Latest oncology appt - 30/07/18

Today was my first day back at work after having eight days annual leave - spent in Melbourne with close family. But today was also my next oncology appointment after three months. Who would I see today? Sometimes I strike gold and actually see Reuben whose team I am under but many times I see someone completely new. I get that there are a zillion cancer patients but it can get super frustrating not seeing the same person and being able to build a rapport with them. But anyhow after sitting and waiting in that awfully depressing room with everyone else, I was able to see Reuben Broom himself - eureka! Dr Broom is a consultant who specialises in breast & kidney cancer, and I feel relieved when I get to see him. I’m not saying the others don’t know what they’re talking about but he’s a pretty respected man of his field and I get a sense of relief when I get to see him.

Reuben was talking about changing my infusions from 4 weekly to 12 weekly. On one hand I was thinking, “yay awesome” and on the other I was thinking “eek, why change something that appears to be working - what if that sneaky ol’ cancer creeps in”. Crazy the thoughts that go through your head.

After questioning when I will next go for a bone scan (March 2017) or CT scan (Jan 2018), Reuben decided it could be advantageous for me to go for one before my next oncology appointment in October. Depending on how that went, he would probably then change my treatments to 12 weekly. Mainly because of the harshness zoladronic acid can have on your body, hence why I can never go to the dentist for a tooth extraction, as it can affect the healing of the jaw bone (vause complete breakdown of it) and can cause eye problems, which I really don’t need - I’ve already got huckery eyesight! But then after scanning my notes, he saw that my calcium levels had elevated last year after taking vitamin D meds prescribed by oncology and  that apparently dashed his hopes of changing the time frame. I think too much calcium can have an adverse reaction against your bones and can cause fracturing, hence why they stopped me taking them. The zoladronic acid (zometa) strengthens the bones. But all in all, he is very happy with how this treatment is working. He is asking for a CT scan to be done the week after Labour weekend as I will go back to see him Monday 29th October and will get results then. He doesn’t expect anything to be found but they also told me they didn’t expect to find any secondaries in my MRI back in January 2016.

The difference between having a bone scan and a CT scan is that obviously the bone scan checks the bones only...a CT scan checks other stuff like your soft tissue...so fingers crossed no progression anywhere else. Although I have already been told, I did ask if I could continue on like this for years, and he said yes.

After which I then went down to acute oncology for my infusion where the nurses seemed busier than usual - a few issues occurring with other patients and their treatments, waiting for doctors etc...so after waiting 30 or so minutes, finally got my drip put in. No hand in hot water or anything- first pop with the needle- I was impressed! So thats done for another 28 days. Amazing how quickly the time goes. Back to work for a manic afternoon - felt like everyone wanted a piece of me...with a long list of stuff to do tomorrow but thats ok - it makes the day go fast. But it surely wasn’t smart thinking going to the hospital on my first day back at work...never mind, its done now.

I’m tired...must be time to crash out for the night. Pain relief is working really well, my back still aches at various times- Reuben checked it and is satisfied it isn’t caused by the cancer. My right shin bone is quite sore on a constant basis but once again he says it won’t be the cancer but caused by the exemestane - most of the time I walk with a limp - my days of wearing heels most definitely over! Happy pills still doing their job - all in all I am continuing to feel much better than previous months.

Monday 30th July 2018 - 10.57pm