Well, where to start.....?
Your blog comments these last few days have brought tears to my eyes - as I lay on the sofa the days before going into hospital, I felt so awful, I was sure I was on my way. It was actually quite a relief to be admitted to the oncology centre. Then I got all tearful again when I thought I was going home on Saturday - my neutrophylls had shot up to 9 - only to be told that they'd discovered a bug in my blood cultures and I couldn't go home until Sunday.
Anyway, being in hospital, we saw Dr Braybrooke sooner than expected and he gave us my scan results - the news is mixed and a bit disappointing. The tumours on my brain have responded well to the treatment but the ones on my liver haven't unfortunately. I feel that I ought to be devastated but I'm just so glad that my brain has responded to the treatment. What it means is all change to my treatment from the beginning of October. Dr B is going to give me a triple combination called MMM, which I'll have every two weeks. He'll give it three treatments then scan again. He still believes there's something he can try. Let's hope so.
Vicky x
Monday 24 September 2007
Thursday 20 September 2007
Irregular Post
Right guys, guest editor while big vicks is slightly indisposed up St Michaels Hill. This is coming from Grove Road where Martin and I are having the odd Groslsh (spelling boy - that's a hundred lines) or two whilst contemplating the price of bread and why Newcastle did so badly against Derby on Monday. Vicks having the works thrown at her, IV fluids, Cef and Met antibiotics and even some granulocyte stimulating growth factor - (pretty pricey) to make her white cells perk up a bit. Vicks is likley to be in the oncology centre until at least early next week. Plenty of support in the offing, Joan is in Bristol, Jac has just moved into the office next door to the ward, Anna on the way down and we had a call from Abs tonight and she is planning a stealth visit early next week. Big Martin doing well, though the state of his bowels after tonight's super chilli may affect the coming week.
Congratulations to Hannah, the good news is that she managed to smuggle a very handy salad into Vicks to supplement her meagre rations, and, on top of that a big pillow. The slightly unfortunate news is that Hannah's car was CCTV'ed in a consultant's parking space and the security team are on her tail (plus the entire UBHT consultant community).
Big thanks to Sarah who popped in earlier today and found Vicks sleeping. Some of you may not know but S edit the hit BBC series "who do you think you are?" mag. I think the answer you were looking for is "Vicky Weir" and she comes from Scotland (though she does have a lot of Sassernach blood in her these days).
Martin has v kindly bought V 3 pairs of pyjamas on the basis that at least 2 pairs would be unacceptable.
Anyway, looks like results imminent so will keep you all posted.
OK, got to go now, Jacqui back and unable to write without censorship - will keep you all posted on irregular basis - lots of love (lets hope I remember the passwords) Shane Martin and Jacqui
Congratulations to Hannah, the good news is that she managed to smuggle a very handy salad into Vicks to supplement her meagre rations, and, on top of that a big pillow. The slightly unfortunate news is that Hannah's car was CCTV'ed in a consultant's parking space and the security team are on her tail (plus the entire UBHT consultant community).
Big thanks to Sarah who popped in earlier today and found Vicks sleeping. Some of you may not know but S edit the hit BBC series "who do you think you are?" mag. I think the answer you were looking for is "Vicky Weir" and she comes from Scotland (though she does have a lot of Sassernach blood in her these days).
Martin has v kindly bought V 3 pairs of pyjamas on the basis that at least 2 pairs would be unacceptable.
Anyway, looks like results imminent so will keep you all posted.
OK, got to go now, Jacqui back and unable to write without censorship - will keep you all posted on irregular basis - lots of love (lets hope I remember the passwords) Shane Martin and Jacqui
Wednesday 19 September 2007
Floored...!
Hello all
Different author at this stop! We’ve had an eventful week. Vicky’s last entry left on her having a blood transfusion. Last Thursday. Well yet again it really didn’t live up to its reputation as an energy boost. In fact quite the opposite.
No sooner had John (the health care at home nurse) had packed up and left, Boom! There was a big change all right. Vicky said she felt sleepy. And went for a line down. And stayed there. Not like her as you all know.
