Armed with our list of questions we went to see Dr Braybrooke at 4 o'clock. I'd spent the earlier part of the afternoon walking round Clifton with Emma, one of my oldest schoolfriends, testing out the script for a guided walk - it's tough being back at work!!
Anyway, Dr Braybrooke showed us my various scans and even with my non-medical knowledge I feel confident that the cancer is not in my liver. It does seem to have spread quite extensively on my bones down the spine, sternum, and to the points of my ribs - apparently this is quite normal for metastasised (secondary) breast cancer. Because of the spread this presents a problem as to how to best monitor it and I will probably have more scans at the end of this course of chemotherapy. I am going to start having a drug to strengthen my bones - it's the same as one given to osteoporosis sufferers. I will get it at the same time as the chemo and it will lengthen my treatment by an hour..but I don't have to wear a cold cap!
After this course of treatment, Dr Braybrooke expects me to be able to have several months without treatment. I asked about my long-term outlook and he said it was impossible to say but 'we're talking years but not tens of years'. 5 years ago it would have been 1 -2 years but things are always changing and my prognosis is much better with a healthy liver. I've just got to see my beautiful girl grow up.
Dr Braybrooke reckons that as my cancer is not oestrogen receptive (about 60% of breast cancers are) there is probably no merit in giving up dairy products, which is recommended in many of the nutrition books. I'm still doing my research but, for the time being, I'll hold off with the soya milk in my porridge!
I don't know why but I just wanted to know whether I'd have had all the same scans on the NHS and Dr Braybrooke said he wouldn't have been authorised to send me for a PET scan..and that was the scan that showed conclusively that the cancer wasn't in my liver. Scary but true!
We like Dr Braybrooke - he's got a quiet, calm, confident manner and I have no doubt that he is very thorough. He always seems to have plenty of time for us and a genuine concern for how we're all getting on. I know it's his job but I feel like I'm in very good hands and I feel no reason to question my treatment...other than to find out more. I'd say he's definitely on the bus with us - I even gave him my blog address!
And so now I'm psyching myself up for Thursday and a grotty few days.
I'll let you know how it goes.
Vicky xx
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14 comments:
Hi i'm Katies flatmate and id just like to say hi and good luck, i think you are very brave.
Dear Vicky
Really relieved to hear that you had a good meeting with the consultant. Its fantastic news that your liver is clear.
Will be thinking of you on thursday as you tackle your next session.
Lots of love
Sue. xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hi Vicky,
Spent a lot of yesterday thinking about you and wondering how you were getting on. I'm so relieved to hear your generally positive news. A few months without treatment will no doubt be a very welcome break and should make the next few days more bearable. I'm hoping that means you are still planning to spend Easter in South Africa ?
Hopefully see you soon if you still feeling up for a visit.
Do you want me to bring some soya milk to try ?!
Lots of love to you all,
Helen xxx
Hi Vicky
I've been waiting to write my comment since your first blog. I just wanted to write something funny, positive and meaningful. I wanted to find a joke or a quote that was apt without being naff. But I can't find a joke or quote and I haven't thought of anything appropriate or funny to say. But I still want you to know that we are still here and still thinking of you and still on the bus with you.
Sounds like you've got a fair few freinds over this side of the world and I was thinking we could organise a bus tour Down Under when you are feeling up to it.
It was lovely to see a photo of Iona - beautiful as I would expect.
Be strong
lots of love
Lisa, John, Finn, Millie & Hamish xxxxx
Hi Vicky,
Good to see you and Iona on Monday, even though it was rather chaotic on my part!
Great news about your liver - and good that this is all being done privately as on the NHS you would be still be worrying about your liver. Also good news about the break from treatment and ability to continue with dairy - two things which I am sure will make your life a little more comfortable!
Good luck for Thursday - shall be thinking of you.
Love,
Karen xx
Hurray for the good news. I'm so glad that your liver is clear. Sorry to hear about your pubes...!
Did you say soya milk? in porridge? I thought Scots made their porridge with water and a pinch of salt? (Which would make even soya milk a welcome releif no doubt).
Love Abs xx
PS
My sister swears by soya products (yes she of the crystal deodorant fan club).
She once assured me that you could make an apple crumble with soya margarine and fruit sugar in the topping.
I would like to take this opportunity to inform you and all the other passengers on this bus that you absolutely, categorically cannot. In my opinion, you would be better off throwing the whole lot away and eating the crystal deodorant.
PPS Will be thinking about you tomorrow. Abs xx
Well done for sorting out all those questions - it must feel a lot better knowing where you are.
Next tricky bit may be working out how to pace yourself for the chemo - normal Vicky (probably far too fast), medium, or slow (unrealistic!).
Update on Jacqui and Ernie, they popped off the bus for a couple of days - back into Southmead for some IV antibiotics (for Jacqui) expecting them to rejoin tommorrow as we pass the stop.
Do we have a bus policy on fares for minors? WHen does Ernie need to pay half?
Good luck for tommorrow Vicks and Martin,
S xx
Dear Vicky,
Been thinking of you every day. It was great to hear from you the other day. Glad to hear some positive news and that you're still driving the bus with such a positive attitude! LOVED the photo of Iona, she has grown so much since we last saw her but is still as beautiful!
The boys love the penguin game (with the baseball bat) from a previous blog and both are becoming better than me at swiping it high in the sky. Is anyone else still playing it!?
Will keep watching for more news, good luck for the end of the week,
Love Ali & co xxx
That liver is clearly Clipper stop-over party protected - nothing dares go near it! That is such good news and we are thrilled for you. As you go through the next round of treatment, think of it has a heavy metal hammer knocking the diesease firmly on the head. Every second of the treatment is taking away the negatives and building on the positives for you, Martin and Iona. We'll be with you.
Ian xx
PS Your Doc sounds great. Can the bus passengers focus their energies in some fund raising for his hospital, I wonder?
I have managed to conjour up an image of quite a young, silent type in Dr Braybrooke which if nothing at all should make you giggle if in fact he is more of the old and hairy variety!
Vicky - i hope today hasnt been too terrible and that your super powers of positivity are building.
Sx
Hi Vicky,
What a liver! There should be a study into the possible protective effects of regular doses of Arniston Bay and Kia - must be a link!
Good luck with the next session - we're thinking of you!
Lots of love,
Ed, Anna, Ewan & Caitlin xx
Hi Vicki
Was a bit worried we'd missed the bus but are definitely on board - things are always a bit slow getting to Dursley!
Just want to send you our love and positive vibes and if you need a training partner for the Bristol half just let me know!
Love lots
Emily & Robinxx
Ok, Dr Braybrooke gets the thumbs up this time round and maybe deserves some fresh baguette, still warm from the oven...
Thinking of you today (and every day) and hope this cycle will not leave you too wiped out. The drugs are obviously getting through your system if hair is falling off all over the place! So just think of them attacking all those horrible cells.
lots of love
Claire, Vladimir, Paul, Julien & Innes
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