DEFINITELY NOT GOOD NEWS!!
Saw Dr Sanghera to discuss the results of the last scan and possible future treatment. After discussing how Deb had been feeling since the operation we looked at the scans (still not understanding exactly what we're looking at). It is clear that the operation has reduced the overall size of the tumour but the Grade IV active parts are continuing to progress. The Gliadel Wafers inserted into the tumour during the operation have controlled tumour growth to some extent, and in this respect the operation was a success. However, the continuing growth of the tumour means we need to consider what can be done now.
Dr Sanghera thought that the best option was a course of PCV Chemotherapy (a combination of three drugs; Procarbazine, Lomustine (which is also known as CCNU)and Vincristine).
PCV chemotherapy is given to Deb as a day patient. Treatment involves an injection of vincristine (a colourless fluid) that takes about 5-10 mins to administer, a lomustine capsule (1 tablet), and procarbazine capsules which are taken daily for 10 days. After this course there is a rest period with no treatment for 32 days. This means that one cycle of PCV lasts for 6 weeks.
PCV is more aggressive than the the course of temozolomide chemotherapy that Deb had before and she is likely to experience more severe side effects. The most common being lowered resistance to infection, nausea, bruising, bleeding, anaemia, tiredness and feeling weak, numbness or tingling in hands/feet.
Dr Sanghera emphasised that PCV only had a 20-40% chance of effectiveness. Deb is well at the moment and he is reluctant to prescribe PCV if it makes her feel very ill with a chance that it might not be having much effect.
After discussing the issue Dr Sanghera gave Deb a week to go away and think about whether she wanted to go ahead with PCV or not. We have a further appointment with Dr Sanghera at the Cancer Centre next Monday.
After this meeting we met with Fred, (Macmillan Specialist Oncologist Nurse)he was more positive than Dr Sanghera about the chemotherapy. He said that people who responded well to Temozolomide also responded well to PCV. Deb had defied the odds to be so well for so long.
He did make us appreciate that we are now entering the final stages of Deb's illness. The decisions we have to make now are in regards to Deb's quality of life. Although no-one can put timescales on things, it seems likely that Deb has months rather than years.
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