Friday, was more of the same. She just didn’t seem to have any energy at all. Totally Floored. This was different, and a realization that this chemotherapy was for the first time on this journey really taking grip. I went to work for a few hours then pick Iona up form school and went home. Vicky was wrapped in a duvet on the sofa. Iona seemed to take it in her stride, she did ask why mummy was so tired and not doing anything. Then happily played albeit a bit quieter. Vicky even slept through England’s drubbing by South Africa (that probably was a blessing actually).
Saturday, Vicky had aches on her lower back, and still wasn’t eating much. The oral chemotherpy was getting very difficult to take as she must take them with food and she had completely lost her appetite.
Sunday we did manage to take Iona to Orla’s 6th Birthday. But it was a big effort for Vicky to stay. Two hours later Vicky was back home. Exhausted.
Vicky temperature had started to play up again. And it did go up and down during the weekend. 38.4 was worrying. So Monday sickness, Diahorra and loss of appetite were all taking it toll. Vicky had a CT scan on Monday afternoon. This had been planned by Dr Braybrooke. Results next Tuesday!
Finally on Tuesday went Ursula came to clean her line, and she decided to take some blood to check her levels. And within a few hours confirmed what we thought. Her Neutrophils (infection fighting) should be between 2 -8, Vicky’s were zero! And she was dehydrated. Hospital was our next stop. !!Luckily Joan had driven down that day to help, so she took over with Iona and I took V to the Oncology Centre.
And that’s where we’re at. They’re going to keep her in for a few days. Well until her Neutrophils are above 1. Also antibiotics and fluids. Dr B did phone last night (nice touch Dr B) and gave Vicky some fab news.. No more Oral chemotherapy for a while!!
I don’t get chance to say thanks on the blog, but every single entry gives V and me a huge lift so please keep posting.. They all mean a lot to us both. X
Different author at this stop! We’ve had an eventful week. Vicky’s last entry left on her having a blood transfusion. Last Thursday. Well yet again it really didn’t live up to its reputation as an energy boost. In fact quite the opposite.
No sooner had John (the health care at home nurse) had packed up and left, Boom! There was a big change all right. Vicky said she felt sleepy. And went for a line down. And stayed there. Not like her as you all know.
Friday, was more of the same. She just didn’t seem to have any energy at all. Totally Floored. This was different, and a realization that this chemotherapy was for the first time on this journey really taking grip. I went to work for a few hours then pick Iona up form school and went home. Vicky was wrapped in a duvet on the sofa. Iona seemed to take it in her stride, she did ask why mummy was so tired and not doing anything. Then happily played albeit a bit quieter. Vicky even slept through England’s drubbing by South Africa (that probably was a blessing actually).
Saturday, Vicky had aches on her lower back, and still wasn’t eating much. The oral chemotherpy was getting very difficult to take as she must take them with food and she had completely lost her appetite.
Sunday we did manage to take Iona to Orla’s 6th Birthday. But it was a big effort for Vicky to stay. Two hours later Vicky was back home. Exhausted.
Vicky temperature had started to play up again. And it did go up and down during the weekend. 38.4 was worrying. So Monday sickness, Diahorra and loss of appetite were all taking it toll. Vicky had a CT scan on Monday afternoon. This had been planned by Dr Braybrooke. Results next Tuesday!
Finally on Tuesday went Ursula came to clean her line, and she decided to take some blood to check her levels. And within a few hours confirmed what we thought. Her Neutrophils (infection fighting) should be between 2 -8, Vicky’s were zero! And she was dehydrated. Hospital was our next stop. !!Luckily Joan had driven down that day to help, so she took over with Iona and I took V to the Oncology Centre.
And that’s where we’re at. They’re going to keep her in for a few days. Well until her Neutrophils are above 1. Also antibiotics and fluids. Dr B did phone last night (nice touch Dr B) and gave Vicky some fab news.. No more Oral chemotherapy for a while!!
I don’t get chance to say thanks on the blog, but every single entry gives V and me a huge lift so please keep posting.. They all mean a lot to us both. X
Thursday 13 September 2007
Night Fever, Night Fever
We seem to be getting into the habit of having little dramas just before treatments! This time, having got Iona back to school and successfully negotiating her gym party - 16 very tired and happy 6 year olds - I decided to develop night fevers. On Saturday night, I peaked at 39 degrees but feeling alright stayed where I was and it dropped down fairly quickly.
