Thursday 17 July 2008

Phew.....

I must admit I was starting to worry.  Ive been feeling so poorly for the past week I was starting to wonder if it really was just due to the side effects of Sutent or something more insiduous happening.

So it was with a great deal of trepidation that I turned up at Dr Ps clinic yesterday morning - to find it virtually empty !  What had happened to all the 'testicles'?  Had they all gone on holiday together and forgotten to invite me?  I felt very left out to be honest - I really thought I had been accepted as part of their club by now.

Now Ive been feeling my 'lumps' regularly over the past 4 weeks, two or three times a day at least, and was fairly convinced that they had, at least, not grown in size. But to have it confirmed by Dr P they were actually shrinking, in fact he said all 3 were "much smaller" was the best news ever.  The two under my arm pit are finally responding to Sutent as well !

I explained about our holiday next month and how Id like to carry on taking Sutent until mid August and then have a weeks break.  He agreed to this but wondered if I should have a lower dose due to the severity of my side effects this month.

No way.  There is NO chance Im risking lowering the dose now that I know its working.  Im just going to grit my teeth and get on with it.  It was such a huge psychological boost to hear those tumours are finally shrinking and almost instantly I felt better.  And so determined.

Treatment with Sutent is such a moveable feast anyway - its all about the balance of quantity and quality of life and every patient is different ofcourse.  There are still trials going on in the US comparing the advantages of taking Sutent with the normal 2 weeks break and taking it continuously.

So for me the regeime will be to take it continuously - but have a weeks break either when I want one, or need one if the side effects become really bad.

It was so nice to hear from 2 other Sutent patients - one who is on cycle 8 and the other on cycle 21 which apparently is a record !  I feel quite an amateur compared to them !

All in all very good news then - my tumours are shrinking, Ive beaten the statistics and now I have a record to aim at - and knowing how stubborn and determined I can be it must be worth an each way bet on me reaching it !

 

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh Jane,  I am just so happy for you. I have missed you and had began to think that perhaps you had had such bad news that you needed time to recover before coming back to us...What a nice Dr. you have...  Now  you can all look forward ti the holiday ...Much Love  Sybil xx

Anonymous said...

thats excellent news Jane!  

Im chuffed to bits for you :oD


Anonymous said...

I'm very pleased to note you're responding well to the Sutent, Jane, even if the side-effects are no teaparty. Really admire you for persevering with the higher dose and all that this entails. Keep going!

Guido

Anonymous said...

I am sooooooooo chuffed for you.Its great to get such good news at the hospital.Long may it continue working x x x x

Anonymous said...

oh  jane          so  pleased  for  you        really  am.        now    go  for  it  hun.   have  a  wonderful  holiday.       you  take  care   lots  love   mort  xxx

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad!!!  Glad that the doctor confirmed that they are shrinking.  I hope the Sutent continues to work well.
Lori
http://journals.aol.com/helmswondermom/DustyPages/

Anonymous said...

Just catching up and so pleased to see you are now doing well on the Sutent and have also had comments from others who are on it too.  The photos of the hols are great.  I hope your hol in August will be great for you too, it sounds as if you are going to have fun.  Hugs, Tells x

Anonymous said...

Hi Jane - what fab news, it gives you such a high - and well done to you for your determination.    And the only thing i can say about the 'testicles' is 'what a bunch of meanies' .....hehee!
Big Luv - Jaynee X