Bittersweet

Yesterday as mentioned was the big day and what a big day it was. First I had my comprehensive CT scan and then the follow up with Sean my oncologist to see how the treatment and cancer were doing. After the initial greets and trivia he cut right to the chase and said that the Lung lesions were much smaller and some appear to have dissapeared !, but that it appeared there was no improvement in the lymph node tumors / lesions. He said he wasn’t happy with the radiologists report and asked if we could wait 20 minutes while he went through to clarify some things. 40 nerve racking minutes later he returned with a huge grin on his face and spilt the beans that they had made a stuff up on the interpretation of the scan. In actual fact the radiologist had not even compared the 2 scans but had compared the new one to the previous written report ! Not to the previous scan from 12 weeks ago.

So after Sean had the idiot superimpose the new scan on the old one the feedback was totally different. That was that the lymph node lesions are also smaller and backtracking. Sean later told me that the initial report cited a new tumor which was rubbish as well as the false info that it was static and no change was evident.

So the outcome from yesterday is very favourable and the treatment due to its success is continued as is. The other indicators although not as important as the results form the scan are also good with the blood tumor markers showing a decline and the blood count being very good when it was rock bottom at the same time last week. My white blood cell counts was 1,8 - minimum should be 4 and the platelet count which was 37 and should be a minimum of 140. This means the immune system was up on blocks and if I started bleeding I would have had big trouble stopping it with hardly any platelets. Yesterday they were at 7 and 325 respectively. Even the oncology nurses couldn’t believe how the platelets had jumped. So for me and Wilmien it was the news we wanted and we were both euphoric with the news. Interestingly Sean said that if the tumors disappear altogether so soon or too quickly it can be a worrying sign so the fact that we are making good steady progress is top news. Good thing he is so thorough and does not leave anything to chance. Had he taken the report from the radiologist as fact I probally would have been in a heap of despair and the treatment which is working well would have been changed. I asked if I should go past the radiologist and give him a piece of me mind, all he said was that I could have what was left after he had already taken upon himself to have a go at him ! Nice to know that he is that good and thorough ! Amazing too how the staff at the oncology centre also root for you and were awaiting the results and the joy they share with you on such positive news !

I was then sent through to the chemo room where I had my double dose of chemo (roundup and diesel). My hair is thinning but I have no more weight loss and am feeling really good with no pain and discomfort. Am just taking it easy while affording myself the time and rest to recuperate and march to what I hope and trust will be remission. While yesterday was a nervous day with the result we were hoping for we remain modest in our approach to this challenge and take one step at a time.

I have used bittersweet as my title with the sad news from Friday of the untimely death of Gareth Bradbury in a car crash which has now also claimed the life of his and Adri’s 7 month old daughter Mikaela. Our thoughts & prayers go out to Adri & daughter Cammy who are recovering in hospital. We wish them a speedy recovery and wish to tell them they are not alone. They were so supportive of me & Wilmien and have now had this tragedy beset them. We wish them well and look forward to seeing them.

Amazing how one can never take anything for granted and how much we can all just be grateful for ! Live each day to its fullest and embrace everything that we can and live a full life.

Well with my positive news I bid yee farewell, I will be shaving my kop today as it really is getting rather thin and stringy. I continue with my partially revised diet and have now hit the glyco - nutrients which are all the buzz and judging by my bloods response may be what we need to take the battle on.

To all who have visited and posted comments a million thanks, I draw strength and courage from it. To the guys who completed the hell & back Mountain Bike race well done and I look forward to taking part again next year.

I will pop a pic on here shortly, until then keep your chins up.

Douglas