It's been a busy month. The past week has seen me in and out of Peter Mac Hospital. I have needle marks all down my arms from doing bloods, CT scans, heart tests, and more!
My results are in from the end of Picasso III Chemotherapy. The overall result shows that the cancer has stabilised and has been Progression Free (PF), for the duration of the trial. This is a very good result according to my doctor.
I am disappointed in one sense, as it leaves me basically where I started at the beginning of July. Healthwise, I am better than I was pre-operation as I was experiencing debilitating pain throughout April and May 2011 (Hysterectomy to remove a cancer-ridden uterus on 25 May 2011.)
I have been experiencing an array of Chemo side-effects from the accumulation of 6 rounds of therapy, but am told over the next few weeks these should gradually become more manageable. I am starting to regain my energy levels and am feeling positive about getting out more often.
Today, 30 November 2011, I had bloods done and met with the specialist to discuss my progress and future treatment. A return to work is to occur (finally!!!!!) and further blood tests and consultations will occur on 21 December to check my heamoglobin levels and general health. I will have a two month break from treatment with my next CT scan scheduled for the end of January to check on the tumors. From there, new treatments will be introduced based on these 2012 results.
For now, I am grateful for what I have and look to the future.
Love your Life,
Georgia
Tuesday 29 November 2011
Thursday 10 November 2011
Cycle 6 Chemo: All done for the time being!
On Rememberance Day, 11-11-11, I am happy to announce I have now gone through the 6 chemo applications for the Picasso III Trial! It is now time for a small break in treatment. YEY!!!!!!!
It means I will now still have a series of very important tests over the next 3 weeks on my major organs to ensure all are functioning properly. Even more vital, I will have a CT scan to again assess the effectiveness of the treatment delivered in this trial. This will all be followed up by monthly checks and surveys over the course of 2012.
Following the final CT scan at the end of November, a team of specialists will meet and assess my progress and decide the next course of treatment as we head into 2012.
For the future, chemotherapy is definitely on the table; Ifosfomide is the next standard treatment, and this typically requires a stay in hospital as it has highly toxic side-effects. Another possibility is a hot off the press medication which is an alternative to chemotherapy and is given orally in tablet form. It is called PAZOPANIB. It would mean having a longer break (potentially), from chemotherapy. It is a treatment in the USA, but not currently available in Australia. My specialist may be able to apply for it on compassionate grounds.
For now, I need to continue to manage the known side-effects from my latest chemo and still avoid contact with infection. Thanks for your understanding by staying away when illness has struck. Remember, Skype is a fantastic form of contact and I am loving it when some of you folk get in touch. Cycle 5 was rough and I am expecting the same for this one.
A special thanks to our wonderful friends who visited from Adelaide for my chemo session at Peter Mac today- you know who you are. It was such a treat, and the Movido lunch afterwards capped it all off!
Love your life,
Georgia
It means I will now still have a series of very important tests over the next 3 weeks on my major organs to ensure all are functioning properly. Even more vital, I will have a CT scan to again assess the effectiveness of the treatment delivered in this trial. This will all be followed up by monthly checks and surveys over the course of 2012.
Following the final CT scan at the end of November, a team of specialists will meet and assess my progress and decide the next course of treatment as we head into 2012.
For the future, chemotherapy is definitely on the table; Ifosfomide is the next standard treatment, and this typically requires a stay in hospital as it has highly toxic side-effects. Another possibility is a hot off the press medication which is an alternative to chemotherapy and is given orally in tablet form. It is called PAZOPANIB. It would mean having a longer break (potentially), from chemotherapy. It is a treatment in the USA, but not currently available in Australia. My specialist may be able to apply for it on compassionate grounds.
For now, I need to continue to manage the known side-effects from my latest chemo and still avoid contact with infection. Thanks for your understanding by staying away when illness has struck. Remember, Skype is a fantastic form of contact and I am loving it when some of you folk get in touch. Cycle 5 was rough and I am expecting the same for this one.
A special thanks to our wonderful friends who visited from Adelaide for my chemo session at Peter Mac today- you know who you are. It was such a treat, and the Movido lunch afterwards capped it all off!
Love your life,
Georgia
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