The remainder of the Campath treatment seemed to go well. I didn't suffer the effects of flu-like symptoms as during the first two days. However the rash was still reappearing. So one of the dermatologists came to have a look. With rashes it is hard to pinpoint what the cause and hence the problem is, but he thinks it's come about because of the sensitivity of my skin due to the drugs, so then any heat or sweat can cause a rash. We've nicknamed it the 9:15 rash as it has appeared regularly at around 9:15 in the morning for the last three days.

This morning I was started on the Campath for the last time, and I was also hooked up to the Mesa drip, which lasts over 12 hours and is used to counter the side-effects of the Cyclophosphomide which was admisinistered later on this afternoon (click here for a more complete explanation of the drugs). I'll be hooked up to the intravenous (IV) drip for the next 72 hrs.

By the time of writing I'm still feeling ok, although a little light headed. That can be expected after having a pint's worth of chemo pumped into your body. With the chemo, it's just another bag the nurses put on the IV stand with clear fluid and there is no sensation when it goes in. Although I'm fully aware of what the chemo is doing I try not to think about the chemo going in but to treat it as another fluid. The whole process of chemotherapy at this stage has been pretty unglamorous, as different bags are hooked up to the IV stand and you wait for them to finish. The nurses come in at regular intervals to take the vital observations such as blood pressure and pulse, and temperature whilst giving my pills.

The chemo I've started today means that a lot more fluid will be entering my body. Normally fluid comes in through the mouth, but with an IV drip you get fluids through the veins as well. That isn't a problem with regular drips, but the Mesna and the Cyclophosphomide together contain over 3l of fluid (over 24 hours). The drips themselves contain a solution to act as a filler so that you don't get the pure drug administered directly as they are too lethal alone. As an example, the Mesna itself is no more than 5ml, yet it has been diluted to over 1000ml. It is a similar situation with the Cyclophosphomide.

As the body has to handle this extra 2l of volume the team are aware that the kidneys might not be able to filter all of this in time to the bladder hence leaving excess fluid in the body. Since excess fluid in the body may cause problems, I now have to write down how much I drink and when. Further I have to pee in containers so the nurses can measure my 'output'. Ideally the input should match the output, but usually there is inefficiency and hence not all the fluid coming in goes out straight away. They also weigh you to check this as well and already I've put on over 2kg today. If this happens too much they give a drug which is supposed to let the flood gates open, and the heavens poor.

Tomorrow I get the last dose of Cyclophosphomide, followed on Monday 28th Jan by the radiotherapy (not Radio 1).