strength and that you still find time to pursue your passion of creative writing. Best wishes, friend.

 

[oggbashan]

As a long time lurker, I consider you our elder statesman. So sorry for what you're going through. I hope the chemo is successful. I admire your strength and that you still find time to pursue your passion of creative writing. Best wishes, friend.

Thanks to you for this (and thanks to my other friends).

Hope chemo is successful?

It might be but only to reduce the effects of Lambert-Eaton. It is palliative only, and optional because it can't cure me. The cancer I have is terminal. In a few weeks time, after a scan to see how far the cancer has progressed, the oncology consultant, I, and my medical daughter will consider whether the chemo is having any effect. If not? I'll stop. There is no point in having chemo if there is no benefit. It can't stop or cure this particular cancer. The best it might do is slow its progress and even that is dountful.

The decision to have chemo was finely balanced. If had experienced some of the distressing side-effects - I haven't except some hair loss - it would have been stopped. The only reason it was recommended was except for the Lambert-Eaton I am remarkably fit and active for my age.

But I will die fairly soon with or without the chemotherapy.

 

[oggbashan]

How to frustrate an Indian call centre...

I had a scam call on my landline from an Indian call centre.

He started off by asking 'How are you today?'

I responded 'I'm dying'.

That didn't stop him launching into his spiel about how cheap an offer they were making on insuring domestic appliances against breakdown.

I said 'They will last much longer than me.'

That did worry him. I didn't give him any bank details. I said it was pointless because my bank account will die with me.

He hung up.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

I had a scam call on my landline from an Indian call centre.

He started off by asking 'How are you today?'

I responded 'I'm dying'.

That didn't stop him launching into his spiel about how cheap an offer they were making on insuring domestic appliances against breakdown.

I said 'They will last much longer than me.'

That did worry him. I didn't give him any bank details. I said it was pointless because my bank account will die with me.

He hung up.

Glad to see you are at least in good spirits. Good going with the the scammer.

Wishing you well.

 

[Edward Teach]

Your attitude is inspiring, Ogg. I know a little of what you are going through and I wish the best for you.

Keith