Still here ....

[angeladale]

Time for a positive post having been off site for many months ( give or take comments when I felt I had something to say ) . Early April , I had so many allergic reations to various chemos , and felt too washed out to be thoughtful or meaningful to anyone . Not depressed funnily enough but very weary of it all , plodding backwards and forewards to the hospital , I know you all know what I mean ...

Weekly Cisplatin since April accompanied with LOTS of steroids and other stuff have indeed shrunk the Tumours to- bearable- to -live -with -for- a -bit ...so , Oncologist reckoned more chemo would do little and in the scheme of things , a rest until we need to go at it again , would be in my best interests .

in the meantime CT scan late November means I have some months to get healthy ( yeh ! ) ) and I am downing lots of very high Vitamin B as recommended on the Dana Farber nutrional website , specifically for neuropathy caused by chemo . And it's helping .

Long weekend in Paris in August with husband prior to his starting a new post ; and hopefully off to Lake Garda at half term . ( We had been staring at his being unemployed but but he's now teaching close to home , which is even better . )

My son is working full time at Apple ( kids are resilient ! ) , he's shelved his dissertation until next year having been overwhelmed by our both being ill at the same time ...and for the first time in a long time , we are in a good place . We know it will come back ...but , in the meantime ,

Deluged as we are with tragic pictures from all over the world , as well as homelessness in this country ,

I keep feeling SO lucky . So , all good wishes to everyone , sending everyone strength and hope !!

This , prompted by Coffee Mornings tomorrow in local schools .

Off to make rock cakes ....

Angela

[Whippit]

Hi Angela, I was so relieved to read your post and know that so far things are under control and you are feeling upbeat. Holidays sound a great idea to get you both over a bout of ill-health and worries about your husband's job.

Do you ever do talks? I'm doing 'my story' talks at the Chelsea and Westminster for V year medical students over the coming academic year. Would love to find other women in London who might enjoy sharing the task.

xx Annie

[angeladale in reply to Whippit]

So pleased that you are keeping your head more than above water also ...

I taught for more than twenty years , ( secondary ) , and was an Actress before that ....I haven't done story talks in this capacity , but as long as I am energetic I am happy to be included . As for enjoy , well ,that would remain to be seen !

( tongue in cheek ).

[Taichipat]

Nice to read your update, even though you have certainly been through the mill, like a lot of us. I have not had a great time either but you just keep on dealing with what is throw at you don't you? After completing or nearly completing The Rotterdam it proved to be unsuccessful when on the Etoposide alone. I had rapidly rising blood markers and pain and discomfort. I had an urgent scan. I went for results yesterday and as I suspected their was progressive disease so next treatment will be Cisplatin and Gemcitabine 2 wks on 1 wk off. Not had a break from this ------ disease since May 2014. Was so looking forward to going away at the end of treatment and before the winter sets in but thats gone out the window. But I sincerely hope you have a good holiday, Lake Garda is beautiful and you will enjoy it. Having 10 days off from treatment to let the Etoposide leave my system and then off we go again.

Take Care,

Pat

[mummybear59]

Really great to hear from you Angela and such a lovely positive post. And really glad that your perseverance with treatment worked. 😃. Enjoy your time off, you deserve it.

Love M.B. X