Member Since:
17 October 2007
Posts: 16

Just wanted to let you all know that I have finally been to Melbourne and had my PET scan last week. Found out the results yesterday and the scan confirmed that there is a tumour deep down in the right pelvic area.  The good news is that the cancer is confined to this area but the not so good news is that it is right up against the bowel which could necessitate removing some of the bowel if they operate.

The oncology surgeons are to discuss this with a specialist in bowel operations and then I will be meeting with them to discuss the various options which will be either an operation (depending on the outcome of the meeting) followed by chemo or if an operation isn't possible, then possibly a mix of chemo and radiation.

Thought I was prepared for this outcome but guess like everyone, was secretly hoping that they wouldn't find anything!!  Silly I know considering my CA125 levels have been rising since last October.

They intend treating this in exactly the same way as they did when I was first diagnosed and are thinking quite positively, so guess I should too.  The hard thing is that just when I need my husband's support, he needs support from me as he was admitted to hospital with a heart attack 12 days ago (I had to leave him here to go to Melbourne) and is due to have an angiogram tomorrow and hopefully an angioplasty and stents inserted but there is a possibility he may be looking at a bypass operation.

Seems it never rains but it pours!!  (Hope that isn't the forecast for this weekend's weather).

My best wishes to all of you and hope you are keeping in good cheer.

Judy

Member Since:
5 October 2007
Posts: 32

Member Since:
17 October 2007
Posts: 16

Hi Jools

Was wondering about you too and how you are progressing.  Please let me know.

My husband has been in hospital for nearly four weeks now and is tomorrow morning having either a triple or quadruple bypass (not sure which yet) so he will be having a longer recovery than we first thought.

I have an appointment with a Dr John Whittaker on Wednesday (don't think I have met hime before) so presume he will be telling me what they intend to do and when.  It could be really awkward if I have to go into hospital before my husband is recovered enough to take care of himself.  Well, guess we can only take things one day at a time.

By the way you are correct, there is a private laboratory in Wellington doing PET scans but from what I have been told because the radioactive material that is injected into the patient is manufactured in Australia and as yet can't be produced here, it has to be flown over but loses its potency after 2 hours so therefore isn't as effective.  I believe Auckland University is building a reactor to produce this material but that is a little while down the track.

Thinking of you.

Judy

Member Since:
17 October 2007
Posts: 16

Haven't heard how anyone else is doing so hope the silence means that you are all presently enjoying good health.

Thought I would just update you on my situation since having my PET scan.  I go into Auckland Hospital next Tuesday, 12th, and will be having a resection of the rectum/bowel and an ileostomy (temporary - I hope they can reverse it in 2 months!)

What a miserable winter we've been having - hope you are all coping okay.

All the best to all

Judy

Member Since:
5 October 2007
Posts: 32

Member Since:
17 October 2007
Posts: 16

Hi Jools

Would have loved to have met you at Auckland Hospital.  Yes, I was in hospital on the Monday. Was actually in hospital for 2 weeks.

Didn't see your post until now.  One month out from my op and I'm only just starting to catch up on what has been happening elsewhere!  Hope you are coping with your chemotherapy okay and without too many hiccups.  I go to Oncology next Thursday at Auckland Hospital where I guess I will find out my "fate" but guess they won't start treatment until I have had the hopefully, second op to reverse the ileostomy bag - can't wait!!

Cheers and best wishes

Judy

Member Since:
20 August 2008
Posts: 12

Hi Janzy,

I have been reading your posts and wondering now how you are? You have had a huge year! Is your husband reuperating okay too? let us know if we can do anything to help, small or large, and we can certainly try.

Take care,

Rachel

Member Since:
17 October 2007
Posts: 16

Thank you Rachel for asking.  Yes, it has been a huge year but we are now starting to cope reasonably well.  My husband seems to be fully recovered now but I found it quite hard recovering from the last op and having to deal with an ileostomy bag but are now feeling that I am managing quite well.  Started my course of chemotherapy last Friday (3rd) but was not able to have the ileostomy bag removed prior so this will now be done sometime next February once I have finished the chemo.

So far feeling not too bad on this chemo regime (only carboplatin, no taxol this time) so hope it will stay like this.  Think the taxol was the 'killer'.  My only problem at present is trying to decide whether to go ahead and get a portacath inserted as it is an ordeal trying to find a vein (they can only use one arm too).  Had a long conversation with Jools (what a great person) but unfortunately she had problems with her portacath and had to have it removed so this has left me undecided.  The oncology nurses can't understand why the doctors put me off the idea - they told me to wait and see how I got on but the nurses suggest I get my name put on the waiting list.  More decisions and of course the thought of more anaesthetic and surgery, allbeit minor.

Has anyone else any positive feedback on portacaths?  I will also post this as a separate post under the heading of Portacath for future discussions.

On another note my congratulations for all the success SRF are having and I am hoping to be able to contribute some effort to the cause shortly. 

All the best

Judy (aka Janzy)

Member Since:
5 October 2007
Posts: 32

Member Since:
12 November 2008
Posts: 2

Hi

My Mum had a portacath inserted and it was great.  She was so grateful for not having the ordeal of finding veins for her treatments.  She never had any problems with it.

I am also a nurse and have used portacaths many times and the majority are great and very worthwhile when you start running out of veins!  The biggest issue is having to get them flushed monthly when not being used (more from a inconvience point of view.)

With everything you go through it is small in comparison!