My Stage 3B Lung Cancer Journey

Day 1 Cycle 4 Chemotherapy - 1 July 2025 SPO2 = 97 BP = 126/88 Pulse = 75 Weight = 66.8 kg Temp : 36.2 C  HB1AC : 5.7 Off I went for my 4th chemotherapy infusion at Mt Elizabeth.  Went to the newly renovated Icon Cancer Centre.  More seats and space for patients.  My consultation with Dr Chan didn't really change much on my condition.  He was considering continuing with Alimta as a chemo treatment to control the cancer to help Tagrisso maintain a longer progression-free tenure.  He will decide after this cycle is over and take a look at my bloodwork. This time around I got an extra Vit B12 injection, like the 1st cycle.  The infusion was over and done in about 2 hours, starting with Dexamethasone, then Alimta (for about 10 minutes), a half an hour break, followed by Carboplatin (for 30 minutes).   Had minestrone soup and two sourdough buns.  Strangely my HB1AC went through the roof past 15 mmol/L and stayed up for most of the afternoon....

Day 25 Cycle 3 Chemotherapy - 30 June 2025 SPO2 = 97 BP = 126/86 Pulse = 79 Weight = 66.5 kg Temp : 36.3 C  HB1AC : 6.1

Day 24 Cycle 3 Chemotherapy - 29 June 2025 SPO2 = 96 BP = 112/85 Pulse = 76 Weight = 66.5 kg Temp : 36.2 C HB1AC : 5.9

Day 23 Cycle 3 Chemotherapy - 28 June 2025 SPO2 = 95 BP = 117/85 Pulse = 89 Weight = 64.6 kg Temp : 36.4 C  HB1AC : 4.0

Day 22 Cycle 3 Chemotherapy - 27 June 2025 SPO2 = 98 BP = 134/84 Pulse = 74 Weight = 66.0 kg Temp : 36.2 C 

Day 21 Cycle 3 Chemotherapy - 26 June 2025 SPO2 = 98 BP = 110/85 Pulse = 79 Weight = 65.9 kg Temp : 36.2 C 

Day 20 Cycle 3 Chemotherapy - 25 June 2025 SPO2 = 99 BP = 121/92 Pulse = 75 Weight = 65.7 kg Temp : 36.3 C 

Day 19 Cycle 3 Chemotherapy - 24 June 2025 SPO2 = 98 BP = 117/77 Pulse = 78 Weight = 65.5 kg Temp : 36.1 C 

Day 18 Cycle 3 Chemotherapy - 23 June 2025 SPO2 = 97 BP = 126/81 Pulse = 77 Weight = 65.9 kg Temp : 36.3 C 

Day 17 Cycle 3 Chemotherapy - 22 June 2025 SPO2 = 98 BP = 114/87 Pulse = 76 Weight = 65.7 kg Temp : 36.3 C  Skipped our usual prata this morning and went to FunToast for my chee cheong fun siew mai breakfast.  Been a long time since I had that.  Another hot and humid day and I was planning on going out to shoot, but decided against it.  Still felt a bit lethargic and stayed home. Lunch was chicken rice (!), but somehow it didn't taste like before.  Maybe my taste buds are affected.  Not too severely, but enough to alter some foods' taste.  Maybe that's why I prefer more flavourful stuff. Wanted to take a short nap after lunch but konked out for 2 hours.  Drove over to MY's to pass her some containers and also collect the soup that she made.   Quiet dinner at home.  Tummy still feels bloated at times and loose stools is still the norm. 

Day 16 Cycle 3 Chemotherapy - 21 June 2025 SPO2 = 98 BP = 121/82 Pulse = 74 Weight = 64.8 kg Temp : 36.2 C  Morning at our usual 18 Tai Seng kopi tiam.  Went out for brunch with Choon Fah, Angela and BK at this Aussie joint called Carrot Stick and Cravings at Robertson Quay.  All healthy food and I had the roasted eggplant sandwich.  It was a morning of many conversation topics and we actually stayed till past 3 pm!  Came home then went out again to deliver a book that someone wanted to buy from me.  It was dinner at the Lor Ah Soo kopitiam and we ate "normal" food. No other serious side effects and I always have to remind myself to hydrate through the day!  

Day 15 Cycle 3 Chemotherapy - 20 June 2025 SPO2 = 98 BP = 110/78 Pulse = 77 Weight = 64.7 kg Temp : 36.2 C  Got up early and had an early brunch.  I drove over to Changi T2 to attend a tender interview with CAG for our T3 Redevelopment bid.  I thought it went quite ok, and it all depends on how daring CAG is, in terms of what they want as the new "wow" factor for T3. This bunch seems to be more of the operational and business environment group and looked more towards the feasibility of implementation, rather than the vision of a revamped T3. Came home and took a long nap to rest.  But nothing out of the ordinary. Thus far, all the painful side effects have been resolved, and the rashes, general swelling of mucous areas remain but they don't actually affect my quality of life.   

