Re:
I am going to quote THM now to justify my ranting here, because that is what this post will be:
“Keep us all informed. Share, rant, moan, laugh with us. We are here. Always.”
The accumulative effect of the Chemotherapy is now becoming apparent, and I am struggling to deal with the side effects. I spoke to my Oncologist on Wednesday 20th, and told her that I was keen to go ahead with cycle number 9 on Friday 22nd, although she suggested that I see how I feel with regards to progressing to cycle 10 a fortnight later. She mentioned that if I found the treatment too tough to continue with, that we could exclude the last 2 cycles from the protocol – blimey, it was a surprise to hear that.
Progressing with cycle 9 was touch and go as my Blood Count had fallen to a borderline level, and they needed to repeat the blood test again the next day on the Thursday to see if it had raised enough to go ahead. I am still self-administering White Blood Cell boosting injections, so it was on the cards that my poor little body may have recovered enough. Thankfully the 2nd result was just within range, so off I went on Friday to the WBCH.
By Friday evening however I was not having a good time, and just wanted to stop all of the treatment. Up until now I have recovered enough by the Monday or Tuesday to get on with stuff including riding my motorbike. There is no chance of anything like that at the moment. Then this morning I received the follow up letter regarding my telephone consultation with my Oncologist from the 20th, and she has put it in writing that I have the option to stop at 10 cycles.
“I have reassured him, that if we do cancel the last couple of cycles of treatment, it is not going to make a substantial difference to the outcome.”
Seeing it in writing has helped make the decision to stop at 10 cycles. I feel that it is a bit of a cop out, but remember that this treatment is not going to cure me, just delay the onset. I need to grab as much of this Summer as I can, so potentially I could be back doing stuff by mid-June if I stop at 10 cycles.
When I had my PIC Line flushed today I spoke to two senior Nurses, and they both said that I had hit a wall with the treatment, and there is no shame with wishing to stop after 10 cycles in June…… and salvaging the rest of this Summer.
Pip
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