*A lymphocyte is a type of white blood cell that is part of the immune system. There are two main types of lymphocytes: B cells and T cells. The B cells produce antibodies that are used to attack invading bacteria, viruses, and toxins.
I've been feeling unwell for 5 or 6 months and gradually having less energy, greater breathlessness, more aches and pains - like having the flu without all the snotty stuff. The blood results have shown that the amount of white cells and particularly lymphocytes in my blood have been fairly rapidly increasing, whilst the red cells and platelets have been plunging.
The drug is known as Ibrutinib : Macmillan explain it pretty thoroughly.
Beware - images of drug taking!
By the end of that first day - which was in reality about 3:30 in the afternoon - I'd helped at Bushmead Christchurch Thirst cafe's Advent Singalongadingdong, Id set up, sung and played and led the community singing - with help!
Singalongadingdong-Thirst Cafe Bushmead
I'd driven there and back eaten sausage roll and cake and achieved most daily things along with yet more blood tests - and not really experienced any adverse side-effects apart from some light-headedness and a little dizzy spell plus a headache. But as mentioned I was done in by half three. I was asleep by the start of Gogglebox (actually watched Saturday morning)
Day two - I awoke at four thirty - feeling normal for me with aches and a thick head - like a hangover - yet no booze consumed. Pills taken and no further side effects emerged! I felt fine - for me. So we decided to take on the day as planned.
We had been invited to a memorial event for the late Chair of Headway Luton trustees who passed away in August; earlier this year. She was indeed the first of three bereavements within a few days; including my old mate Tony Little and of course my dear old Mom. It was a pretty emotional affair - firstly for the family and then secondly for me - as it brought forward memories of Mom's passing and funeral. By coincidence both Mom and Bobby were laid to rest in Countryside settings; Bobby having a humanist ceremony. We also met some of the Headway Luton trustees paying their respects.
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| My Statue from the Jansenn Blood Cancer Awareness Art Installation |
Day three- we had a duvet morning. I think the stresses , physical and emotional, have taken a lot out of us. The last few weeks have been pretty highly-strung. We toddled off on a walk to get a bit of oxygen and other benefits and returned unscathed; with just a couple of stops for breath.
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| Dec 3rd at Wardown Park |
We now have weekly clinics; which unfortunately fall on a Wednesday morning, so I will have to miss the Foodbank for a time. I will try to keep up the rest of my routine and not fall into invalid status as happened during the chemo.
I've recently become a Trustee of the CLLSA (click for more information. It is fascinating for me to be in a better position to support others with this disease. The initial meeting for me was in Birmingham; fortunately close the New Street Station. I was very pleased to meet the other Trustees and join in meaningful discussions on the way forward to develop support for both patient and carer.
I'm trying to keep this an almost daily blog. My website is out of date and I've forgotten most of my coding skills!
Best wishes one and all,
R
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