The main focus for this week, was having the CT scan on Tuesday, which thankfully showed no issues and was clear of any clots. They did mention my high blood marker, but after informing them that the chemo guys were aware and that is why they have delayed my chemo, they were content to release me.

The second main focus was adjusting to the arm pain, which did diminish, but has left me with a reduced movement in certain positions, plus loosing grip from time to time. There is a permanent dull pain around my elbow area, into my bicep and also forearm, with the loss of grip being in my wrist. Throughout the week, the impact diminished each day, but it has not gone away. The A&E Ashford team could not tell me what it was, other than, it was not a clot.

The clot investigations came with some information that my liver blood marker had gone from circa 40, to 450+ in a few weeks, followed by an increase to 699 a week later. That is what they have delayed the chemo. The GP in the A&E department was the person who informed me of that, not the chemo team in Canterbury, which I find odd and will enquire with the Oncologist as to why. That information sends your mind racing, why, what can it mean, etc. No answers yet.

I had my pre-chemo bloods on Friday, so awaiting a call to determine if they are going ahead with Chemo No. 4. Spoke to the nurses who could not tell me what was causing the weird arm pain / restrictions. They confirmed that the liver marker was coming down (based on the Ashford blood tests) and now was around the 450 mark again. I will see what Friday’s bloods show and whether it will impact the chemo sessions?

Besides the above medical aspects, the lack of medication has helped produce some normal feelings, which is a nice change. Capitalising on that, we done some ‘normal’ things, but only made the final decisions to do so, minutes before we had to leave.

One of those was a trip to the Marlowe with my daughter and grandson. That was his first proper theater show and it was nice to be able to share that experience with him. The second was a shopping trip, which is not something that I have done in many months. It was only a couple of hours, but again, nice to do something ‘normal’. The last was a short drive up to the Leas and soak up some of the sun over the weekend, although we did not stay long, as there was a strong breeze blowing! All ‘normal’ activities, but ones that have been out of our consideration for a months now.

Thanks for the ongoing interest and taking the time to read my experiences; appreciated.

Regards

Peter