You may
remember that in the last blog post I was very unwell following chemo, I was
rushed to hospital, I had a syringe driver inserted and was then sent home.
The next day
the district nurses arrived to our house at 11am. They were very efficient and
professional and had the syringe driver restocked with the medications in a
matter of minutes. They came for the next three mornings. On the third morning
I asked them to take the syringe driver down as I was feeling so much better;
no nausea and I felt I could cope without it.
My energy
levels built up gradually over the next few days, alongside this my appetite
was also beginning to improve.
I had a
review ultrasound scan 6 days after the chemo session. The scan tracks any
changes positive or negative in the tumours, (remember they have left markers
in me for this purpose). This gives the Oncologist feedback as to how effective
the Chemotherapy treatment is.
On
this occasion I was confident in putting on my gown correctly.
The nurse
who accompanied me joked that “I’m sure you’re experienced in putting on the
gowns by now…” Indeed…
I initially
met with the Surgical doctor. She explained that I would have the scan and then
meet her afterward. She gave me a thorough boob check as is now expected at
these appointments!!
I sat
briefly in the waiting area, it always shocks me how everyone is totally silent
here. Approximately 15 women, all in gowns waiting for scans and mammograms.
Normally in such a waiting room environment people chat to one another, compare
the weather etc. BUT NEVER HERE. Barely
any eye contact with one another, at best a weak smile. We are all sitting
processing our own thoughts I presume, it’s a very intense atmosphere.
I was called
and went through to a side room, I lay on the couch and the Radiographer applied
the cold gel to my breast and began to scan the tissue. She took measurements
and brought in a Radiologist for confirmation of these. She showed me the scan
and explained the detail of it, which I found really helpful to actually see
for myself the detail of what keeps being discussed. This gives me the ability
to mentally process and digest the information, and if at all possible helps
puts me a little at ease.
SMALL GAINS
I changed into
my clothes before meeting with the surgical consultant again. She explained that the ultrasound scan showed
a 30% REDUCTION in the size of one tumour and a 40% REDUCTION in the other tumour.
This was
such amazing news. I was recovering from an intolerable experience with the
last chemo treatment, to know there had been such a significant effect after
just 3 chemo sessions meant the bad days were worth putting up with.
The scan
result means they will continue with the remaining 3 Chemotherapy sessions. Had
the outcome of the scans been less positive (no change or an increase in size)
they may have decided to discontinue Chemo and proceed straight to surgery.
The positive
outcome of the scan has helped to refocus me, and shown me that yes this is a
truly unpleasant and exhausting challenge but it is worth the effort. SMALL GAINS are being made and I will take
them no matter what…J
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