"Our soul must perform two duties. The one is that we must reverently wonder and be surprised. The other is that we must gently let go and let be." Julian of Norwich

...Cancer teaches both!!!

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Chemo Blues!


I've been struck down by a particular nasty reaction to chemo over this past week.  I'm finally up today after visit back to the hospital yesterday to receive fluids intravenously. 

One of the chemo drugs, Irinotecan, has diarrhea as a common side-effect.  I've had this chemo before and always handled it well with a little Imodium.  This time it was relentless and left me dehydrated and bed-ridden for 5 days!  My oncologist has said that I will not be receiving it again.  For which I am grateful.  He thought, and I concur, that the severe reaction was probably because of the previous radiation which had already left the bowels in a "distressed" state.

Next week I will just receive the one drug, Erbitux.  I may have others added down the road.  We'll see...

So... I am alive and well and will begin posting regularly again tomorrow.

TTFN... Rob; in Vancouver

"Yesterday I decided to go to the office.
I got as far as the bedroom door.
Chemo strikes."
Peter Jennings

2 comments:

Mad Meter Maid said...

Sorry to hear that you have been so sick Rob. I think of you often and will keep you in my prayers.

Robin

Anonymous said...

Hey Rob - knew there was a prolem when I do not see you post for many days. Sorry about the chemo drug and I've told you how radiation sort of ruins your intestines - there is a definite tie in there with the reaction you had...glad they are pulling you off of it. You take care and good luck with the Erbitux - that is one I have not done, but I've heard it has its own trademark, as most of the drugs do...you are handling things very well - please stay after it.
-CRAIG