Chemotherapy has not finished after all.
By Koalemos
@Asylum (47893)
Manchester, England
September 12, 2017 6:25am CST
I was originally scheduled for 9 sessions of chemotherapy, broken into 3 sets of 3 days. Last Wednesday I had what I expected to be my last chemotherapy session and yesterday visited the hospital for an X-ray and to discover what the next step would be.
When I finally got to see the doctor I was informed that she was very happy with the progress so far, so I genuinely expected to be given a future date for rechecking etcetera. Instead I was told that my next set of 3 chemotherapy treatments would begin in 2 weeks.
The fact that I appear to be making some progress was good news, but I certainly did not expect further chemotherapy at this stage. It almost feels as though the clock has been turned back to the beginning.
29 people like this
26 responses
@GardenGerty (160708)
• United States
12 Sep 17
I am sure that is disappointing. Hang in there. I know, that is easy for me to say. Perhaps it is because you are showing progress that you are going to have more treatment. Either that or the right hand does not know what the left hand is doing and someone was mixed up.
6 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
12 Sep 17
Did they even explain why this was going to happen? I hope that you question them about it.
I have been wondering how you have been doing. I send a big hug your way.
3 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
12 Sep 17
@Asylum try to remain positive. The fact that you are making progress is a good sign.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (41447)
• United States
12 Sep 17
I can understand your disappointment. But hopefully the doctor knows what's best and you'll get through this. Think how wonderful it will be when you are finally finished. I'll keep you in my prayers...God is merciful.
3 people like this
@1creekgirl (41447)
• United States
12 Sep 17
@Asylum Yes, it would have not been such a shock if the doctor had given you a heads up earlier about it.
2 people like this
@andriaperry (116936)
• Anniston, Alabama
12 Sep 17
I am so sorry. They did this with Tony as well, when he thought he was finished and everything was gone they added more. 25 radiation treatments turned into 33, and 4 very strong bi weekly chemos turned into 6. Then scans and next surgery to get rid of the liver tumor, that made his a stage 4 lung cancer. Then 8 weeks after surgery he is getting ocdivo and yesterday, while Irma was hitting Alabama he was hooked up getting 5 of 6 treatments.
BUT the last scan showed no active cancer and he will have another in October.
After the one scan the computer was down so it was 3 more weeks before he seen the doctor and Tony had me to ask the questions, one was " is the cancer still eating him up?" and that is when he finally found out he was in remission and the ocdivo will be the watch dog in his body and kill off cancer cells from making. BUT the ocdivo makes him so tired for the first week. All of Tony`s treatments began in January but he did have a couple months here and there to recover and go at it again.
Just hang in there, make sure to keep up your weight, eat whatever you can stand or not, just eat. Make sure you ask questions about things you want to know, write them down at home and take them with you. I know how hard this is but you can do it. 
3 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
12 Sep 17
@andriaperry I am sure that radiotherapy would be easier to cope with than chemotherapy.
@andriaperry (116936)
• Anniston, Alabama
12 Sep 17
@Asylum I do understand hat is why I say, talk and talk with the doctor, ask all those "what if`s" Radiation is nothing compared to chemo, 99.99% you will not even feel it, maybe have a red spot on the skin where it goes in and that`s about it.
3 people like this
@m_audrey6788 (58472)
• Germany
12 Sep 17
I think that they only want to make sure that everything went well and there will be no more problems can occur. Just relax and everything will turn out good. Wish you a nice day!
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
12 Sep 17
Great news that she was happy with your progress and I imagine she wants to keep it going to get further progress. I am sure it was disappointing to have more but if the end result is good, it will all be worth it. I know you are not a hugger but II am virtually hugging you anyway!! This too shall pass.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
13 Sep 17
@Asylum I can only imagine how horrible it is. But if it gives you a longer life, it is worth it, n'est pas? You have so much life left to enjoy after this part is done.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
13 Sep 17
@BelleStarr Life loses value if it becomes necessary to endure constant unpleasant treatment and discomfort.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
13 Sep 17
If you are making progress you have to look at more treatments as a good thing. You are fighting a hard fight, keep it up.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
13 Sep 17
@Asylum Let's hope/pray these next three is the end of chemo.
1 person likes this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
13 Sep 17
I imagine that must have been discouraging to hear. I hope your next set of chemo treatments go smoothly with no complications.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
13 Sep 17
@Srbageldog I am hoping exactly the same.
1 person likes this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
13 Sep 17
@Asylum I can only imagine. I hope that this will be the last round of chemo and that you'll be in remission afterward and can finally rest.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29820)
• Momence, Illinois
12 Sep 17
Did she say why more chemo, seems strange when she said you were doing well.
2 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
12 Sep 17
@fishtiger58 Exactly what I wondered.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29820)
• Momence, Illinois
12 Sep 17
@Asylum Hmmm why were you not told this sooner I wonder.
2 people like this
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
18 Sep 17
That sounds disappointing. I hope the extra session will be the last one.
1 person likes this
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
19 Sep 17
@Asylum That sounds like it would be really hard on the body.
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16762)
• China
13 Sep 17
I am happy that you are responding well to the chemotherapy! I reckon the aim of further chemotherapy is to consolidate the curative effect that has produced.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (82789)
• United States
17 Sep 17
The fact that you're making progress sounds like good news. Maybe you just need a bit more to continue your progress even if it was disappointing to hear
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23405)
• United Kingdom
14 Sep 17
That is good news although shame you have one more set to go through! Better to be safe and endure one more treatment. Good luck!
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23405)
• United Kingdom
14 Sep 17
@Asylum I don't think there is much I can say to reassure you except send you my best wishes!
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (78882)
• East Tawas, Michigan
12 Sep 17
No, I don't think so. If your doctor is pleased with your progress, apparently he or she wants to keep doing, whatever helped the most.
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (78882)
• East Tawas, Michigan
12 Sep 17
@Asylum Yes, I'm sure that it is!:(
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