Tuesday, March 12, 2013

The Doctor's appointment I have been dreading

Following on from my last blog, I said I would let you all know how my Doc's appointment went with Dr K. I joked in the last blog about when Meghan comes along there is usually some important news. Well that is an understatement this time. We went into the appointment with Dr K and I knew straight away the news was not good. He was procrastinating so I just asked him what the results of the scan and blood test are. His reply was "Not Good this time". My tumors have doubled in size since the last scan in December and my cancer cell count has never been higher and is over 7,000. As you could imagine the atmosphere in the room was very somber. Meghan handled it quite well considering the bad news. Of course the big question needed to be asked and Meghan came straight out and asked, "How long do you think left"? Dr K answered with the usually statement of "based on research" I have a few months left. Dr K himself was not willing to give his personal opinion which I understand he really cannot. So a few months!!!! What does that mean? I was told 30 months ago when first diagnosed I had between 6 to 12 months and I am still here. So where to from here? We decided to up the dosage back to 100% and hopefully I will be able to handle the side effects. I think the bad results were due to skipping a couple of cycles over the past few months and the lower dose, so now I am back on full strength and must have the treatment regularly every 2 weeks. Dr K wants to have CT scans once a month now to keep a close eye on whether the treatment is working or not. We are starting to get to the stage we are running out of protocols, so once this one stops working or the side effects get too bad we really do not know what options are left, but will cross that bridge once we get there. I will be finishing up work at the end of the month and will have the time to really look after myself and hopefully extend my life span. To what extent who knows!!!! So the battle continues, and I am determined to kick these bad results and get them down to an expectable level which will allow me to keep enjoying every day as it comes along. To everyone who reads my blog I thank you for all your support as this is what keeps me going. Thank you All. Bye for now

6 comments:

  1. Hang in there Davo.xxx

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  2. Hi Dave,
    I just want to say that my mom was diagnosed in April 2011 with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. She was given 6 months and today she celebrated her birthday. Hang in there and know that no one knows anything for sure. Just keep living while you're alive.

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  3. Hello David, Appreciate you sharing your journey. Really like the previous poster's sentiment: Just keep living while you're alive. So simple yet often so difficult...never more so than when pain is a constant companion no doubt. Wishing you some blue sky times ahead with those you love. Teena & Doug

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  4. Thank you for the reminder - I meant to message you and Megs yesterday. (STOP PUTTING THINGS OFF JACQUELINE!) I managed a rare pick up without 'the' Jake yesterday - standing in the shade watching kids come & go, each smiling with a purpose :)
    I watched the door at the Hall shut on two boys who'd skipped the whole length of the school, I was smiling and thinking how beautiful the picture was: Then I realised! I'd watched Sam and a Mate :) There was something missing, it was the B, Sam was leading his Mate, holding hands and his other hand was free. :) It was a beautiful moment and I'd nearly missed it! and nearly forgotten to share. xx Speak Soon. xx Jac.

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  5. Thinking of you mate
    DP

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  6. Hang in there buddy. This world aint ready to give u up yet!!

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