Adcetris: The second cycle Day 18

I had the surgery on my elbow on Tuesday afternoon. I regret not having the forethought to video it. Dr Stu cut a large almond shaped section out, about 40mm long. There's seven or eight stitches. I'll be leaving them in as long as possible to ensure that the skin knits properly this time.

I must have stressed the wound somehow on Wednesday because it wouldn't stop bleeding until Thursday morning, soaking two lots of dressings and leaking onto the bedsheets. That reminds me... I must check my blood counts!
I got a blood test on Thursday just in case my platelets are low. I'm sure someone would have phoned if they were.  ;)


No problems with any side effects of adcetris at this stage of the cycle. It seems a shame to be going from feeling really good to feeling fairly crappy again after I get the third cycle on Tuesday afternoon, but it's a small price to pay in the scheme of things. I've been feeling so good lately that people have commented on it. There seems to be a real spring in my step. I'm no longer hobbling around like an old man.

The lump on my jaw however does bother me, it might be getting bigger it's hard to say.. I should really measure it I guess. It feels like It's about 12-15mm.
I have an ultrasound tomorrow morning, hopefully that will isolate what it is or isn't. I'll post what results I can glean from the technician.

Last night I attended the Hutt Valley Motorsport Club's annual prize-giving. I was pleasantly surprised to take away four trophies, I was expecting just one.
I won the K.M Archer Cup for fastest time of the day at Hillclimbs, The Debreceney Cup for sealed events over 2000cc, The Freeman's cup for best results at hillclimbs and the Regal Jewellery Cup for fastest time of the day at Mount Victoria hillclimb.

Not bad when you consider that I spent a great deal of last year in hospital, was pretty much an invalid and missed several events as a result! To say I'm pleased would be an understatement!  :)

..Ron

Day 15 of cycle two.

Sorry for the long break in updating.
Not a lot has happened healthwise. Here's an overview of the last five days..

The lump on my jaw is to be given an ultrasound scan on Saturday morning. Like myself, my GP had no firm idea what it might be. Could be a cyst, a reactive lymph node, a blocked saliva gland or a completely new type of tumour.. Personally I don't think an ultrasound will tell us much more than whether it's a lymph or parotid (saliva) gland. I think a biopsy might be needed to be conclusive.

I've been fairly well the last few days, however I've been plagued by diarrhea. A combination of the adcetris and antibiotics. I finish the antibiotics today.

This afternoon my other GP, Stu, will cut out the scar tissue on the "thing" on my elbow and stitch it up. I'm hoping that will be the end of it. If it doesn't heal this time things could get messy, I'll be running out of skin on my elbow to cut out! ;)

I've been busy sorting out a new layout in my workshop now that the Toyota has gone from the corner it was occupying. I've built a workbench out of left over timber from Sarah's workshop build and apart from having to buy the four posts for the legs, it's been a cheap exercise. I had a quote of $425 for a professional kit-set workbench to match the other four I have but I just couldn't justify the expense.

I've also nearly finished repairing my old drill press. It's 30 years old but in very good condition. It's been stuck on low speed for the last twenty years after someone tried to adjust the speed with the motor not turning. It's a fun thing to work on. Very "old-school" in design. It runs two pulleys that are of a variable size. By turning a knob you change the pulley size. The two halves of the vee in the pulley get closer together of further apart effectively making them bigger or smaller.

Anyway, it was totally seized up. I've stripped and cleaned it. Repaired the stripped gear and re-attached the tiny little chain that moves a big mechanical pointer that shows the rotational speed of the chuck. It's like a big meccano set. fun fun! :)

OK must go, I have a Nissan Skyline on the hoist waiting for a new rear muffler.

...Ron