Hi,
Was recently in August diagnosed enteric thymic adenocarcinoma t2n2m1b status with a spread to a nearby lymph node making surgical resection off limits as deemed too high risk for now so straight into chemotherapy. My first oncology meeting with my team last month agreed on a regimen on the FOLFOX 12 cycles lasting two weeks each as they identify that this cancer has a genetic makeup similar to bowel cancers making this treatment the right fit. The agreement was to have a scan after the 6th cycle being the halfway mark to see how it is responding.
I had my first cycle and that seems to have gone well. No concerning side effects and my blood tests (which I am meant to have three days before each infusion) were all good and "in range" and when I went for my meeting with the oncology GP she looked and sounded very enthusiastic commenting that I am looking well (very ironic, I know) and that she was impressed with my bloods that show I am handling the treatment well and now she wants to arrange a CT Scan after the 3rd cycle which was not in the original plan. I know it feels tempting to try and look for good signs but I am wondering if adding this extra early scan could be her way of trying to indicate she may be feeling optimistic about my treatment in light of all this?
I am in my early 40s and my ECOG score is 0 so a good baseline profile. Prior to this I was having regular heavy coughing fits but these seem to have reduced to only taking place with a few huffs and throat clears first thing in the morning or after eating and when breathing in I have felt a bit less of a crackling in my throat area. I am wanting to hope there could be some signs that the FOLFOX is actively doing its job and potentially shrinking the mass considering all this. The original aim of the treatment was stated as "control" and not cure nor even neoadjuvant but I want to believe this could change that to become shrinkable and resectable as the cycles go on.
Does anyone have any feedback or similar experiences?
Hello anonymousperson
I am Brian one of the Community Champions here n the Online Community. I have just noticed your post has gone unanswered. I can't answer it myself as I have a different cancer, however by me replying your post will be "bumped up" to the top of the page and I hope seen and answered by someone from the Thymus cancer group.
I wish you well with your continuing chemotherapy,
Best wishes - Brian.
Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm
Strength, Courage, Faith, Hope, Defiance, VICTORY.
I am a Macmillan volunteer.
