My instinct was right! The CT scan I had last week showed that the marker tumours have shrunk by 30 %. This is a better result than we had dreamed of. Dr Keo (Tabane) was utterly delighted and her usually grave and empathetic face was utterly beautiful in its joy. There is a good chance that the trend will continue and that the trained t cells will continue to attack the tumours in the period ahead.
I have been lucky to be at the right moment in medical history.
The drug is Ipilimumab and anyone you know with stage 4 melanoma cancer deserves to have the opportunity to have this drug.
My homeopathic doctor, Trish and I went together to consult the physician, Craig Golding and he too was delighted with the results. He says he has never seen a melanoma metastatic tumour shrink before. Together, they put together a regime of support medicines to help me to get over the side effects from the Ipi. These are largely hormonal and due to the effect of the drug on my endocrinal system.
We celebrated in style, with all 3 children and my mum, drinking French champagne out of Ali's art trophy. Such blithe madness.
Good news at last. We've been overwhelmed by messages of jubilation. Thank you for your unfailing support.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
In rehab!
On Saturday, after 2 weeks of fitness rehab with a trainer at the gym in Parkview, I found myself at the gym, alone, working through a series of exercises and, in so doing, I realised I'm actually in rehabilitation. What delight. This human body is so forgiving. I have tormented it with surgery, radiation, chemo, cortisone and Ipi and now it is allowing me to get over it all and get strong again.
My two superficial melanoma affected lymph glands (palpable lumps) have both shrunk from the size of peas to match heads. This indicates a positive response to the countless number of prayers said for me, Ipi or maybe the Dendric Cell Vaccine or maybe the treatment with the Skia machine and homeopathy, and probably all of the above. Profound positive expletives apply, whopee!
I will have CT scans soon and Dr Keo has warned that they may not show a positive response yet. I will be suprised if they don't.
Life has been absolutely marvellous, with the spotlight on Ali as he has finished school. We had a glorious week of prize giving, the Matric Art Exhibition and the leaving Valedictory, which left us all emotionally exhausted and on a high. The deep and quiet triumph of being there in full health was profound. Then Al did his driver's licence on Friday and passed. What rapture! The sudden and immediate move from child to adulthood is astounding to behold.
I had a mad moment of missing James at the Sunday lunch table last week, so generous Tim has flown him up for 6 days to study for exams. Mother bliss with all 3 at home, making tea and baking cakes to keep the studying boys nourished.
Nic has been in Mpumalanga for the weekend at a conference at Phakamani Bank, where she worked a bit last year. The project, based on Mohumed Younis' Grameen Bank, is thriving. She has some exciting plans ahead.
A month of exams, then a month of holidays, what more could I wish for?
Monday, October 3, 2011
Treatment complete
I've had all 4 of the treatments of Ipi now and after what has felt like a long period of chronic fatigue, I'm beginning to feel human again. Just as well, as there are several wonderful end of matric functions to attend and I need to be on top form to enjoy them fully. Each continues to be a moment of quiet triumph, having dreaded missing them.
I will have a CT scan in about a month to see how those tumours have responded to Ipi. Further decisions will be made then and I've been well trained to live in the present and not worry about what might or might not happen until it does. It seems that various parts of my endocrine system have taken a knock, and strong homeopathic support is allowing a good recovery. I have learned that being born with O positive blood is much in my favour in terms of my ability to bounce back after a knock.
Tim has long leave this year, so we have all sorts of exciting ideas about how to max out on the special time. As Ali starts at university next year, this will be the first January in 21 years when we aren't bound by school terms. We are hoping to have a couple of weeks when all 5 of us can be together, Nic's job and ever tight leave situation willing. The planning is so much fun and our ideas have been wild and at times horribly expensive.
In the interim, we need to batton the hatches and get the house running military-style to give Ali his best shot with matric. He has been offered a place in the BMed Sc Biomed ( a shadow medical degree, which could allow transition into medicine in second year provided that exceptional results are achieved) at Wits next year and he is still being considered for a place in medicine, which will be dependent on his matric results.
James writes his final Business Science exams in a few weeks and we're planning with delighted anticipation to go to his graduation on 14 December.
My amazing mum has flown off to England again this evening. She is going to see my special Aunt Ro and then on to see her dear Grandfather Friend, Norman. As the children say, high praise indeed, Granny is a legend!
I will have a CT scan in about a month to see how those tumours have responded to Ipi. Further decisions will be made then and I've been well trained to live in the present and not worry about what might or might not happen until it does. It seems that various parts of my endocrine system have taken a knock, and strong homeopathic support is allowing a good recovery. I have learned that being born with O positive blood is much in my favour in terms of my ability to bounce back after a knock.
Tim has long leave this year, so we have all sorts of exciting ideas about how to max out on the special time. As Ali starts at university next year, this will be the first January in 21 years when we aren't bound by school terms. We are hoping to have a couple of weeks when all 5 of us can be together, Nic's job and ever tight leave situation willing. The planning is so much fun and our ideas have been wild and at times horribly expensive.
In the interim, we need to batton the hatches and get the house running military-style to give Ali his best shot with matric. He has been offered a place in the BMed Sc Biomed ( a shadow medical degree, which could allow transition into medicine in second year provided that exceptional results are achieved) at Wits next year and he is still being considered for a place in medicine, which will be dependent on his matric results.
James writes his final Business Science exams in a few weeks and we're planning with delighted anticipation to go to his graduation on 14 December.
My amazing mum has flown off to England again this evening. She is going to see my special Aunt Ro and then on to see her dear Grandfather Friend, Norman. As the children say, high praise indeed, Granny is a legend!
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