Hi Ladies,
I am in my first remission folllowing chemo and op, and asked my Oncologist about maintenance therapies to prolong remission. He said there wasn't anything useful but I was frustrated because I wanted to understand why. I'm a bit of a pain because I need evidence.
Ovacome gave me the name of an Oncologist in Leeds who agreed to see me for a second opinion, and what a fabulous doctor! It was so worth it.
He explained to me, as my doctor had, that there isn't anything that would prolong remission for me, but really explained why. The most interesting thing was Avastin, but because of the way it works, it hasn't been shown to help women who have responded well to chemo and have no active disease of more than 1cm. (Although he went into a lot more detail than this)
He also mentioned that women with the BRCA1 gene mutation usually do better both in how we respond to chemo and are usually at the better end of the prognosis. No-one had discussed any implications of BRCA1 for treatment with me before.
The question has been asked on here before about whether shoulder pain is relevant. It was one of my first symptoms, and he said it could be significant because it could be referred pain from irritation by the cancer to the diaphragm. (Which is where you feel pain somewhere different from the origin because the nerve supply is connected).
I feel so much more peaceful, and although the answer was the same, that's fine, because I understand better why.
While I was in the waiting room, I noticed a lovely poem by Char March which I would like to pass on, called 'Ridge Walking'. I haven't reproduced it because I didn't know whether that is allowed, but it is easily available on her website.
I hope everyone is as well as possible and enjoying the sunshine if you have it.
Thank you to Ovacome for the advice.
Warmest wishes
Sue
xx