I was supposed to be out on Friday night or Saturday morning but circumstances have consipired against me. The good news is the first batch of chemotherapy is over and I'll have a two week rest before the next batch. The bad news is I had a few setbacks during the week. I had a dilation procedure on Tuesday and that seemed to improve my swallow, at least as far as water went that evening. However, the effects seemed to have worn off by the following day, although maybe I was too ambitious trying to have a boiled egg for breakfast and some mince for lunch. The mince blocked me up completely and it was Friday before I was able to take regular sips of water again.
The fact that I wasn't getting fluids or nourishment worried the doctors and on Friday they told me I would have to stay a few more days. They didn't specify how long. Then later that afternoon, while trying to take some medication, I coughed up some blood, which scared me, I can tell you. The doctor said not to panic, oesophogeal tumours do that from time to time. However, I was fitted with a canula in case I needed an emergency blood transfusion and a blood sample was taken. They also cancelled my radiotherapy that day. Fortunately, there hasn't been a recurrence.
David -
It was real shock when I read about your cancer in Ansible. Just Googled you and found your weblog and caught up on your news...
I hope things are going okay with the treatment. If there's anything practical I can do for you let me know. If there are books or DVDs you want to catch up on while you're lying around feeling crap, just let us know.
Take care,
Paul
Posted by: Paul Tomlinson | February 20, 2006 at 02:18 PM
Good to hear you remain cheery despite all the discomfort. Empathise with the swallowing problems: I've to chronic tonsillitis at the mo', so not at my best, as you can imagine.
Will miss not seeing you at Eastercon but I am sure we will catch up some time soon.
Big hugs from all the Batcave Beasties!
Posted by: cuddles | March 06, 2006 at 10:36 AM