So, 1st follow up CT scan had shown a 50% reduction in all tumours. The next showed continued improvement and we were feeling very optimistic. The Christmas period was a struggle for Rod because the mouth soreness caused by the mucositis made eating extremely painful, then he had a cold and put his back out. With the agreement of the trial people at Amgen, Rod just had the trial/placebo when his 8th cycle was due on 15th January. We went skiing on 18th for a week. He still got a hoarse voice and sore mouth. Added to this the nails on his big toes both went white and started to come away from the nail bed, with the toes becoming red and inflamed, making it painful for Rod to walk.
He had the full treatment/8th cycle on 29th January, CT on 3rd February and we went to Krakow for a few days on 4th. The mucositis worsened again and the toes didn't get better. His next review with the oncologist was on 10th, a day before his 64th birthday.
We were devastated to be told that there was further spread and the primary tumour was growing again. The oncologist told us he's now off the trial and she prescribed a different treatment, just chemo. He'll be on Paclitaxel, 3 weekly doses then a week's break. He'll have a CT at 3 months. The hope is that the side effects won't cause the pain he has had. He will lose his hair though.
This was a real wake up call, reminding us that he may have just months before the inevitable final decline. There have been tears, grom both of us, as when he was first diagnosed. However, it's pointless wallowing in sadness while we still have time together.
We have a theatre visit and concert booked in next month and in April. We've just booked a 2 night stay in Weymouth before his 2nd line treatment starts in March. It's where Rod's Dad used to live and his ashes are scattered up on Ringstead. This will be an emotional trip but full of sweet nostalgia too.
