It's been a while since my last post. During that time we've settled into our new home and new hospital. We are now just 10 minutes from the general hospital which is a great relief in case of emergencies. (We had the dreaded HEAT scare a couple of weeks ago and raced to A&E. Very rapidly triaged through and attached to drip fluids and iv antibiotics. Fortunately just a minor gut infection but the speed of hubby's treatment was impressive).
Folfiri chemo has continued and up to the 10th cycle now. Having dialled down the dex to a tolerable level it became pretty much routine. By 6 cycles he'd lost most of his hair and was tiring easily. However, and surprisingly, from there on he bounced back and his hair is even growing back!
Digestion issues are being controlled with Gaviscon and loperimide. So altogether not nearly as bad as we expected. The pump is a nuisance but heyho.
The 3 month scan showed a good response and reduction of the tumours. A PET scan looked at the node and concluded it was still 'vivid'.
A team meeting with the regional liver specialist has requested further scans to explore the possibility of surgery again. They would not regularly remove an active node but as it is near the liver (and other 3 tumours) it might be possible.
So onwards for another couple of cycles then decision time but a scale back to a maintenance regime at least is envisaged.
It's odd how we've come to accept the situation and live our lives through it. Hearing that the chemo was working was a huge relief and marked a big turning point in allowing us to begin planning for a future again- on the basis that at hubby's great age all futures are uncertain.
