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!