Day 35

Saw the doc yesterday and he confirmed that all seems to be going well.
I've got one more course of chemo starting on Monday.

This will be followed by a CT scan.

If this confirms tumour has shrunk Radio Therapy will start on 23rd March.

Although they had planned two or three weeks of Radio Therapy this has now been reduced to just one week.

Took a walk to the pub yesterday and found I can now manage a normal pace.

Feeling good except for the occasional tiredness which is normal when on chemo.

Day 33

No problems at all the past few days.
Feeling almost normal and able to jog up the stairs.
Not bad for an old guy of 56 with a lung tumour.
Bit of a cough but that's to be expected as the tumour shrinks which it clearly has.
Seeing my surgeon on Tuesday and I'm certain i'm going to get some good news when he examines me.

My advice to anybody who suffers fatigue while on chemo is to force yourself out of bed, take a luke warm or even cold bath and get dressed.
You'll feel better.
Despite the fatigue I have not spent one day in bed throughout my treatment.

I have allowed access to a lot of free downloads from my website which you might also find helpful, they've certainly helped me.
Part of the battle in beating cancer is remaining positive, once you start thinking negatively your body stops fighting.
Self hypnosis could help you, unfortunately it's well known that not everybody is responsive to it.
But when you're fighting such an awful disease anything is worth trying.

Jusat click the link below to go to the website, click through the various links and look for free downloads, there are a lot ranging from self hypnosis to relaxation recordings.

Free Downloads

I've finished my second course now and I have a few days off before I start what I hope will be my final course of chemo.
If all goes well I'll be starting radiation therapy soon after.

Day 30

I expected to hit rock bottom today as it's Day 11 of the second course.
But I'm happy to say I've had three good days on the trot.
Took a trip to Maidstone yesterday and didn't sleep at all.
Today has been good so far.

My breathing continues to improve and I'm managing to do more each day.
Feeling very positive.

Day 25

Each day now is starting to feel like Groundhog Day, funny enough that's the film we watched last night.
Getting up around 7 am each morning not feeling too bad, just a little tired.

Start to feel very tired around lunchtime each day.
Have a doze on the sofa for around an hour and this keeps me going until around 7pm when I sleep for another hour or so, then watch TV until bed time.

Day 23

I didn't make it to the hospital on Monday.
Somebody forgot to organise transport.
So I had to go on Tuesday for the next course of chemo.

When I took the first course I was OK for the first few days but this time the fatigue kicked in within a couple of hours.
And so far it's lasted three days.
I guess that's because I've already got it in my system.

I've found a luke warm bath helps and getting up and getting dressed rather than just lay in bed is my way of dealing with it.
I try to find myself things to do even if it's just working on my website, anything to keep occupied.

Breathing continues to improve and if not for the chemo I think I'd be feeling really good now.
Only a few more weeks to go, then a break before I start radiation therapy.
Hopefully then I'll be able to take my bike out for a ride, that always gives me a lift.

Day 20

Had a good weekend, feeling better each day.
Able to walk to the pub without efffort, before Xmas I couldn't walk a few yards without taking a breather.

Felt a little tired Sunday afternoon but fine otherwise.

Day 18

Another good day.

I'm able to walk up the stairs without a struggle for the first time in months.
So obviously the chemo is doing it's job.
Feeling good apart from weakness in the legs, not sure why that is.
I start my next course of chemo on Monday so will discuss it with the nurse.

Angie happy cos I was able to help her with the shopping for the first time in weeks.

Feeling very positive.