As we mentioned in our last post, the first chemo did not go well. A rare reaction the the 5FU resulted in a ''cardiac event''. As a result we had a meeting with the oncologist to explore how we will proceed with Tony's chemo treatment.
It's another ''that didn't go as expected'' moment.
We discussed what might happen next over the weekend and we expected they'd tone down the drugs used to minimise side effects, we pondered if they'd perhaps admit Tony for future treatments so that he would be in a safe environment should there be any further issues.
Nope!
The oncologist explained that waht we have experienced is very, very rare. She's only seen it happen 3 times in her career. She explained that treatment would temporarily stop.
In that moment both Tony and I tensed. It was another moment in which the world stopped spinning.
I asked Tony what he was thinking, I could see the gears in his mind turning. He simply replied ''fear''.
I was scared too, anxious.
The oncologist explained they would pause chemo for 14 days to allow the drugs in Tony's system time to achieve as much as they can with regards to shrinking the tumor, we'd then go for a CT scan to measure the results. The CT results would then be discussed in the next MDT, a new treatment plan would follow soon after.
We had 2 options. If the team were happy with the chemo's work to shrink the tumor, we'd head for the surgery. The 2nd option was more chemo, just without the 5FU.
We talked in length during the appoinment about what has happened and why. The range of other treatments that are available and all routes we can take to cure this.
Something to note is that with the advancements in treatment cancer can be ''contained''. The oncologist explained that even if all curative treatments failed, they can make this cancer a ''chronic condition'' that you live with, rather than cure.
She did her best to soothe our very obvious anxieties and fears. I have to admit that it fell on deaf ears. Tony was clearly shaken, I was too focused on trying to keep his head above the water through my thinly veiled positivity.
It was yet another very quiet drive home.
As we have done every evening we headed out for a walk. Walking has been a huge hellp for us both during our journey so far. It really does clear your head and leave you feeling lifted.
Whilst walking we discussed our appointment, gradually coming to the conclusion that stopping treatment temporarily wasn't as scary as it first sounded.
Tony's main concern was that stopping treatment would allow the cancer to run riot. With calmer minds we realised that the chemo was still in his system and would be for the nxt 14 days, chipping away at the cancer.
Positive.
Option 1 going straight to surgery would negate the negative side effects of chemk and skoot us closer to a cure sooner.
Positive.
Option 2, an change to the chemo drugs would smash the cr*p out of the cancer and *may* clear it in full, meaning the operation wouldn't be needed.
Positive.
Tony mentioned in the appointment that swallowing does feel a little easier, suggesting the tumor may be slightly smaller.
Positive.
We ended our walk feeling brighter, more at ease with the next step and ready to move forward. As i'vbe said in previous posts, break a big problem down into smaller steps and it'll seem a lot less scary.
For now we're focusing on staying healthy, repairing Tony's heart. Our next step is the CT scan in 2 weeks time.
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