As planned, we met with the liver surgeon today. He confirmed that my main two tumors (one each in a lung and in my liver) had shrunk considerably following chemotherapy and that the 2 smaller liver ones were no longer visible on the CT scan. Apart from improving the probability of surgery being viable, it also means my current variety of cancer is able to be managed by chemo, which offers opportunities in the future if surgery was not feasible.
We discussed the options, do nothing, further chemo or attempt to remove both tumors. We agreed the best way forward is to attempt to remove the tumors, this is a radical and aggressive approach which only 18 months ago would not have been considered. The surgery will be rough and the probability of a cure is likely about 30% but is the best opportunity to give me several years of good life.
The next step is a meeting with the cardio-thoracic team. They will also schedule a colonoscopy, just to make sure that there is no more primary colon cancer developing. Likely the surgery will happen mid to late September once I have recovered from the chemo and all the preparatory tests etc. have been done. At this stage it is probable that the lung tumour will be removed first, followed a few weeks later by removal of the liver tumor, however it is possible both may be done at once.
The PICC line was also removed, this is great, I can now have a proper shower and a bath if I like, I miss my baths. Likely I will get another PICC line during or after surgery as I would expect another short course of chemo after surgery.
I am still suffering from the effects of my last chemo, feeling tired most of the time and still have very mixed up taste buds, hopefully this will improve over the next few weeks.
No comments:
Post a Comment