Day 63 4th chemo

Today's chemo is gonna take about 4 hours. Which gives me ample time to update this blog. Had I not done my x-Ray and blood tests and urine tests one day earlier, it would have taken the whole day today given the long queue of patients.

My x-Ray report is very short. The size of tumor has further reduced from 6.8cm x 4.4cm to 6.2cm x 3.6cm. The rest of the lungs is clear (meaning fluid in the lungs has disappear).

Blood tests and urine tests reported are normal (save for some red flags which are not alarming). Cancer marker reduced from 310 to 120 U/mL.

This means I am responding well to the prescribed drugs. Actually, I was expecting a much better improvement. Especially when I feel good (unlike the last time). So initially, I was a bit disappointed.

But come to think of it, improvement has been astounding. Before chemo, the tumor was a sizeable 10.3cm x 7.8cm. Now it's 6.2cm x 3.6cm. Which means the size of the tumor has in fact reduced by about 70%!

Two pictures tell two thousand words. So here goes...

X-ray of healthy lungs:

X-rays of my lungs. Yellow = estimated size of tumor. Blue = estimated amount of fluid

The dietician saw me in the cancer ward and chatted with me. I told her that I am not quite satisfied having gained only 2 kgs for a 6 week period. Surprisingly, she said "very good already"! Her target for me was actually to prevent me from dropping below 55kg!

Btw my weight according to clinic's scale showed 57kg and and not 60 kg when I last weighed myself at home. Perhaps, it's time I buy a new scale, digital one for that matter?

Day 60 Sleep n Rest

My 4th chemo is on Thursday 26 Sep. So how am I so far?

I asked Carol the same question when we were exercising this morning. She says I look so much better.  Things are improving. Yup, I agree with her. I feel great. I feel good. And I am sure regular exercising is crucial. Hopefully, I can keep the momentum going.

Besides exercising, I also heard that reflexology brings relief. So I bought wooden reflexology clogs from Jonker in addition to the reflexology slippers that I have at home. Arghh! Painful as hell! So I am wearing the clogs only when doing light exercises or qigong. Also bought a reflexology board. My friend says kiasu a bit never mind la!

And on Thursday, I am going to tell Dr Daniel "Appetite is ok due to Megace, an appetite stimulant prescribed by you. Joint pains reduced. Coughing almost gone. Tiredness is less severe. No more rashes. Bowels movement very regular, almost daily. But I have to sleep and rest most of the time. Thank you."

Now going to bed for some rest.

BTW I am now at 57 kg. Hair still intact but more white hair (due to normal aging):

Day 57 Exercising

I have begun exercising outdoors for a week already. Carol and I will normally will reach the Tun Fatimah Stadium Serindit by 7:30 am and spend an hour + there.

Have decided on a 1-3-5 routine because on weekends there are too many people (risk of outside infection higher). Will do some slow and then brisk walking for about 30 mins followed by qigong exercises.

Even when not in Serindit, I still do the exercises at home at the balcony or even in the living hall while watching TV. Anywhere also can.

Some pictures taken while going through the Ba Duan Jin exercises this morning.

Note the last pix. Wife duduk senggit, bench senggit, tupperware also senggit...

Day 42 3rd chemo

Latest X-ray again looks promising and tumor has shrunk a great deal as compared to the last review. Although the effects of last session was worse than the first, the results are good. The fluid in the lungs has almost dried up.

The tendency to "cough and ahem" out the phlegm should soon disappear, doc says.  Constipation has gone. He is pleased. I am pleased. 

Blood tests showed that red cells have reduced, though not alarming, since the last count and haemoglobin level is on the low side. Cancer marker reduced from 360 to 310 U/mL.

Ms Dietician recommends consuming more red meat whilst continuing with white meat intake. Mr Onco is not alarmed and says it's still at normal levels. 

Weight-wise, both doctors agree that I need to eat more and put on xtra kgs. I had set out to gain at least 3kg in 3 weeks. Instead, I only managed to put on a measly 1kg over that period! Must admit I failed in this area. Now at 56kg according to doctor's scale.

Overall, feeling better as compared to recent weeks and looking forward to more promising results in coming weeks.

Edited pix (red - tumor; blue - fluid). Original pix (below)

3 sessions of chemo done. 3 more to go before deciding on next steps. As usual, your prayers much needed.

Rick 20130905