Iona and I went to support Martin in the Half Marathon on Sunday morning (an impressive 1hr 28mins!) and when my temperature started to creep up again in the afternoon, this time, I thought it wise to to take the advice of those whose medical knowledge is a bit more advanced than mine!! Off we went to The Oncology Centre for blood tests, Iona clutchng her enormous new cheetah from the Bear Factory and in a high state of excitement as her first tooth had just come out! I was so sure they were going to admit me - but it turned out that once again my red blood count is low (down to 8.4) but my infection-fighting white cells and neutrophylls are ok so I was packed off home with some oral anitbiotics....and they seem to be doing the trick..either that or it's down to my old friends, the steroids!!
So, I was ok for treatment on Tuesday. All passed uneventfullly but good to see Saint Ursula again - Martin took the opportunity to pick her brain on her carpentry skills as he battled to fit the new cat flap! We had our regular session with Dr B on Tuesday afternoon - he has suggested another blood transfusion so that's happening this afternoon..at home this time. Hope it gives me a bit more of a boost than last time. We'll know soon enough. Dr B is also planninng scans for a couple of weeks' time, before my next treatment, so we will know how things are going - it's a bit sooner than we expected but he is very optimistic that I will show a good response to the treatment. Fingers crossed. Obviously then, we would just carry on with the current treatment plan. Oh joy!!
Anyway, got to go as my new blood will be here soon!
Vicky xx
Iona and I went to support Martin in the Half Marathon on Sunday morning (an impressive 1hr 28mins!) and when my temperature started to creep up again in the afternoon, this time, I thought it wise to to take the advice of those whose medical knowledge is a bit more advanced than mine!! Off we went to The Oncology Centre for blood tests, Iona clutchng her enormous new cheetah from the Bear Factory and in a high state of excitement as her first tooth had just come out! I was so sure they were going to admit me - but it turned out that once again my red blood count is low (down to 8.4) but my infection-fighting white cells and neutrophylls are ok so I was packed off home with some oral anitbiotics....and they seem to be doing the trick..either that or it's down to my old friends, the steroids!!
So, I was ok for treatment on Tuesday. All passed uneventfullly but good to see Saint Ursula again - Martin took the opportunity to pick her brain on her carpentry skills as he battled to fit the new cat flap! We had our regular session with Dr B on Tuesday afternoon - he has suggested another blood transfusion so that's happening this afternoon..at home this time. Hope it gives me a bit more of a boost than last time. We'll know soon enough. Dr B is also planninng scans for a couple of weeks' time, before my next treatment, so we will know how things are going - it's a bit sooner than we expected but he is very optimistic that I will show a good response to the treatment. Fingers crossed. Obviously then, we would just carry on with the current treatment plan. Oh joy!!
Anyway, got to go as my new blood will be here soon!
Vicky xx
Thursday 6 September 2007
Happy Holidays!
We're back from a lovely time in Scotland - a busy couple of days in Edinburgh going to shows at the Fringe, catching up with old school friends and visiting one of my favourite places, Tantallon Castle, and not forgetting the obligatory stop at Luca's Ice Cream on the way back - childhood memories...!
I must admit that I didn't really notice any extra oomph as a result of my blood transfusion but then we were rushing around quite a lot - surprise!
Our week on the west coast was great too - lots of pottering on the beaches, a perfect day out to the island of Iona, deer and seal spotting, evenings playing cards and I did manage the 6-mile walk to Loch Tearnait where Dad's ashes are scattered.
Iona had a very happy 6th birthday while we were away - she loves her new camera - but she was even happier when we got back and got a cat. We now have a lovely, friendly, 10-month old, ginger female who we have called Skye. Iona is delighted and rushes home from school to see her.
I'm feeling ok - this is my drug-free week - although I don't have as much energy as I would like. Iona went back to school yesterday so now, no excuse, for not starting on my enormous jobs list!! Firstly, the small matter of a 6th birthday party on Saturday!!
Anyway, next treatment on Tuesday so let's hope the blood test is straightforward this time. In the meantime, here's some holiday pics:
Vicky xx
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