I year ct scan update

Hi Bud

Go on as much as you like. I am in the same boat as you waiting for a date for my PET scan but without the reassurance about it being treatable yet. Being treatable is great news for you if it does turn out to be mets. I know that chemo sounds awful but I found it to be doable and the drugs available to help with side effects are great, where one doesn't work, another one might and you are so closely monitored, I found it very reassuring. Also remember that they can often change regimes or reduce doses so although it is hard (and it is) it might not be the hell that you imagine. I think that there is only one regime where you loose your hair(folfiri I think) but I might be wrong so there is no certainty that hair loss will be involved. I never lost mine last time.

It is most definitely not stupid to be this stressed. The stress is awful, it is all I can think about at the moment and my only coping mechanism is to keep busy, take afternoon naps to make up for the time I spend sleepless and worrying at night and the occasional cry. I just keep remembering how awful I felt when I was first diagnosed and how it got better when I knew what I was up against and as time passed. I am just keeping the faith that it will be like it this time, that at some point I/we will know what we are facing and then we can deal with it.

All hope is not lost

Nicky 

Hi Bud 18

They most definitely still don’t know what the nodules are . The PET scan responds to uptake but inflammation can also be picked up on them so the lung surgeon made a point of saying they could potentially remove them for the pathology to come back benign .

Stage 4 cancer is a work in progress currently . And it is also semantics to a point . They are inclined to start using words like treatable but the rule of thumb by surgeons in the UK is to operate with curative intent  only . So they are still aiming at the cure but just can’t say with certainty that they have got all the micro disease . It does mean like other chronic conditions like heart or kidney disease you will be monitored and it becomes part of your life . People with lower stagings end up leaving the oncologist behind , my mum has had hers for ten years . But she continues to live a really really full life . It’s just part of it .

The fact that they consider this treatable is great news and from what you are saying it sounds as though they are lining up your treatment in their minds . That’s a good thing . 

My mum has never lost her hair . First line treatment is not inclined to in bowel cancer . 

Couple of things to keep at the front of your mind 

1. Tiny tumour load 

2. Many solutions to the above 

You even have it in writing that it is treatable .

take care ,

Court 

Ohhh Nicky it's awful, I have also just returned to work which is a good thing keeps my mind occupied. 

Court has been brilliant in replying and what she says makes sense. 

Keep me updated on your progress let's hope this is a blip in recovery. 

We got this

Thanks again Court it's reassuring in what you say. 

Think my brain goes in overdrive but I pleased I returned to work as this helps me being around people. 

Love bud xxxx

Thanks again Court it's reassuring in what you say. 

Think my brain goes in overdrive but I pleased I returned to work as this helps me being around people. 

Love bud xxxx

Have a good day at work . 

You are only human but a great idea to keep busy and best foot forward as my mum likes to say .

take care ,

Court 

Hi Nicky ,

Thinking of you too and hope your getting some answers. 

Take care ,

Court