Its exactly one month since my last blog entry.
A lot has happened or seems to have happened in that time.
As you are aware my cancer has been in remission for the last 18 months thanks to a drug called ofatumumab. You can therefore imagine how gutted I felt when I was told that my cancer was beginnining to spread again. I was offered two choices, the first was to have repeat treatment with ofatumumab but that would mean going cap in hand to the governments cancer fund. There is no guarantee that they would agree to fund it despite it now being a licenced drug for the treatment of NHL.
The other option was to go to the Royal Marsden Hospital where they are undertaking a trial of a drug called lenalidomide and I am hoping to be included in this trial. This drug is a derivitive of thalidomide and I have been reassured that it is safe and there will be no chance of history repeating its self.
I am having a PET scan next Wednesday as part of the acceptance procedure.
Sorry if I have not commented on any blogs recently but as I said earlier I feel completely gutted.
Andy
17 comments:
I cannot begin to imagine how you must feel, Andy, particularly after you were in remission for 18 months. I hope that the new treatment will knock the cancer on the head again, and that somebody will have the will to end the postcode lottery for expensive treatments in this country.
Oh Andy, I am so sorry. We had all such high hopes that you had beaten the blasted thing...Still it is good that there may be yet another new drug that will hopefully knock it on the head for good this time. Keep us in touch. Will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Syil xx
So very sorry, Andy. These last 18 months have been a treasured time for you and all your friends. Am so hoping this new medicine will do the trick again for you. Keep positive thoughts, my friend, and I will keep you in my prayers.
Very sorry to hear this...my best wishes for a good outcome...
Dear Andy I am gutted (as you must be ) with your news ,however you are tough ,you proved that before keep positive dear and my prayers and those of others are for you love Jan xx
I'm so upset to hear this but you have managed to respond so well to previous treatment, I feel very hopeful that this is just another minor setback for you. Very best wishes.
Linda xxx
i am so sorry to hear this news.take care,mort
So sorry to hear this Andy.
I hope you're accepted in the new trials and that the drugs work.
Try to stay positive my friend.
B.
I keep praying to God that a cure for all cancer will be found. I am sorry to hear your news and will keep you in my thoughts & prayers. My BIL was stage 4 mouth cancer, Pet scan showed him clear after months of chemo/radiation treatments...just hope it stays away..and that yours responds well to the new treatment...
Andy I am so sorry to hear your news ~ Keep us up to date on what is happening with you ~ Keeping you in my thoughts ~ Ally x
Andy, so sorry to hear of your bad news. I hope you are helped by the support and caring of your friends here on line.
Keeping you in good thoughts and prayer.
Dear Andy,
I am excited to announce the release of a new book in August! A book written from the heart, Porcelain Soldier will give you a glimpse inside the delicate balance of strength and frailty that exists in battling cancer.
At age twenty-eight, Kelli Davis is young, in a promising relationship, and has just embarked on an exciting, fulfilling career that she is passionate about and is taking her places. Then, one night, she is rushed to the emergency room with severe pain in her arm, and is discharged three hours later with a completely unexpected diagnosis: cancer.
Disposition—Discharged: The patient was discharged ambulatory accompanied by significant other. The significant other is ready, alert and willing to learn. The patient’s diagnosis, condition, and treatment were explained to the patient and the patient expressed understanding.
With doctors by her side, Kelli finds comfort in adhering to a strict medical plan, but there is no prescription for how to live life after cancer. Porcelain Soldier: Discovering Gratitude in Cancer is an intimate, honest journey that follows Kelli as she attempts to answer the questions “Why did I get cancer?” and “What am I supposed to learn from it?”, allowing readers to see and feel her struggles to regain a so called normal life.
Now, if Kelli were to walk out of those same hospital doors today, she would rewrite her discharge report this way:
Disposition—Discharged: The patient was discharged ambulatory accompanied by a greater sense of being. The future significant other will appreciate vulnerability, celebrate wisdom, and mean the words “in sickness and in health.” The patient’s diagnosis, condition, and treatment were explained to the patient and the patient expressed understanding, gratefulness, desire to recognize and appreciate the lessons cancer has to offer, and a great outlook on tomorrow.
I would like to send you a review copy of the book. If you are interested, please reply with the best address to ship your copy. I look forward to your thoughts on the book.
Thank you!
Sending up prayers that you will be accepted into the new program and for the healing of you body. Helen
Saying a prayer for you that they get you on the new medication and it heals you from this nasty cancer.
Sorry I am late reading your entry Andy.
I hope and pray that you will be accepted for the new drug trial. I also agree with Guido. There should be an end to the postcode lottery for expensive treatments. We all pay the same amount of National Health contributions over our lifetime. There should be no differentiation whatsoever at health threatening times!
Good luck and may God bless you at this difficult time. You will rise above it!
Jeanie
I hope things are going well for you Andy. Just wanted you to know, you are in my thoughts. xx
Hi Andy, hope all is going well with you. People have been asking how you are getting on, and I hope the results from the PET scan were favourable
Post a Comment