Day 14 Cycle 3 Chemotherapy - 19 June 2025 SPO2 = 97 BP = 113/85 Pulse = 77 Weight = 64.6 kg Temp : 36.3 C  Went for my morning walkie as the weather was overcast and not as hot as previous days.  Had chicken bolognese spaghetti at the Lor Ah Soo kopitiam again for lunch.  I must say that I like the tangy tomato based sauce and it suited me as it tasted more flavourful and not too bland.   I headed out to United World College at Dover to meet their environmental and gardening groups.  Shared some knowledge about butterflies and plants and creating habitats for biodiversity.  It was good to be up and about and it seemed to energise me abit.   

Day 13 Cycle 3 Chemotherapy - 18 June 2025 SPO2 = 97 BP = 128/75 Pulse = 70 Weight = 64.6 kg Temp : 36.2 C  Still feeling a bit tired and lethargic.  The mouth/tongue ulcers have largely resolved and it was good to be able to chew and eat without much pain again. After lunch we went for my gym session as Joel was back from his reservist.  I mentioned to him about feeling breathless when I exercised more so he went easy on me.  But I still went through the motions of lifting weights and working on muscle building exercises. After a quiet dinner at home, I had an early night. 

Day 12 Cycle 3 Chemotherapy - 17 June 2025 SPO2 = 95 BP = 102/77 Pulse = 78 Weight = 64.6 kg Temp : 36.4 C  The mouth and tongue sores seemed to have peaked today.  Using Dr Chan's prescribed Oracort E may have helped abit too.  The sticky paste and mild anaesthetic seems to have worked.  Went for lunch of spaghetti chicken bolognaise at the kopitiam downstairs.  Quite good value for $3.50. Tidied my study room. Ok maybe just sorted a few things around and decluttered some boxes that I don't really need anymore.  Still feel abit lethargic but at least did my morning walkie. Dinner was fried rice from SRC.  It was nice being able to chew and swallow without the severe pain.   

Day 11 Cycle 3 Chemotherapy - 16 June 2025 SPO2 = 96 BP = 110/77 Pulse = 83 Weight = 64.7 kg Temp : 36.5 C  The mouth and tongue sores feel awful!  Each mouthful of food is sheer torture and chewing and swallowing is like burning myself each time.  Didn't feel like doing anything but just resting and sleeping.  Even lunch was a completely blended liquid stuff that wife concocted. The finger/toe issues seem to have abated and I have to remember to moisturise and apply the Fucidin antibiotic cream.   Hope the ulcers will resolve soon.

Day 10 Cycle 3 Chemotherapy - 15 June 2025 SPO2 = 97 BP = 127/74 Pulse = 78 Weight = 65.8 kg Temp : 36.3 C   Had our usual Sunday prata.  But the tongue and mouth sores made it a torture to even eat and swallow.  I had to take a painkiller to mitigate the pain. Felt tired and weak most of the day and lunch was less than usual because of the mouth sores.  I think I'll have to take the Panadol again before dinner just hopefully to make the meal more bearable.  At least the cold smoothie went down easier at tea time.  

Day 9 Cycle 3 Chemotherapy - 14 June 2025 SPO2 = 97 BP = 114/80 Pulse = 79 Weight = 65.4 kg Temp : 36.3 C   Morning at the usual hangout with my tar bao.  The tongue ulcer seems to be getting bigger and more painful.  Bracing for more painful meals in the days ahead.  Strangely, the mouth ulcers were absent in the 2nd cycle after quite a bad period in the 1st cycle.  But it's back again.  Left lower lip sore too. Lunch was bak chor mee and it was tasty!  Still feeling abit tired the whole day.  Some chest discomfort but hopefully not something serious. We walked out for dinner at the kopitiam downstairs and I had watercress soup and a few mouthfuls of fried rice.  The ulcers seem to be getting worse.

Day 8 Cycle 3 Chemotherapy - 13 June 2025 SPO2 = 97 BP = 128/81 Pulse = 73 Weight = 66.2 kg Temp : 36.4 C   Dr Chan sent over my urine report.  Doesn't seem to be much of a problem in the indicators.  He will update me when the bacteria culture comes back in a few days' time.  Went to office for lunch with our CorpComms girls.  Had fish porridge. Afternoon was clearing up the room and some discussions.  Then we had the Collaborative Contracting sharing sessions till about 6pm.  Came home for a simple dinner after that.   Condition is stable, but generally dry skin with some painful cracks at the heels and fingers.  The one on my right thumb is particularly painful.  

Day 7 Cycle 3 Chemotherapy - 12 June 2025 SPO2 = 96 BP = 123/87 Pulse = 74 Weight = 66.6 kg Temp : 36.4 C   The frequent urination continued last night.  I wonder if it's physiological rather than an infection.  It could also be a late side effect of Tagrisso, but it is still a point of concern if my kidneys are working overtime to get rid of the urine.  I also get this feeling that I am discharging more water than I am taking in.  

