Not quite out of the woods

The visit to see the the Oncologist held a 'surprise' last week. I have completely underestimated the amount of chemotherapy I will have, in truth I think I wanted to believe the original estimate of two weeks of tablets this was probably never realistic. The Consultant gave us 3 options involving 8 or 12 cycles for 24 weeks:

1. Just tablets ( Capecitabine) in 8 cycles of 2 weeks with 1 week free.
2. Tablets (as above) and infusion (Oxaliplatin) every fortnight (12 sessions) with a supporting pump over a 48 hour period.
3. Tablets and infusion every 3rd week without the pump.

This rather took the wind out of our sails and, to stretch the sailing analogy further, left us in the doldrums. I couldn't make a decision on the day and wanted to discuss it further with Stella before I did. I have an overwhelming fear of needles and their entry into my vein system so options 2 and 3 petrified me into not thinking with any clarity. By the time Monday evening had come, we had discussed the options and I realised that worrying about needles is akin to not having essential root canal work done because you're scared of the sound of the drill. I contacted the Consultant's secretary first thing Tuesday morning and went for option 3 with the addition of having a 'port' put in to my upper arm. This will allow easier ingress for the infusion and obviate potential complications with finding a vein.
 It is important to stress that this is curative treatment aimed at stopping  recurrence, I didn't have to go with the infusion but, as my Consultant says, it is the 'Gold Standard'. The only unknown for me here is how I will respond to the Oxyplatin, I only had minimal side effects from Capecitabine when I took it during my last round of 'nuclear' medicine. My Consultant assures us that this represents the end of the treatment and that I will get my life back when it's finished (can't wait!).

Interesting note: Bowel cancer is bowel cancer where ever it migrates to, it doesn't become liver or lung cancer just because it appears in these organs.

I have asked for the cycle to start asap but to avoid the the first week in June as we have booked a week away in Devon then and the whole family could do with a break. Sadly, I will have to put my date with the surf board on hold for a bit longer. But, assuming the Mayans are wrong and there will be a 2013 I will have plenty of time to 're learn' lost skills. Speaking of which I am once again playing my guitar (badly).