my drug regime

“6 Fields Brain” – radiotherapy and chemotherapy programme.

 

Revised programme, following appointment with consultant.  I am over half way :)

Date	Time of appointment	Omeprazole (stomach protector)	Anti-sickness	Last time to eat	Dexamethazone (steroid 1.5mg)	Time of anti-sickness tablet (Metoclopramide)	Time of chemotherapy tablet	Co---trimoxazole (antibiotic)	Allowed to eat
Mon	11 ish	When I get up	Before breakfast	Early breakfast	With breakfast	9ish / each meal	10ish	Take 2 x 480mg	12 ish
Tues	11 ish	When I get up	Before breakfast	Early breakfast	With breakfast	9ish/ each meal	10 ish		12 ish
Wed	2 ish	When I get up	Before breakfast	9 ish	With breakfast	12ish/each meal	1 ish	Take 2 x 480 mg	3 ish
Wed	Meet consultant
Thurs	11 ish	When I get up	Before breakfast	Early breakfast	With breakfast	9ish/each meal	10 ish		12 ish
Fri	11 ish	When I get up	Before breakfast	Early breakfast	With breakfast	9ish/each meal	10 ish	Take 2 x 480 mg	12 ish

Drugs

Chemotherapy –              Temozolomide                                  Take once a day before radiotherapy.

Antibiotic –                         Co-trimoxazole                                 2 x 480 mg every Mon Wed and Fri

Anti-sickness -                   Metoclopramide              Take one tablet up to three times a day.

Steroid -                               Dexamethasone              1 x 1.5mg  every day with food.

Stomach protector          Omeprazole                       Take before food at start of the day.

Anti-sickness -                                                            Take one tablet once a day.

Feeling better today ;)

My morning is good
I have breakfast today because I have an afternoon appointment.  I then go for my long walk, slowly, but complete the distance happily. 

I wash my hair
Eek, I did not want to do this.  I was worried it would hurt.  I have not washed my hair for so long that I can't remember when I last washed it.  It had to be washed.  I read my book for a little while, avoiding it.   In the end, I sink down into the bath waiting for my skin to scream at me, except it doesn't hurt at all.  I wash it gently.  Loads of hair is falling out that I scoop up and put on the side of the bath.  Not nice.  I have clean hair. :)

Keys cut and local shop sells masticated juices.
I have to get some keys cut - I lost a set when I was in hospital, and have only one set to share around.   Next door is Battery Park, who sell juices.  I discovered today that they also sell masticated juices.  I tried one with ginger in it, and it was delicious.  I plan to go back and copy down their recipes at some point.  It was also a real treat to have one that I didn't have to make.

Radiotherapy appointment followed by meeting with consultant
This was with my specialist nurse, Charlotte, and my consultant Dr McBain.  The outcome of the meeting was:

• stronger anti-sickness drugs to take one every day.  I can take the others on top of this, so I am very hopeful that I can fend off any nausea;
• reduced dose of steroids.  I reduce from 2mg per day to 1.5 mg per day for a week.  Then reduce to 1mg per day for a week.  Then reduce to 0.5 for a week.  Let's see how it goes.  More sleep for me, I hope.
• more anti-biotics (I was running out)
• I am allowed to eat before the morning appointment.  We think my sickness is a result of not eating from the night before, until after lunchtime.  My consultant gave me permission to have a small porridge before my morning appointment.  I think this will help me a lot.

My bald patch

Here it is.  My bald patch is growing every day. 

And finally
I have just had a night out.  Belinda Cashin, Julie Miskelly and Kay Statham - we have had a meal out at Yakisoba. I used to work with them as Partnership Development Manager, in Trafford.  We usually meet up two or three times a year, and have made it out tonight.   I have put make up on for the first time since my operation.  I enjoyed my pad thai noodle meal, with a bento box of delicious salad, fruit and miso soup.  An excellent evening, thanks girls.

Have a good day everyone
lots of love
Sarah xxx