More Chemotherapy and a Hickman Line

I got the results of my CT scan on the 29th October and the cancer is getting worse again. This time the main problem seems to be in my liver, although the tumours have grown in other areas as well. Earlier in the year I had decided not to have any more chemotherapy but, after hearing what would happen if I didn't have it and about the improvements in the chemotherapy itself, I decided to go ahead. After all, if the side effects are really bad I can always change my mind (again!)

According to the consultant, if I don't have the chemo I'll be very ill within 2 months and dead within 6. Also, although I'll be having the same chemo drugs (Carboplatin and Paclitaxel), they will be given in a different way. Instead of once every 3 weeks for 6 weeks (one dose = 1 cycle) it will be once every week for 18 weeks (3 doses = 1 cycle). This means the doses will be smaller, and hopefully that means the side effects will not be as bad.

I have to admit I took the news badly. I don't know why. I knew what they were going to say, and the consultant seemed very positive about it working. Apparently this way of having the chemotherapy has had some very good results. Still, it's a hard choice to make and in the end only I could make it.

I'm feeling much better now and more optimistic. Hopefully the chemo won't be as bad and last Thursday I had a Hickman line  (also know as a central line) put in. This will be a great help as my veins are terrible. They never really recovered from the first lot of chemo I had, and the nurses have terrible trouble taking blood and putting needles in for chemo, CT scans etc. The Hickman line will hopefully save a lot of time and make things a lot easier.

I'm back in clinic on the 15th November and on the 19th I start the chemotherapy (fingers crossed all goes well).

Chemo?

I went for a CT Scan on Thursday to find out what is going on  inside.  I get the results in a couple of weeks and then have to decide whether or not to have more chemotherapy.  I put the decision off last time I was at clinic, but I don't think I am going to be able to get away with that again!

I had decided earlier this year not to have anymore chemo, but things have changed a bit since then.  The main difference is my bowel blockage has been sorted out and, although, the tumours are growing back in that area, they are not causing the same problems.

Quality of life is my main concern.  I always feel very ill when having chemo and earlier this year I was told that it would only add a few months to my life.  It was a hard decision to make, and I was feeling very ill anyway, but in the end I decided that it wasn't worth it.

Anyway, before I can make a decision this time, I will need to know how much longer would or could be added to my life and how ill the chemo would make me feel.  I'll let you know my decision when I make it!

Going Away (Hopefully!)

Tomorrow I'm going away for a couple of nights, just a short break to Norfolk. At least I hope I am. Recently, every time I plan to go away, I end up back in hospital, or I'm unable to go because of some other medical problem.

I was planning on going to Norfolk, Devon and Cornwall last month, but I had had some problems with my breathing and was told the day before I was due to go that I had fluid on my chest.  I was still determined to go, and actually set off, but halfway to Norfolk I decided that it was too risky and came home.  A couple of days later, as my breathing was a lot worse, I ended up in hospital for a couple of nights having the fluid drained - not my idea of a short break! Anyway, I feel ok now so hopefully everything will go okay this time.

Going on holiday when you have cancer is not easy. For a start there is the problem of health insurance.  I can't get any, and even if you can it is extremely expensive. I think there are some companies that offer insurance to people with cancer - Macmillan Cancer Support should be able to help you find them.  I just get insurance for luggage through the Post Office.

The most important thing you needs is your EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) which is free and you can apply for it online.  This mean that you can get 'state-provided healthcare in all European Economic Area (EEA) countries and Switzerland at a reduced cost or sometimes free of charge.'   Although you still have to be careful.  I've been told that France and Spain are ok to go to in regard to healthcare (getting it and the standard), but other countries might not be so good.

I was planning on going to Spain earlier this year for some sun and rest after finishing chemo last October.  Unfortunately that had to be cancelled as that particular lot of chemo didn't work well and I needed more.

Anyway, hopefully this time I will actually make it all the way to Norfolk and won't have to worry about hospitals and healthcare!