Well, what a busy day! It began ok, Holly was walked and settled with hubs while I shot out the door and went for the bus, then the station......had a message from Caz saying that she had decided (by price!) to get a train an hour later which should still get us there in time before the end of clinic. I duly met her and we got a taxi up to the Royal Free, found the clinic, checked in and didn't have too long to wait. Her house mate had returned from her holiday just in time and met us at Euston too.
The clinical nurse specialist in Haematology was very sweet and guided us through what it all involves, most of which i had already researched anyway, but good to have it all explained and we could ask all sorts of questions. Then we saw Dr Macnamara, an Australian, the clinical lead there, very serious but nice too. Caz has been checked out and will respond to the trial for CD25, and actually it is now currently between phase 1 and 2 for trials, so as it is strictly not at trial stage, they have to ask permission from her PCT, which he doesn't see as a problem, since they have never had any previous trouble, if they do, they appeal.
It will not mean her feeling ill, just totally bored, the hospital room looks like any other but any visitors are not allowed in, just near, and not for very long at first, but lengthening as her radiation count goes down. Depending on the distance she has to travel, they decide when she can leave. since she could 'half-way' here it might be that she could be allowed out a day or so sooner. She then had bloods taken to be sure she isn't allergic to mice (trial developed via mice) and one or two other tests, she will have all the rest when the PCT agrees funding.
The people with agressive disease (which hers isn't) do less well with this, amongst the 40 or so they had in phase 1 of the trial, about a third, the other 2 thirds do ok, one of them quite well.
We all went off and had some lunch once she had settled down (yes, nervy as always) and she said that she wouldn't eat well or settle in hospital no matter how nice it was, so I suggested she ask for a mild sedative, which she thought a good idea.
Then we got the tube and went back to Euston, I caught an earlier train , they had some wait since Virgin trains are getting even more money grabbing and wanted £120 more each if they wanted to travel in 'peak time'!!!!!! thanks to a senior rail card I was ok! I was welcomed back by an exstatic little dog!
What a day you have had love, try to put your feet up tonight and relax dear lady.
That is such good news Caz getting this trial, although I know it will be very daunting for her and also for you as a family, will be keeping everything crossed for her dear lady, she will be ok love so try not to worry, easier said than done I know.
helen, I'm worn out just reading about your day - you must be exhausted. ~I'm so glad for you all that she's got onto the trial; as hse says, boredom will be a big problem! can she have her laptop? does she do jigsaws? Sorry, I'm useless at suggestions! Our thoughts and support will be with you all. Sue x
oh Helen im so pleased that Caz has got on the trial must be such a relief for you all, will still keep everything crossed for her. What a long and exhausting day you have had, hope you manage to get plenty of rest tonight. Love and big hugs to you all Dianne xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
haha, me too, worn out is the order of the day! Am about to get fish and chips from the take-away, and will be saying goodbye to Holly for the weekend, so will go for a massage tomorrow! This week has been quite a strain leading up to this....
hi everyone out there its taken me 2 weeks to try and send a messageon this site. very diff of your not familr with commuters. anyway im bevelle had mastectomy may 2008 chemo and now on herceptin . bac at work. coping not badly. if your out there and wish to write to me pleeeeeeese do as ive no friends yet to share things with.
hi everyone out there its taken me 2 weeks to try and send a messageon this site. very diff of your not familr with commuters. anyway im bevelle had mastectomy may 2008 chemo and now on herceptin . bac at work. coping not badly. if your out there and wish to write to me pleeeeeeese do as ive no friends yet to share things with.
there is a very strong thread with lots of ladies at various stages of their breast cancer treatment. It is in the first section titled General Cancer Discussion, it is usually on the first page and it is titled Breast Cancer and started by Heatheranne. If you go and submit a post on that thread will you find yourself surrounded by caring people, happy to share with you. all the very best
Sound's soooooo good to me Helen. Enjoy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
