Friendly Fire

Cherry

By jeand

Thu, 30 Nov 2023
  • 2562 reads
18 comments
 

 

FRIENDLY FIRE

 

I went for my pre-chemo clinical visit yesterday. I have had a fairly uneventful fortnight, and nothing new to report, except the hallucinations, which the consultant accepted but wasn’t worried about. 

 

Then he told us the results of the MRI brain scan which I had 10 days ago.  “The tumours show an increase in size - from .8 to 1.5cm  and from .7 to 1.1.  However it says on the report that you have brain necrosis, which might well be what is making the larger numbers.” 

“Necrosis is good,”I said  “The cancer is dying.”  “No, it's the brain cells that are dying.  And that was caused by the radiation treatment you had.  It is a relatively rare (2-5%) side effect of the treatment  But the neuro team have said that nothing should be done in the meantime, and they will repeat the scan in 2 months to see what has happened by then.”

 

So the fancy new treatment with my special face mask not only didn’t make the cancer go to sleep, it made the cells around it die from lack of oxygen.  I signed the consent form and looking it up, I said I was okay with the possibility of a necrosis side effect 

 

I am asymptomatic at the moment but likely symptoms include headaches, dizziness, memory loss, personality changes  and seizures . The treatment is low dose steroids. 

 

So overall things are slightly less good - in that I had been promised a second go at the radiation therapy if the tumours woke up and started growing, and that is no longer an option. But hopefully my chemo is still doing a good job (but nothing so far to confirm that) 

 

 

Certificate U
Biography
Autobiography

Comments

Submitted by Starfish Girl on

Hi Jean

Thanks for the update. Sorry that things aren't as good as you hoped. Unfortunately any time of drug you take seems to have side effects. If you read the contra indications on something as simple as paracetamol you would never take any but there's modern medicine for you, they have to protect themselves against any eventualities.

BUT you are still writing and keeping us well informed. AND as always a positive note to end on.

Stay in there Jean!

Love and best wishes as always

Lindy

Submitted by jeand on

Thanks Lindy

I have calmed down a bit and have read more about thr problem. 

Off to the 4th chemo later today.

Jean Day

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you for keeping in touch, Jean! Sorry for the long journey. You sound as if you are keeping fairly well and able to read etc and keep in touch well with family, and relaxation. I hope you are able to read a little scripture daily, like 'Daily Light'. Much love through all! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by jeand on

Thanks Rhiannon

I do have some scripural reading to keep me thinking positive.  And a lot of fun eading too. 

Jean Day

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

I hope you continue to be asymptomatic, and that the chemo keeps up its good work - sending all good wishes to you Jean and thank you for keeping on with your writing - as you see from the above comments, your audience is still here!

 

Submitted by jeand on

Thanks Insert

I am asymptomatic, and feeling pretty well, considering I always look forward to something new and interesting to report on, and I got it in spades this week

Jean Day

Submitted by celticman on

asymptomatic, Jean, you're almost normal. whatever that means. it sounds good. 

 

Submitted by jeand on

Thanks Jack

 

I was never nromal 

Jean Day

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Jean, 

I was watching on youtube a poem read by a poet named Maya Angelou, called Still I Rise. This poem reminded me of you and your courage, when faced with the distress you're enduring.

I'm glad that the past two weeks have been uneventful, you really need that break. 

Wishing you well in your treatment and hoping to hear some good news when next you write.

Take care Jean.

Jenny.

 

 

 

Submitted by jeand on

Thanks Jenny

I have read Maya Angelou's books and know how powerful her message is 

Jean Day

Submitted by Turlough on

Hello Jean.

I'm so sorry to hear that you didn't get the news that you were hoping for. I'm hoping your asymptomatic status continues and the chemotherapy is doing its job.

Thank you for keeping us up to date with what you're going through. It can't be easy either experiencing it or writing about it but the fact that you share in this way is greatly appreciated. 

My very best wishes to you. 

Turlough

Submitted by jeand on

Thanks Turlough

It was a real shock to get the news that the brain treatment was actually making things worse instead of better.  But since I am feeliing pretty good, I can't really feel too bad about it

 

Jean Day

Submitted by Turlough on

It's good that you can see some positives Jean.

Keep up the good work, and please keep on keeping us up to date.

Turlough

Submitted by jeand on

Thaks Edditors for the lovely cherries

Jean Day

Submitted by marandina on

That's a tough one, Jean. I guess for every treatment there's a consquence and, not always a good one. As ever, brave of you to commit to writing it down. Your resilience is inspirational. Thinking of you. Paul x

 

Submitted by jeand on

thanks Paul

Just finished with chemo and all went well so at least one aspect of my treatment is OK 

Jean Day

Submitted by airyfairy on

So sorry that you're facing further complications, Jean. Fingers and everything else crossed that you will get some better news soon. Please do keep us up to date. x

Submitted by jeand on

thanks Airy

I am coping OK with the brain stuff news and know I just have to be patient. 

Jean Day