No, I do not mean there has been a coup at the clinic!! I mean that, during my regular consultation with my oncologist, we discussed my longer term treatment plan...
...which is GOOD NEWS....
...because, in all likelihood, we will now continue beyond cycle 12. This is a good thing. It means that my oncologist is really pleased with the way I have withstood the onslaught of the first 8 cycles, as well as having good evidence that the treatments are making a difference (*) - so we'd be silly to stop at 12...
(*) It seems to be somewhat unusual that my body's resilience has allowed me to avoided a break in treatment over the last 16 weeks (16 weeks!), and - maybe as a consequence - the efficacy of that treatment means my CEA numbers continue to fall; he "expects a good scan" in 10 days time!!
In addition, we'll be shifting from weekly treatments (major and minor), to a fortnightly pattern, with one mega-treatment ever two weeks. It does give us a whole 10 days off from commuting to the clinic, "free time" that will be really welcome; but I am a tad anxious that the double dose of Cetoximab might have some effects. Ho hum, we'll see...
But it's not all good news (not bad, there's just more news...), my recent blood tests confirm why, during this cycle 8, I have been more feek and weeble: my white cell count has fallen close to acceptable limits.
So, at some point soon, I'll be prescribed a daily self-injection of a second "pinch an inch" drug, this one to stimulate the production/release of white cells from my bone marrow. While it's not painful (most of the time!) this is the one aspect of my daily routine that bugs me... but I need those white cells!
Otherwise, and not withstanding intermittent funny tummy challenges, we're doing OK. And I mean "we're", not "I'm": this saga involves us both, equally... for which I am unimaginably grateful.
I am so pleased you are doing so well. I did wonder whether when I get to the end of my 8 cycles someone, somewhere would start introducing something new. Shall have to wait and see ....but when the new thing means you are doing well, and that you will have a better chance, new is good news.
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