Paul's Health Updates

Days 6/7 – Starting to get some energy back, got out a couple of times today … including dinner on the beach. Developed a rash which is a very common side effect of the new drug … I was advised there is chance I could revert to being a teenager and break out in acne … at this stage it is minor, not sore or itchy and confined to the chest.

Days 4/5 – Continuation of the same theme. Slight nausea, low energy. But lots of good football results over the last 24 hours (2 NZ teams top of the A League and a chance for LFC to go 8 points clear overnight)… shame the AB’s were so untidy.

Day 3 – Following a similar pattern to round 1. Limited appetite, slight nausea at times, bit of a lack of energy but generally ok.

Day 2 – Quiet day, continue to feel well.

Day 1 – Had round 2 of Chemo administered today, no immediate adverse reaction to the newly added drug. In fact no side effects yet … so seemly similar pattern to round 1 at this very early stage. Slow release drug being infused over the next 2 days.

Round 2 of Chemo starts tomorrow, given my reaction (or lack thereof) to Round 1, the next cycle will include the introduction of Cetuximab to the treatment plan.

This will add time to the process, and potentially further side effects. The first they give you the drug they take extra precausions and slow the administration, the end result is the process tomorrow is likely to take around 5 hours. Kindle is charged, might also need to find some podcasts/movies etc pass the time.

I am extremely thankful that I continue to feel well.

I will add to this post as I work my way through round 1 of the Chemo treatment rather than add lots of different posts. Each round is a 14 day cycle of treatment and recovery. When side effects are most pronounced are different for everyone so its pretty much wait and see.

Day 6/7 – After being very tired Sunday and Monday. The last 2 days (Tuesday and Wednesday) have been much better, getting out and about.

Day 4/5 – bit more fatigue today and very limited appetite but still very manageable side effects to date.

Day 3 – Slow release pump removed today. Only noticeable side effect to date remains a reduced appetite.

Day 2 – Another good day, side effects very minimal.

Day 1 – Treatment administered, no issues or immediate side effects. Slow release drug released over the next 48 hours.

Following a good recovery from surgery I will be starting Chemo on Wednesday.

Round one will be Chemo only with the intention to add Cetuximab from round 2 depending on how I react/cope.

Once again thank you to everyone for all the prayer, support and well wishes . It really means a lot to know so many people care.

Following advice from my Oncologist we have decided that I will initially take the most aggressive treatment plan available. It will involve Chemotherapy combined with an Antibody to increase the effectiveness of the Chemo. The Antibody becomes publicly funded from 1 November which is a real blessing.

The plan is an initial 4 cycles (8 weeks) and then evaluate how effective the treatment has been and adjust if necessary from there.

The start date is not yet set and is dependent on recovery from last weeks operation. My recovery is going well and treatment could begin as early as the next week or 2.