Recovery week 2

Another week of recovery done. Things are improving but very slowly. My throat and mouth are slowly drying out, which is as expected but not entirely pleasant.

Still not able to eat anything and whilst I make myself have some water by mouth each day, it is far from easy. However I have to relearn how to swallow so a little each day is better than nothing. I am desperate to eat some food and down a cool glass of water so it can't get better soon enough.

I am still quite tired out, not able to do very much, but feeling better so starting to get bored!

Home again

I got out of hospital yesterday evening, antibiotics in hand. Actually managed to sleep a good few hours of sleep last night, so am hoping it is a sign of things to come.

My mouth and throat are very sore still, possibly more so than ever and the mucus tends to make me nauseous so managing keeping feed down is my main challenge.

Overall though I feel a lot better. Let's hope it continues.

Back in hospital :(

Sadly a persistent high temperature led us to A & E last night. I was admitted for a few days of antibiotics. Now sat in my room on the oncology ward, feeling a little better. Nice view!

Done!

Treatment complete at last. Feeling quite rough now but at least it will start to improve soon.

Attached is a picture of my mask, which I will eventually take great pleasure in destroying.

Almost there

Two more days to go. Subjective time has slowed down of course, so it seems like a long time but it will soon be over.

This week is proving quite challenging. I can rarely clear the mucus in my throat and if I try too hard I tend to throw up, which isn't very nice. So mostly I try to tolerate it but it makes sleeping very hard. They lent me a nebuliser but I am not convinced it helps much.

To add to the problems my PEG doesn't seem overly happy after it was changed last week. I am seeing the nurse tomorrow in case there is an infection :(

The doctor also warned that next week the cumulative effects of the whole treatment will hit me and I will very likely feel even worse for a week, though things would then start to improve. Fingers crossed it's not too bad. He confirmed that I was handling the treatment well, my blood counts were all good, and I was fine for my final chemo (which people often skip if they are struggling)

Still, it *is* the final week, which is a good thing, and I can't wait until Friday when I have had the last treatment and I can come home and start working on recovery.

Week 5 done

Week 5 is finally over. Not a good week, but at least it is done with.

I actually managed to get a bit of sleep last night, so I feel marginally better today. Mucus is bad though, so it may be a three boxes of tissues day. The main challenge is getting a litre or more of water drunk - it takes me hours to drink a small glass without coughing it up.  Oh well, nice to have a goal to work towards!

No doubt next week will be a joy.

Time for a naff film...

Week 5 begins

No treatment today due to the bank holiday. However, the past few days have been a challenge. Looks like the utter exhaustion that was promised has arrived, leaving me wiped out after walking from one room to the next.  I am now genuinely a couch potato, and very poor company!

My throat is not too sore today, but it is full of 'stuff' I just can't clear, which is as disgusting as it sounds. During the day it is manageable, but at night it wakes me up once an hour coughing and retching. I can happily say I am now desperate for the next two weeks to pass and for things to start getting better!