Lymph nodes results

Hi AllyL ,

That’s better news than it could have been definitely so yes I’d view that as a win also. 

I’m pleased you’re recovering well from your surgery & I think we’d all be surprised if we were aware of just how many people these days are actually living with cancer. 

Nerve pain is dreadful, especially at night! I’ve been left with bilateral sciatica & my right side has been awful this week, I’m a natural side sleeper & the sciatica doesn’t like me being on my side so I’m over & over during the night. I’ve got everything crossed that yours will settle down soon. 

Sending lots of healing thoughts your way.

Nicola 

Hello Ally,

It goes without saying that I had been hoping that both nodes would be clear, so while I agree that’s a small win I’m sorry it’s not a complete one. 

I understand that it must be hard gearing up for the next round of treatment but I really hope that your appointment with the prof is productive and that you are able to further explore HIPEC. 

Your positivity remains so inspiring despite everything you’ve faced and continue to face.

I remain impressed by the services where you are and  have every hope that you will be able to access the best possible treatment in the shortest time. 

I’m sorry that you’re being impacted by nerve pain. It really is horrible and last thing you need on top of everything else. Very much hope it improves soon.

Wishing you all the very best for next steps and big hug to you. Xx

Keeping everything crossed for your results PEB.

Ally xx

Thank you Ally. The waiting is hard but hoping to get results and plan on 4th. Xx

Hello AllyL 

I am so very sorry to hear that - I had really hoped that the hot spots would be nothing.  But on the plus side (it must be difficult to find one) you have what appears to be a very bullish team looking after your best interests and within a timescale that most British oncology departments could only dream of.  I thought that you had already had systemic chemo, but I was obviously mistaken.  So I hope your experience will be like mine - some fatigue, hair loss but really bearable.

So to reiterate what I was told, "the systemic chemotherapy targets the lung (in my case my secondary), the lymph nodes, the primary, and the bloodstream, we are trying to stop anything new from the bloodstream spreading elsewhere, as well as targeting all the cancer".  And I was amazed to hear (I had had a second PET scan after the first treatment) that after one treatment everything had shrunk and was much fainter.  So I understand why your oncologist is taking you down the route of systemic chemotherapy before any other treatment is planned.

Ally, you are absolutely not a statistic; we are with you in mind and spirit.

Big hug

Irene

Morning Irene

As always your words give me lots of positive energy.

Fast appointments, scan results and treatment are the reason I still feel sane in this madness. I am hoping that the recent surgery does not delay my chemo start date.

I had 5 rounds IV cisplatin, along side my radiotherapy last year. It's really toxic stuff and not used so often in the UK. I managed it really well, no neuropathy, but I now have tinnitus.

Not sure what they will use this time, but all the normal chemo stuff is available. If it's all IV, I will have to stay in hospital this time as, the weather is still unpredictable over hear.

Big hugs back at you.

Ally xx

Oncology called, appointment and scans on the 12th March.

Results from CT tomography will be same day, so hopefully treatment will start soon after.

Spoke to surgeon about my sciatica and he has told me to get a referral to neurology, so will look into that with GP. The head guy has worked in the UK, so once again I will be lucky with the language barrier.

If this Doctor can help, I will have 3 Doctors with the same surname and thank goodness it's easy to pronounce.

It's the year of the Fire Horse, my sign and I was also born a Sagittarius. I'm trotting out bold and fearless as always.

Ally xx

Hi Ally,        
                                          Good to know that you’ve got your appointment sorted out so quickly. Once again I’m impressed by the speed and efficiency which is all to the good. I hope you can start treatment soon. 

I did smile at you having three doctors with the same name- another challenge. 

Hoping that you get some help with the sciatica as the additional pain and resulting lack of sleep must be difficult. 

Keep bold and fearless.

xx

Morning PEB

I have no 'up to date' experience of cancer treatment in the UK as Dad's treatment was nearly 30 years ago. 

The speed definitely helps with building anxiety and my ️ goes out to everybody waiting for weeks and months. To get that speed they have a production line, not sure everybody would like this approach. 

I arrived at the hospital 8am, the oncology reception staff start to process the paperwork to hand over to the registrar's. You carry your own medical notes to each meeting. Quick chat with registrar, very clinical. You wait for everybody in your group to be seen, then they 'heard' you to Oncology. Then canula, blood pressure and scans. All the scans will be looked at through the course of the day, so you just sit about waiting. I always opt to go home, late afternoon, but some stay. If you have something urgent the oncologist speaks to you that day, otherwise a phone call the following day with results. We normally leave at about 6pm, long day and you do feel like a number, rather than a human. The wards operate the same production lines. It feels very communist and I am not sure patients in the UK would be happy.

Thank you for your kind words regarding my pain, I've been lucky since my chemoradiation, no real problems. I remember you have had terrible pain since treatment. I hope things have eased and you are getting some help with that.

How is your recovery going from surgery?

I am still keeping everything crossed for your results on the 4th.

Ally xx

Great to hear your appointments are through Ally, got everything crossed that your treatment is underway soon.

I’m not sure if 3 Dr’s with the same surname would confuse me (not difficult sometimes!) I would have to have some kind of nickname for them but then would probably end up using that inappropriately

Stay forever bold & fearless lovely.

Nicola