Hi Christine,
Ahh the cisplatin hearing issues. I've had a hearing test today and everything is normal. My test hasn't changed much from the test I had in July, so that's good. The muffled sound has gone and the ringing is slowly stopping. If I choose to continue with cisplatin, then I have to make that decision on Monday with my medical team.
They've given me the following options:
1) Continue with cisplatin on the same dose if everything is OK.
2) Continue with cisplatin but on a reduced dose, if everything is OK.
3) Stop cisplatin and just continue with RT
I've heard about carboplatin and fluorouracil (5FU) but I've not read up on them yet and so am not sure if either are an option for me. Again I'll find out on Monday.
At the moment I'm torn between wanting to continue with cisplatin as I know it works well on my cancer, with the RT and with pembro, but a weekend of muffled ears and a week of tinnitus after each dose, both turned me into a very grumpy woman
Extra liquid is not a problem. I've been hitting 2.3 - 3 litres a day, on top of ensure shakes or food. I once had kidney stones after not drinking enough fluid and vowed never to have that pain ever again
The week has been much better. I'm finding that I'm addicted to trying different soft drinks. Nothing sparkling like soda, as that makes my mouth foamy, but many a still drink form smoothies, juices, yoghurt drinks, kefir, flavoured waters, cordials, I'm like an addict whenever I'm out. I think it's because I'm expecting the taste loss during week 3 or week 4 of my RT so I'm trying to get as much flavour in my mouth as possible.
Tiredness is starting to kick in, so I've had a few early nights which has massively helped, and I'm also eating well, a combination of ensure (where I'm adding fruit to thicken them up and add extra nutrition), soups, smoothies, a curry (extra sauce and mixed with some rice), yogurt and ice cream.
I've foolishly planned a weekend away at the end of week 6, just before my final week of treatments. It's a trip to see my sister and her family which involves me heading straight to the hotel after travelling a couple of hours. The next day my sister has booked me into a salon to sort out my hair as I believe some of it will fall out during RT. I'll then head to hers to see my nieces and nephew before probably heading back to the hotel. I know it's ambitious and can be cancelled, but I'll see how I go.
Hope you're having a good week
