Light up my life....

I should start by saying that for the first time in months I am beginning to feel slightly better. The fatigue, in particular, has lifted significantly; my legs work which means I should be able to get out for short walks and, most importantly, my lungs are allowing me to breathe even when doing menial tasks.

I can only put this down to the change of medication put in place by my Endocrinolgist and Oncologist, and the time that has now passed allowing for the medication to start working.

Not to get carried away. I am still tired all the time and the nausea is ever present but it's a start.

Early last week was, I hope, the last time I will have to call the emergency number to let them my know my breathing was getting worse.

After a weekend of heavy breathing (!), I decided to call the hospital last Monday because just getting dressed was a trial; difficulty in breathing and, according to my smart watch, a heart rate that belonged on a treadmill!

Come visit for the day, they said, after agreeing that it was not quite right. So off I popped for yet another round of tests. The hospital has a unit that looks after emergency day care patients and as soon as I arrived the assessments started. Bloods taken; blood pressure and heart rate monitored (both very high considering I was not moving) and temperature taken (also slightly high). I was also wheeled off for a chest x-ray.

Could be numerous things so we have to rule them out, they said, but it could also still be your thyroid so we will consult with your Endo man whilst we are doing these tests.

Five hours of tests and monitoring.

Then I had to return the next morning for further scans and the results of my blood tests.

Those that have read previous blogs know that a CT scan is now out of the question due to my allergy to the iodine contrast. I was therefore surprised to be sent to the Department for Nuclear Medicine where I was injected with a radioactive contrast prior to being scanned!

After the scan I was given a green band to wear, told not to mix with young children or pregnant women for 24hours.

I did wonder where I can purchase a masked suit so I could shoot webbing and climb tall buildings whilst saving the world.

I also wonder to myself, when I have a bowel movement in the next 24hrs if I will be pooping a little bomb. I then tell myself to make sure the seat cover goes down before I flush just in case! Boom!!

I did not mention these thoughts to the Doctor.

The results of the scan reassuringly showed a good set of lungs. Blood clots are a big issue for chemo patients so the medics are always very cautious. That is now the 4th time my lungs have been assessed in 10 weeks!

The second day also included additional monitoring and the blood test results. My potassium is extremely low (more tablets); and the thyroid consultant doubled my tablet dosage with immediate effect.

It's only 6 days since these additional tablets have been added to my personal a la carte menu and I can feel the positive difference.

This may be that the corner has been turned; that this new found energy is here to stay and will see me out for the balance of my treatment.

This week is Cycle 6 of chemo so it may all be short-lived.

Let's hope for the better...