Where to begin ...
They always say first things first but such a lot has happened during the past eighteen days.
First, my sore 'area' is now much better you will be pleased to hear. Treatment with a couple of lotions/creams have cured that ~ one of them we had to keep in the fridge.
I developed a fungal infection though which necessitated three visits to the GP to see three different GPs. One of them [the second doctor I saw ~ who I like a lot] patted me on the shoulder after examining the rash [which is mainly on and under my arms but also down my front to a lesser degree] and said " ... very interesting ..." before recommending I saw the third doctor who had been on a dermatology course. The third doctor prescribed another lotion/cream which I don't have to keep in the fridge ... and which is also beginning to work ... and my rash is less of a problem than it was. Fortunately it hasn't itched.
The biggest problem though is that since the radiotherapy I have suffered with a very bad back. I thought it was muscular problems initially but I have to be realistic. It could be something much more ominous. Anyway I've been taken paracetomol and perhaps they help a little.
I've also been to discuss the clinical trial at the local cancer hospital ... and signed up. I have a two to one chance of getting the new drug that is being tested. The drug hasn't been officially approved yet but the results are encouraging, apparently. I have had some blood samples taken but I still need a bonescan and a CT scan. This will determine whether I am suitable. I could be rejected.
It seems that 160 men in the UK are being recruited in this clinical trial and I'm possibly going to be one of them ~ largely because I appear to be in better shape than I perhaps ought to be given my situation.
Finally I want to apologise for not visiting your blogs. Sitting in my chair in front of my PC is uncomfortable after a relatively short space of time.
I'm sorry for your troubles, Charlie. At least they seem to be able to help you, bit by bit, for things like the rash. I hope that everything else goes well ...
ReplyDeleteThank you Pet ~ I have in the past few hours heard from the research sister and she is arranging a bone scan, a CT scan, more blood tests and then (if I'm suitable) the first batch of tablets. These may be spread over three hospitals in the same city and over different days. That will be a busy week ...
DeleteWishing you the best for the trial and I hope your back won't hurt too bad. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteThank you Diane ~ at present I'm lying on the bed with an iPad !
DeleteGood luck with the trial application Charlie. I hope you get accepted.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the cream/lotion application. I hope you get antiseptic.
Finally, Knowing how difficult it was for you to read others' blogs at the moment, I decided to ease your guilt by writing virtually bugger all (or should that be 'writing bugger all virtually?) in the last few months. Hope that makes you feel better.
Thank you for those good wishes Ian ... thank you also for not overloading me. I'll sleep much better tonight ... well, if my back doesn't play me up.
DeleteHi Charlie. Sorry to hear things have continued to be rough for a while. Sounds like the GP has the rash sorted out now.
ReplyDeleteI do hope you get accepted for the clinical trial.
I, too, have been posting less the last couple of weeks, so not much to see on my page either.
At the time of writing [typing] I'm waiting to go to see my GP to see if he'll give me some painkillers ... and I've heard from the Clinical Trial Research Sister who is arranging a couple of scans, more bloodtests etc.
DeleteGlad you got the rash sorted out. They're a funny lot sometimes aren't they - docs. I had a similar experience once, he said 'fascinating. Come back later and let's see if it's any worse.' Really encouraging! Hope you get on the new trial though, sounds good. I can barely keep up these days with blogs and comments, so don't worry if your output falls a little.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping to see the doctor in the next two and a half hours who commented on my "very interesting" rash about giving me some painkillers ... fingers crossed.
DeleteHope you get chosen for the trial Charlie,sounds as if you are having a rough time at the moment,I'm sure your team will be supporting you all the way,and of course we are supporting you from a distance.Ann
ReplyDeleteThank you Ann ... much appreciated.
DeleteHi Charlie, sorry to hear you are not having the best of times lately. The trial sounds promising, so hopefully something good will come of that, though the logistics sound challenging. Sending you best wishes as always. June (@weegiewalker)
ReplyDeleteThank you June ~ much appreciated.
DeleteKeep taking the pills Charlie (and participating in trials). We need your sense of humour on this site.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping to take some more pills [painkillers] in the next few hours, as long as the GP approves.
DeleteWell I found that rich, you apologizing for not visiting others' blogs often. That is my biggest guilt trip these days. With long breaks in the bush I just can't keep up. I must tell you though, that when I have the chance I always check your blogs out first. I have learned a lot about blogging from you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your complimentary words about my blog Karyn ~ that's very kind. You make an old man very happy :-)
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