Returned to office 2 days ago after more than 3 months of absence. The desk is still there, wiped clean with all electronic-based system switched on at 9am as welcome. Like to think it was not done to avoid delay in my having to deal with the tumultuous conditions in the financial markets. The past months of rest have the effect of making feel somewhat detached from the on-going crisis, a surprising departure from my usual immersion in similar events that have dotted my career in the past 25 years or so. Yes, I saw the volatile price movements on the screen but yet felt strangely calm. Perhaps my medical condition has unconsciously made me more philosophical about what's happening currently.
My work routine is going to be flexible, thanks to an understanding boss. Working hours will fit how my body feels in the day. Hopefully, work pressure will be kept at bay until I'm fitter to cope with it. If not, the appeal of early retirement beckons.
My 5th cycle starts tomorow. The week following it is one that is gastronomically delightful. To start off, one of my long-time friend from our Golden Girls Club is here in town to have her cousin whip up a 'not-to-missed' Hari Raya brunch. It is followed by daily lunch appointments with work associates who can't wait to catch up with me.
Health-wise, trying hard to stick to the straight and narrow path of healthy eating, yoga and walks. As the chemo treatment comes to an end in mid Oct, I'm starting to prepare myself to return to a fuller social life in museum-guiding activities.
sunnybunny
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel
The 4th chemo cycle which started yesterday was a breeze. Drug used was no longer the hard-hitting Epirubicin administered in the first three. Instead, Taxotere, a lighter drug in terms of after-effect discomfort was given; it will be this for the 5th and 6th cycles. I spent today much in rest, awaiting the expected after-effect of slight fatigue. It came but went off after a short nap in the afternoon. No nausea.
Back to Epirubicin. It was indeed strong going by the falling haemoglobin level (red blood cell count) since the start of the chemo session. I used to be a high 12 on haemoglobin and has since seen the level lowered steadily to the latest count of 8+. Any lower, blood transfusion has to be introduced. The attendant risks of this are high enough to prompt Dr Khoo to give me an iron injection. It certainly cost a lot ($1500) to bring back some colour to my cheeks. Hopefully, this, like the white cell booster shot, will stave the need for blood transfusion. It was comforting to know that the chemo drug's suppression of red blood cells is temporary. I should be able to return to my normal levels by Dec. What a relief! Meantime, food rich in iron is to be eaten in greater quantity.
My kind boss in HK has given me more days for medical leave by allowing chemo sessions as time off work. So, instead of reporting for work on Sep 10, I need report only on 21st, which is to be extended, much to my annoyance, by yet another week on account of the F1 race taking place during that period. Roads and car-park inaccessibility means that I'll have to take public transport to work, a prospect I do not relish given the almost sanitised atmosphere I'm subject to in the past 3 months. Having come this far I'm not risking infection to derail my chemo program. No wonder they say that women come from Venus and men from Mars. Cannot see what this excitement from testerone-laden car racing fanatics is all about.
Now that I'v passed the half-way mark, am looking forward to the completion of the course and am thinking hard the past days on how to celebrate its end.
sunnybunny
Back to Epirubicin. It was indeed strong going by the falling haemoglobin level (red blood cell count) since the start of the chemo session. I used to be a high 12 on haemoglobin and has since seen the level lowered steadily to the latest count of 8+. Any lower, blood transfusion has to be introduced. The attendant risks of this are high enough to prompt Dr Khoo to give me an iron injection. It certainly cost a lot ($1500) to bring back some colour to my cheeks. Hopefully, this, like the white cell booster shot, will stave the need for blood transfusion. It was comforting to know that the chemo drug's suppression of red blood cells is temporary. I should be able to return to my normal levels by Dec. What a relief! Meantime, food rich in iron is to be eaten in greater quantity.
My kind boss in HK has given me more days for medical leave by allowing chemo sessions as time off work. So, instead of reporting for work on Sep 10, I need report only on 21st, which is to be extended, much to my annoyance, by yet another week on account of the F1 race taking place during that period. Roads and car-park inaccessibility means that I'll have to take public transport to work, a prospect I do not relish given the almost sanitised atmosphere I'm subject to in the past 3 months. Having come this far I'm not risking infection to derail my chemo program. No wonder they say that women come from Venus and men from Mars. Cannot see what this excitement from testerone-laden car racing fanatics is all about.
Now that I'v passed the half-way mark, am looking forward to the completion of the course and am thinking hard the past days on how to celebrate its end.
sunnybunny
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