You know when you've had an 'Up' there is often a bit of a downer to follow . . . . ?
I saw my Oncology Consultant for the last time yesterday. She retires at the end of the month, so I presented her with her very own 'Knit a Pair of Socks' pack as we left ~ she always sees me when I'm knitting in clinic or on the ward. She was very touched, and gave me and my husband lovely hugs. It got a bit emotional, to be honest.
I don't think I'll be doing the same for the New Guy who apparently is a grumpy Yorkshire man. Oh, well makes a change from working with grumpy surgeons I guess . . .
But the main news is that following the big MRI scan last week, the results show that the current chemo drugs are only keeping me in a holding pattern. The tumours haven't got any bigger, but then they haven't got any smaller either, which considering my age etc etc is not what we want to happen. We talked about new drugs and regimes and it looks like I'll be back on IV chemo next month. I can't start yet because there is no space in the Chemo Unit, and to be honest that's quite all right with me. I asked for a permanent line to be put in ~ after 2 years of chemo and blood tests, my veins are dreadful and I would hate to have my treatment postponed time after time due to lack of accurate punctures. At least with this system I will have an open portal to a good vein, and the nurses won't need to play Paper, Scissors, Stone for who tries to find a workable blood vessel each time.
This needs to be done before I start IV chemo obviously. As does the removal of one chest drain and the insertion of a bit of special talcum powder to 'stick' the two layers together. My left side has reduce the amount of output each time so that now I fluctuate between 20 ~ 120 mls every few days. This hopefully is small enough for a pleurodesis to be effective.
http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Resourcessupport/Symptomssideeffects/Othersymptomssideeffects/Pleuraleffusion
And of course it means one less thing sticking in/out of me to worry about.
Wouldn't it be great if everything was done at the same time? *sigh*
Anyways, I am a bit low after that. Especially as over the past few days I've been feeling so well ~ better than I have done for months actually. I'm hoping that the arrival of a new member of the household will keep me cheered up for a bit, and that I'll be physically fit enough to enjoy having the puppy around. This past weekend has been spent wandering around kennels, looking for our 'forever friend'. On Sunday we found the perfect breeder, the perfect bitch and a litter of perfect pups! We go back in 2 weeks to choose which one of the boys is coming home with us, and 2 weeks after that Charley will be scampering around our house. That is making me smile and that hopefully will keep my spirits up for a while longer.
So in the mean time, I am back on the oral chemo for the next 3 weeks, and after that everything will change again. BTW, it looks like I'll be wearing my purple wig again this summer. After looking up drug side effects last night hubbie pointed out, there'll only be one poodle in the house! :)
Haven't seen you being active on the site for a while and I was becoming concerned. As you say, good news... bad news... Such a shame you're loosing your nice Consultant. You'll have to try a 'charm offensive' on the new one and if that doesn't work give as good as you get!
Having a new puppy in the house is almost like having a new baby - a bl**dy shock to the system. You forget about the pathetic whining in the middle of the night, the puddles, the gnawed furniture, and the sharp little puppy teeth sinking into your hand! What breed are you having - is it really a poodle? Oh... I'm sure whatever it is it will bring you joy and the strength to fight the 'beast'!
If they are allowed to be real dogs. Big, strong and fast dogs, confining them to the show ring is such a pity. Sorry for the hobby horse! We have had our last two (border collies) at 10 months, almost adult, but with lots of training work needing to be done.
My oncologist is more than grumpy. He seems to be in a perpetual rage, but he is lovely to his patients. My diagnosis is that he loves his patients, but hates Cancer. It fits all the symptoms.
It seems so unfair that you have to go through even more treatment, but let's hope it's worth it this time. Have fun with the purple wigs, and scarves are comfortable in the glorious summer we are going to have.
I thought my consultant was grumpy, but she has turned out to be OK. I think I have brownie points and I attended a presentation on her Out Reach trial to give the "patients feedback". Nearly had a heart attack whren all these people kept arriving and she said they were the audience. As Kate say if he's a grumpy bugger give him it with both barrels.
Sorry your bits aren't shrinking, but they aren't getting bigger either and thats good.
Great news about finding the right breeder, you'll have so much fun training Charley. I'm really pleased for you, as well as being quite envious.
Awww girls, you make me so happy! 'Tis so nice to know that people are thinking about little ole moi ~ and Charley! And yes, KateG he's a real standard poodle pup ~ we've even got the pedigree lineage to prove that he comes from very high champion stock. Not that we intend to show or breed him ~ just lots of love and fun for a very adorable pet.
Back on the cappi and feeling very slow today . . . .
I always wanted a poodle but husband and daughters turned up their collective noses! I know they need the occasional hair cut but at least you aren't left knee deep in dog hairs. We've had one Golden Retriever, three Alsatians, and are now on our third and fourth Flat-Coat Retrievers (Bonnie and Clyde). I'm sure Charley will be a real bundle of fun.
