The going gets tough...the 2nd chemo

        Today is my 2nd Chemo followed by radiation. It starts off by the nurse putting the branula in place followed by a constant drip of 500ml NaCl  0.9 % Sodium Chloride Intravenous Infusion for almost 1 hour plus. I can see 3 bottles of this stuff on my table. So work it out ...how long it will take ? When the first bottle on NaCl is finished the main chemo called Cisplatin is then dripped. This is where the discomfort starts. The chemo today is a bit more tiring than my last. The process is taking slower to complete than the previous session.There seems to be discomfort in my left wrist and my left hand is pretty cold and numb.My left pinky finger is also painful, do not from what?... Massaging the hand and fingers helped a bit but the best thing to do was to take out my laptop and start writing this  blog.

Left Hand Inop

My Left hand

Most of the pain originates from boredom as there is nothing to do while chemo takes place!! I cant use my left hand so this is written with one finger right handed.

       Dr Lum was here a short while ago we had a lively conversation about my therapy and the progress I was making. I was told in no uncertain terms that the journey is going to get tough and that I need to be mentally and physically ready for it.Well I am ready for it but how well I cope remains to be seen. 3rd week onward is critical. I am in my 2nd week !! Saw the guy next to me in his 3rd week and he looked wretched.Wow! What about me in 3 weeks ?? Will keep all of you updated.
       I am due for 6 chemo and 35 radiation over 7 weeks. I have so far done 2 chemo and 4 radiation session. The chemo is slotted for every Monday and the radiation every day Mon-Fri for 7 weeks. Any session missed during the weekday is replaced on the same Sat, like what is going to happen this week due yesterday,Mon, being a public holiday. Its almost 13:00 and I am almost done with the chemo session. There is still 1 more bottle of the saline solution to go. Something strange also happening. I am going to the washroom to ease my self more than usual.This is because of the chemo and the saline solution that has been dripped for the last 4 hours needs to be expel from the body. Boy oh boy!! The kidney need to work over time !!

Strong Anti Vomit Pills

      Yeah I forgot to mention. Just before you start the chemo, they will give you Emend tablets to take. This manages one of the side effects of the chemo which is nausea. I heard its a costly pills.....Well nothing is cheap for good medication.
I got into a discussion with Dr Lum whether a heart by pass procedure is cheaper or cancer treatment. Well we never reached a consensus in the end. I think some doctors out there can shed some light on this topic.

      Today was a long long day. By the time I finished and looked at the time is was well past 1530hrs. Chris was waiting for me at the car park. She had gone shopping for plants at Sungai Buloh. We wanted to plant a willow tree out side the house, We had bought the pots last month and now it needed a plant.
      So how did I feel at the end of it all ?? Pretty Good. Not much side effects of the chemo today and I am still full of energy.