I am not big into New Year’s resolutions, but I do like the reset a new year brings. The opportunity to reflect, take stock, appreciate the good things of the previous year and let go of the bad. “Januworry” as it has become known is interesting, as while it is a long, busy month for most, it is a month of energy and rejuvenation full of hope and optimism.
This month we saw my beautiful niece and her 3-year-old son, who had been living with us for the last year, re-unite with hubby/dad and start their new journey in the UK. Kate my eldest daughter starts her next school phase by heading into Grade 8, new school, new challenges. My happy go lucky Jennifer embraces grade 6 and going to school where her big sister is no longer there. Change is a foot, but it is full of energy, excitement and hope.
For me the year ended with my liver biopsy results confirming that my HER2 is negative, and all Immunotherapy markers are negative, meaning these are not viable treatment options. My latest scan results confirmed my tumours have grown and for now my only treatment option is to try a different Chemotherapy to help manage the cancer.
So, for a short while I stopped at the train station of disappointment, but as it was December, I was very lucky to be surrounded by visiting family which is always good for the soul.
January is the start of a new Chemotherapy treatment called GEMCIS, it will consist of two chemo drugs Gemcitabine (Gemzar) and Cisplatin. The treatment will consist of 6 cycles with a progress scan after cycle 3 to check that the chemotherapy is working its magic. Each cycle is 21 days, Day 1 is an infusion of both drugs Gemcitabine (Gemzar) and Cisplatin, day 8 is a second infusion of Gemcitabine (Gemzar), the remaining 13 days are recovery days and the ending of a cycle.
The potential side-effects of this Chemotherapy regiment are the typical ones, Alopecia (Hair loss), muscle weakness, fatigue, bowel irritations etc. This particular treatment will very likely affect my immune system quite heavily at some point as we progress which will require me to have white cell injections. My kidney function will also be checked at the start of each cycle to ensure my kidneys are managing.
Starting any new Chemotherapy cycle is scary, the drugs are toxic, and you never know how you body will respond. You remind yourself that at least you still have an option of chemotherapy and that is better than no option. When my next scan results show reduction, it is once again all worth it as progress is progress, which means more time with family and friends.
10 January 2023 we did the first cycle of GEMCIS. My bloods were good, the sun was shining, and I was apprehensively ready to start this new treatment. It is a 4-hour long infusion which is much longer than the paclitaxel which was 90 minutes. However, they pump you with lots of Saline to balance the Cisplatin and help the kidneys, so when I wasn’t running to the bathroom, I managed to get a few naps in.
After the day 8 infusion we start 13 days of recovery completing Cycle 1.
My side effects thus far have been mild:
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Indigestion
- Constipation
- Cramping
- Headaches
If you have been following my blogs from the beginning, you may have picked up that whilst my current Oncologist is supposedly one of the best in his field worldwide. I have been struggling with his bedside manner or should I say lack thereof.
So, in the spirit of it being a new year meaning resets and change, I opted to go see another medical oncologist who also comes highly recommended. You see I knew that in all likely hood my treatment would most probably not change but if I can improve the human experience around my treatment, it would be worth it.
Well let me tell you what an experience!
Grant and I left the new Oncologists office with an injection of hope an enthusiasm. She was thorough, informative, caring and SO SO SO communicative, I could not have hoped for a better outcome. Don’t get me wrong I am appreciative of everything my previous Oncologist and his team have done, but I honestly felt there had to be a better patient experience out there. I was not wrong, there is, and for anyone who has to go through this journey, mindset is such a crucial part of success and if you are struggling emotionally with your medical team, you must change and find a team that works for you.
My new oncologist appointment was not all good news sadly, she advised me that my last scan results showed the cancer has spread to my lungs with 4 small nodes appearing. (Nice of the previous oncologist who got my results to tell me , so angry). The hope is the lung nodules are small (under a cm), the chemotherapy treatment will eliminate them quickly, fingers crossed.
After discussions with the new oncologist, my treatment plan will pretty much remain the same. The only difference is we will swop out the Cisplatin for Carboplatin, meaning my treatment is now GEMCARBO. The drugs impact will be the same only difference is Carboplatin is less toxic, YAY, and hopefully give me light or no *Peripheral neuropathy, which I am already experiencing in my feet from the Paclitaxel. Thus, in her words “a better quality of life” as we go through this difficult chemo journey. See why I am liking her…
* Peripheral neuropathy, a result of damage to the nerves located outside of the brain and spinal cord (peripheral nerves), often causes weakness, numbness and pain, usually in the hands and feet. It can also affect other areas and body functions including digestion, urination and circulation.
So, on the 30th of January 2023 we started cycle 2 of Chemotherapy, now GEMCARBO regiment.
4 Responses
You are such an incredible human being and such an inspiration! Sending lots of healing energy ♥️
Thanks Swasti, appreciate your support and kindness. Sending hugs your way
Ah my friend. You have got this! I enjoy reading your blogs. You truly inspire me. Your positive attitude and ability to find and focus on the good is such an incredible strength not many people find easily . You are amazing! Keep fighting 💕 always here for you.
Thanks Mon, always cheering me on every step of the way. Your kind words and friendship is a blessing.