Postby kate2101 » Sat Feb 02, 2019 10:53 pm
Hi all,
Don’t mean to hijack Erika’s post but content closely related.
I followed Erika to America and had open nanoknife on 10th January. You can read more of my story in previous posts from my diagnosis in June 2018 but briefly, I was diagnosed stage IV with multiple liver mets and offered palliative chemo (Folfirinox) and had 9 rounds. Nothing more could be offered to me here, although I responded very well to chemo. I decided to approach America and sent my scan details etc and was accepted as a patient.
My husband and I travelled out on 8th Jan, PET scan etc on 9th and procedure on 10th. I will admit it was much tougher than I expected but all went well and we arrived home on 21st Jan. I started back on chemo this Thursday to ‘mop up’ stray cells. I’m holding my breath at the moment not daring to think too far ahead but loads of benign biopsies taken! I know it’s not a cure but the chance of more future ahead is more than I could have hoped for a few months ago.
Anyone considering this option, please make sure you are in the best possible health....protein, protein, protein and exercise as much as you are able. Apart from the obvious discomfort, my biggest problem after surgery has been my appetite, a problem I thought I’d never have! Everyday I’ve managed to eat a bit more, setting small hourly goals, even if it’s half a biscuit.
I’m taking each day at a time at the moment, I know how quickly things can go downhill so I think I’ve poked my head in the sand for a while. I think it’s called ‘plodding on’.
I financed the trip with my life insurance which paid out due to my terminal diagnosis and my children have set up a ‘Go Fund Me’ page which has generously raised some too.
It’s a scary decision and I was convinced I wasn’t coming home again but I’m here with good news and hope!
Kate x
Erika.... thinking about you and hoping you’re feeling better x