Mar 31 - polka dots

 

Here is a picture of a slice of liver from my latest CT. Those little black marbles are new. Apparently in 3D, I have an estimated 20 new metastases. Well, some little cherub has been busy the last 3 months!

Polka dots. Little did I know that the polka dot wrapping paper I used for my niece's birthday present last week would turn out to be so prophetic. I like how the Universe works, let's call it polka dot symmetry. I am quite amused!

Sadly, I couldn't find an image where I could join the dots to make a representation of Charon's face (aka the Grim Reaper). That would have been so cool!. Metastatic pictures! Then again, I suppose I am not ready to stand on the banks of the River Styx just yet...

So, what did we discuss at the oncologist today?

I have 3 options

a) stronger chemotherapy - I pointed out I didn't have much faith in that, and apparently my tumour type isn't that responsive (No kidding Sherlock!) Option Rejected.

b) get more tissue, retry the genetic analysis, 25% chance some mutation could be found for novel therapy

Unfortunately, will need a liver biopsy to get the sample. I recall how awful that was. I almost shit myself in the machine. There's a whole lot of logistics that need sorting with my other medical conditions, but, Option Accepted, I want to give myself a chance at living a bit longer.

c) enrol in drug trials for novel agents. Apparently there's some antibody work going on that looks "promising" (yeah, doesnt it always?). Option Accepted. A No Brainer. I am awaiting details for an appointment with a "Clinical Trials Specialist" (there's such a thing! Mindboggling)

So, after a month of relative quiet, things are going to get much more interesting. I can't get off this train now...Tally Ho!