Next phase, Vinorelbine chemotherapy.

I have seen my Oncologist today. The radiation blood test I had for the ADAM trial is better than I thought but not good enough for the trial. I was expecting this and was not surprised, and had decided any way, that the trial is just that, a trial and not yet proved. I therefore favoured the Vinorelbine chemotherapy course as, although only one digit chance, i.e. less than 10% that was better than no chance.

They were going to put me on the chemo drug today but decided that I had better have a proper blood count first as the chemo will effect my bloods. They wanted me to go back to hospital again tomorrow to pick up the medicines, but I persuaded them to let me have them today and they will telephone me tomorrow morning to give me the go ahead, or not. My blood count has been a bit low but should be alright, so I am not expecting a problem. Watch this space!

I have lately been getting more uncomfortable, particularly in my back so I was very keen to get started as soon as possible, so it everything is working out well.

I am going to feel pretty rough with the treatment, but I am now through month one of my four month prognoses so can’t wait to get started with the chemo.

I need to take one capsule tomorrow, then one on day eight, then a week’s break. The cycle is three weeks and my Oncologist is talking about 4 – 6 cycles if it is working. He will x-ray and monitor me and then give a CT scan after two or three cycles. I will be keeping everything crossed for a positive outcome. At least I am still fighting and feeling positive for now.

My amazing MacMillan nurse is going to ask my Surgeon Karen Harrison-Phipps about the possibility of more de-bulking surgery. I asked, when Karen operated on me in 2008 what the possibility of more surgery was and she said’ Never say never’ so I thought it was worth asking the question. It is not usual in this country to do more surgery but they do in the USA, with some positive results too.

It is our 36th wedding anniversary today and we are going out for a nice meal this evening. Let’s hope I am still around for our 37th. I will jolly well do my best to be, prognosis or not.

I have been thinking and worrying about my fellow Meso warriors who are also going through this dreadful experience. I wish them all luck and good results.

Thank you all so much for your best wishes and positive comments; they are so welcome for us all. I really do have an army of supporters around me!

An outside chance in Germany

I had disappointing, but not totally unexpected, news from the Prof. He said he has only given me embolisation, without any chemo drugs because of my kidneys. He says he is willing to do one moretreatment, to make me more comfortable. He is not now talking about being able to ‘help’, only make me 'more comfortable'.



My oncologist has offered me Vinorelbine chemo therapy, as it will not damage my kidneys further, and I will know if it has had any effect in two months. But he thinks it will only give me a one digit chance of shrinking the tumours. My problem seems to be around the central heart area where it is aggressive and threatening the heart. I think I will give it a try and hope the emobolisation has weakened the tumour enough to give the drug a fair chance to work better.


I have contacted the Prof. since my return to the UK and asked him if he thinks another embolisation and me taking Vinorelbine would give me some positive benefit. He says yes, and vinorelbine is a good idea. He replies almost instantly, which is really good.

I realise this is now the end game, but whilst there is fight in me I won’t give up. My family are all behind me in this too.

I met up in Germany with Debbie Brewer and a new meso warrior called Richard. Debbie has been told her tumours have shrunk by 2 – 3 %. This is good news to hear and took the sting out of the tail for me.

Thank you all so much for your kind support; it makes me feel I have an army on my side! In all of this I have made some very good and kind friends.

Here is a picture of Alison, Richard, Debbie, Myself and my darling Rob taken at the station the day before our treatments.

Just a short note.

Well, sod it, I am not giving up! I have been in contact with Professor Vogl who says he is willing to try and help, so we are going to Germany on the 4th August for a CT scan and treatment on the 5th. I have absolutely nothing to lose by trying this except money. I will still hopefully have the option of the chemo with one digit chance of success if it doesn’t work. I would even prefer to be on dialysis and still alive, providing I have some quality of life.

Thank you all so much for all your kind messages, they do help a lot.