Hi all, I am out of bed today, hooray!
Many people have been spurring me on reminding me I'm half way there. Well, unfortunately not yet, another two weeks and I'll be half way there as this is only the start of this cycle. Also, it appears this is actually probably the most difficult stage so far. I am so exhausted, I know what is to come with all the side effects now and that's a bit depressing. But this is also my last cycle on this combo of drugs. This is both a good and bad thing. Good, because the next drug does not have as severe sickness and nausea associated with it and I find the nausea the hardest thing to deal with. Bad, because it brings with it another unknown and a range of different side effects that I am or may not experience. The next drug is just a single one called docetaxol, again, it's a pretty strong chemo drug.
Going in for chemo this time was hard, I feel like my 'good' week of feeling well was actually taken up with the anxiety of the looming Friday and knowing what was to come.
I have a few appointments looming in the next few weeks - a routine ultrasound this week to check the size of the tumour and ensure it is stabilised and not growing - if it has grown at all they would probably do surgery immediately rather than complete chemo, but this is not likely. Best case scenario it is shrinking but from reading of others experiences with my type of aggressive, hormone positive cancer, it is the second drug that I am about to go on to, docetaxol, that attacks the tumour more. Every case is individual though so it's a wait and see. I just have to hope that the chemo has been effective at attacking any cells that may have escaped and be lurking elsewhere.
Next week is the meeting with Mr Surgeon where hopefully I will get a clearer idea of what my options are and what might happen, when.
I am looking forward to Christmas as I am very lucky that it will be on my good week when I should, fingers crossed, be feeling back to normal. I also have all my lovely family in-law here to spoil me :-)
Thanks as always for all your love and support. xxx
Sending you so much love. Lx
ReplyDeleteHi Jen, glad you're back on air and feel well enough to get out of bed.
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine how tough this all is for you and, as you say, the knowledge of what is to come must weigh heavily.
All I can say is that you will get there eventually you just have a painful and miserable route. Lets look forward to your good week and so glad it's at Christmas.
Thank you for going to the effort of keeping us up to date, we do appreciate it, it's good to know how things are with you.
I'll be seeing you next week at the first performance of our choir, please don't have any high expectations!
Irene and I will be pleased to see you
Keep doing the ankle twirls, you'll be back to yoga Ian week or two
Love Heather
Hi Jen
ReplyDeleteWho is this yoga Ian, Heather is on about? (Tee Hee). Waiting for results can be a really trying time, so hope all goes well with the ultrasound. Take someone with you when you see the surgeon. (I'm available if needed) For any options offered, remember what are advantages, disadvantages? What other options are available? I can let you have a whole list of other questions if you want. Take a notepad and pen. Or ask if you can record on Ipad - some say "Yes" but others are naturally apprehensive and say "No"