25th september-Back in the old routine.
Early start as I was getting PICC line inserted at 8:30 am and then chemo at lunchtime.Rosie gave me a lift in as she was working.Parked car at Pond Hotel and walked along the waterside to see the ducks and swans and geese just floating by without a care in the world

.Went in to the shop to buy a baguette for lunch-£2:95-daylight robbery-will make my own next time!Went and checked in at reception and was taken straight away.The nurse was called Donna and explained everything to me before carrying out the procedure.My last PICC line had been in my left arm,as I have a longstanding injury to my right arm.Donna said she would have to put it in my right arm this time,but would do her utmost to make it successful! Thankfully,everything went according to plan,although she did say it was in the top five of the most difficult ones she had had to do! I never felt any discomfort at all and was very grateful for that! I then had to go for x-ray to check the line was in place,and once it was checked out,I was good to start the chemo.
I had to have bloods taken before chemo,because the full set hadn't been checked at my clinic appointment on Monday.Meant a bit of waiting about,but again,very grateful for the proper procedures being carried out.
Eventually got taken to my area and was delighted to see the familiar faces of my nurses-I had a great deal of faith in their expertise and knowledge.I was hooked up to the anti-emetic first and then started on the new drug Irinotecan. I was warned there could be abdominal cramps and an increased flow of saliva ,but,if that was the case,I would be given an injection of Atropine to counter those effects.As it turned out,I had none of those effects.I was then hooked up to Folinic Acid in Glucose for two hours,then 5FU for ten minutes,and then the pump which would come home with me for the next forty eight hours.
During my stay I had brought in my iPad ,onto which I had downloaded some of my favourite comedy shows,namely Frasier,Still Game,and Father Ted.I actually laughed my way through the whole of my chemo-people think I am mad,but I don't care.
After getting my supplies of steroids,anti nausea meds,and anti diarrhoea meds,sharps box,dressings,appointments,it was time to go home-5pm.it had been a long day,but a lot was achieved.Rosie gave me a lift home . As I was emptying my bag,I found my baguette-I had forgotten all about it!Couldn't take it now,because it had been out of fridge all day-oh well,the dog had a wee treat!Me? , I had toast and banana  x

September 5th 2013-Going to Beatson to get result of PET scan.There are so many scenarios that I go through in my mind as to what the results will be,but there is no point in trying to second guess- the results will be known soon enough!
Bill and I took the train to Hyndland station,which is adjacent to the Beatson.We were a bit early,but I would rather be early than be rushing about at the last minute.We were eventually lead in to the doctor's room and he told us that the scan had shown three abnormalities rather than the original one.They were of a similar size and he said that surgery would probably not be an option at this point.The areas affected were in the peritoneum.My lungs and liver were clear and all the bloods I had taken were normal.
The doctor said that I would probably be best getting chemotherapy again-a slightly different regime which would not last as long as the previous one.Side effects could be diarrhoea,upset stomach,and a rash.
After we left the hospital,I was busy sending texts to family and friends-isn't technology wonderful!

The upshot is that I am now waiting to go and have another PICC line inserted and then it's back on the bandwagon! I feel I am in a better condition than I was in last time,as I had just had major surgery before the last round. Oh well,onwards and upwards.....again!