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Cancer Treatment Review

Eighteen month post relapse treatment review. Bellybutton Panda

18 Month Post Relapse Treatment Review

In November 2016 Ryan was given 2 days to live when the feeding tube he had ruptured his stomach and caused Peritonitis.

In September 2017 Ryan was given a 3 months prognosis when his lymphoma relapsed. The doctors said his kidneys were not strong enough to cope with chemotherapy a second time.

Then we were given the opportunity to try a new immunotherapy treatment. The doctors could not give us any stats. Either it would work or it would not. What did we have to lose? The Drs just hoped it may give Ryan a few extra months.

On Wednesday 6 March 2019, Ryan and I met with his Oncology Consultant for his 18 months, post-relapse, treatment review. Dr C is more than impressed at how well Ryan has been able to tolerate the immunotherapy treatment with little to no side effects.

Immunotherapy Treatment

Ryan is not cancer-free, the Epstein Barr viral load continues to spike in his blood plasma but at the moment the immunotherapy drug is keeping the cancer at bay. It hasn't gone but it hasn't got any worse. Dr C has agreed to apply for funding for a further 6 months treatment. With a 2 year review in September.

The routine remains the same. Blood tests every third Tuesday in Carmarthen and every third Thursday for Pembrolizumab treatment in Cardiff.

We have also applied for Ryan to attend a college course in September studying Animal Care. Ryan would like to work with dogs either in a boarding or rescue kennels. He has a natural aptitude for maths, computing and science but feels these options would be too boring for him. With everything that he has faced it definitely changes your outlook on life and doing something you enjoy is paramount.

The battle continues...



Comments

  1. Anon12 March 2019 at 05:07

    Fascinating as ever! You all (the whole family) project such calmness and competence - a lesson to us all xxxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @SarahLou12 March 2019 at 10:27

      Thank you for your lovely comment. Learning to live with a long term health condition has been hard, but we are getting there and are lucky enough to have a fantastic support network of family, friends, social workers and therapists.

      Delete

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