Hi all,
this is more of an informative update which will hopefully give people a bit of hope!
I’ve posted 6 weeks ago about my husband’s diagnosis of stage 4 cancer - the tumour itself is only 4cm but spread to his liver.
He’s now 12 days post first chemo after the first attempt went bums up. The first I’d say 5-6 days were AWFUL. He couldn’t stop heaving, taking chemo tablets in between was a real struggle as they’re quite large! 2x500mg + 1x300mg twice a day and it would honestly take him 2-3 hours to take, it was so exhausting for him. Days 6-8 were mid? He started eating, still struggled with his chemo tablets (we did try dissolving them but oh god; he said it tasted like drinking battery juice and it instantly irritated his pipe so I don’t know why the nurse even suggested that!)
Then end of day 8 came and suddenly, all of his appetite is back (I don’t think I’ve ever ran to tesco so fast haha! I was so excited he actually WANTED stuff to eat). Then on day 9, he took his chemo with no struggle, took him 5 minutes (I think it’s the fear of them getting stuck) but he did it, and he’s not had any struggle taking them since! The food is going down so much easier he actually started having textured food - he had gammon with a jacket potato yesterday! He says he can feel the difference in tumour size, he’s not had any difficulty swallowing for the first time in 2 months.
He even came to watch our daughter’s Christmas play and today we had the pleasure of watching her receive headteacher’s award. He genuinely feels and looks so much better. His appetite is immense, he actually wanted to drive his car this morning which he’s been avoiding for quite a while bless him.
The way he responded to his first treatment fills my heart with so much joy and hope. My husband is an absolute warrior and it’d take a lot for him to give up!
His next treatment unfortunately falls on Christmas Eve - he has to come in in his xmas pyjamas as they’re having a PJ day at his treatment centre, as much as his scared, he’s looking forward to it as he’s made some good friends so far. We’ll have a big family Christmas the sunday before his treatment and we’ll spend Christmas Day at home, with just our children, hopefully enjoying every moment of it.
hope you all have a lovely Christmas,
Vic x
Dear Vic, this sounds so positive, I’m so pleased to hear that treatment has got off to a good start. My mum is in a similar position to your husband, metastasis is to bone. She is 56 and in otherwise good health. Following first round of Chemo, she is also eating/swallowing so much better, has no pain, and has more energy than she’s had in a long time!
We’re exploring other targeted treatment possibilities through private blood and tissue testing etc. and I’m frantically researching and looking through forums to see if there is anything else that might be worth exploring.
I have sent a friendship request as perhaps we could connect more as carers? I have a toddler and a baby, and am caring for my mum as much as I can every day. I admire the fact you are looking after your children and husband through this, and hope you all have the best Christmas possible together 
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