The Oncologist and an update
The appointment with the Oncologist went very well yesterday. Although no new tests as yet to confirm the effectiveness of the 6 treatments, the team looking after me could not be happier with the outcome so far.
We discussed various options going forward but given my apparent health, fitness and age the current suggestion is that they collect my stem cells and freeze them for future use if needed. Like an insurance policy.
As my bone marrow was clean before I started and after 6 months of chemo it should be crystal clean, the strategy is a good one. Gives me more options in the future should I find myself in relapse. Apparently you can freeze it for 10 years. If I don’t need it there is always Ebay!
Spoke about strategies for returning to work and the maintenance program for the next 2 years. Seems all rather doable.
The next key process will be new scans at the end of August and a factual assessment of the impact and effectiveness of the chemo. We will then have enough information to map out the future will more certainty.
In the interim I just need to focus on building myself back up to some form of new normal.
I will never quite be the same but I intend on being the best I can be in these new circumstances. I could even be better! That is up to me.
I still find myself having to rest before and after things. Mondays track day has put me in the horizontal position for a while but it was worth it. I am still suffering a bit but that will pass. In time this fatigue will also diminish.
The Oncologist suggested it takes 3 to 6 months after chemo to start to shake free its impacts. I am still within the first month so this is all very normal. I am just a poor patient that hates to be still.
My Unplanned Sabbatical 