Day 6 Cycle 3 Chemotherapy - 11 June 2025 SPO2 = 9 BP = 113/80 Pulse = 74 Weight = 66.9 kg Temp : 36.3 C   Went to Mt Elizabeth Novena to see Dr Lee Kuo Ann, a radiation oncologist referred by Dr Chan.  The objective is to see what the options are for radiation, either proton or photon, as a follow-up treatment for my cancer.  The prognosis wasn't too good.  Dr Lee opined that due to the spread of the tumours, the damage to my other organs may have more downsides on my quality of life.  He said that it may be better to just depend on chemo/targeted therapy and take action later if there is progression.  He also shared that it will be difficult for me to get coverage for proton radiation due to MOH approvals. So it's just depending on Tagrisso after my 4th chemo cycle and hope for the best after that.  ChatGPT's estimate would be 36-40 months OS, if Tagrisso continues to work.  Came home for lunch and slept most of the afternoon as I did not g...

Day 5 Cycle 3 Chemotherapy - 10 June 2025 SPO2 = 98 BP = 130/94 Pulse = 85 Weight = 67.2 kg Temp : 36.5 C   Skin dryness and cracking heel area is beginning to show.  Tried moisturisers to hopefully reduce the dryness.   Went out for lunch with MY at Soup Restaurant at NEX.  Had some steamed chicken rice and sweet sour pork and soup.  It was nice to be out and about normally.  Better to be sitting at home and moping but I'll have to be mindful of infections due to my immunosuppressed condition. At least this time, there are no mouth sores that I have to deal with.  But skin dryness all over is beginning to show.  Also, although there is no perceptible hair drop, there is very little new growth, and the thinning hair is beginning to show. Though this is just cosmetic, it may be something to ask Dr Chan about when I next see him.  

Day 4 Cycle 3 Chemotherapy - 9 June 2025 SPO2 = 98 BP = 143/94 Pulse = 91 Weight = 67.9 kg Temp : 36.4 C   Had an online meeting this morning.  Nothing much to report on the side effects.  The pain in some of my finger tips is beginning to affect my ability to hold things normally.  

Day 3 Cycle 3 Chemotherapy - 8 June 2025 SPO2 = 97 BP = 125/81 Pulse = 74 Weight = 68 kg Temp : 36.3 C   Sunday outing to our usual prata place.  We were joined by Iyn and Kai Yen today.  The hiccups are back with a vengeance again.  Last time was particularly frequent, with about 30-45 min intervals.  That interrupted my sleep so I didn't sleep well.  One more day's worth of the Dexamethasone  and hopefully they'll go away like the last 2 cycles.   Lunch was porridge, and my 2nd jab of Zarzio ( filgrastim ) 30ml to improve my platelet level.  Then it's afternoon nap time! 

Day 2 Cycle 3 Chemotherapy - 7 June 2025 SPO2 = 97 BP = 121/79 Pulse = 83 Weight = 67.1 kg Temp : 36.3 C   HB1AC : - My Libre sensor expired, so no more HB1AC data for the moment.  Morning was my tar pow breakfast.  I believe the chlorpromazine is knocking me out, and I felt lethargic and sleepy most of the day.  But I was trying a new technique to take the Dexamethasone together with the chlorpomazine  together in the hope that it will alleviate the hiccupping.   Lunch was bak chor mee from Serangoon Central, then slept most of the afternoon. Dinner was some fish n chips and baby ribs from Lazy Lizard.  One more pair of Dexamethasone and chlorpomazine  and off to sleep.  But no, the hiccups came back quite quickly and interrupted my sleep quite a bit, and a 4am thunderstorm put paid to any quality sleep that I had hoped to get.  

Day 1 Cycle 3 Chemotherapy - 6 June 2025 SPO2 = 97 BP = 117/87 Pulse = 81 Weight = 65.3 kg Temp : 36.2 C   HB1AC : 5.4 Went off this morning to Mt Elizabeth Novena for my 3rd chemo cycle.  The change in venue was because the main clinic at Mt E Orchard was undergoing renovations.  It was the staffs' first day at this place and I could sense their stress.  However, everything was still professionally done and it was ok.   Dr Chan reviewed the PET scan report with us and he was happy with the results that showed a significant reduction in the tumours.  However, the ones in my left lung were also reduced, indicating that the earlier suspicion that the cancer had spread to the left lung was true.  Other than that, the outcome was generally positive and he discussed the possibility of a radiotherapy using possible proton radiotherapy.  He asked me to consider the options though physical resection is also another option.  To his own analy...

Day 24 Cycle 2 Chemotherapy - 5 June 2025 SPO2 = 98 BP = 117/82 Pulse = 80 Weight = 65.5 kg Temp : 36.2 C   HB1AC : 5.4

Day 23 Cycle 2 Chemotherapy - 4 June 2025 SPO2 = 97 BP = 120/87 Pulse = 74 Weight = 65.6 kg Temp : 36.3 C   HB1AC : 5.1

 Day 22 Cycle 2 Chemotherapy - 3 June 2025 SPO2 = 98 BP = 118/86 Pulse = 77 Weight = 65.9 kg Temp : 36.2 C   HB1AC : 4.9

Day 21 Cycle 2 Chemotherapy - 2 June 2025 SPO2 = 98 BP = 116/88 Pulse = 78 Weight = 65.8 kg Temp : 36.2 C   HB1AC : 5.5