Trial & Treatment Tribulations

Most of the moments since my appointment with Oncology on Monday have been spent researching, exasperating, securing information, chasing, discussing and feeling overwhelmed.  The timing of the next phase of my treatment will exactly correspond with the expected peak infection period by the Coronavirus in the UK.

The type of Chemo I am likely to have makes you neutropenic (low white blood cells) which effectively means your immune system becomes severely suppressed. This would be, to quote Donald Trump "very bad", in the context of a dangerous new disease which can nobble those with underlying health issues ...including broken immune systems.

Chemo has been given for my type (grade 2/size 6mm/node +/macrometasteses) of breast cancer as a "belt and braces" approach for decades. The medical world now know that for up to 70% of us, Chemo doesn't actually make any more difference to cancer returning than the endocrinal treatment we will get after the Chemo.  So if I am in that 70% should I even risk doing Chemo at this dangerous time? We are grappling with what is known about this, the options we have or can create and the moral values of different routes.

I am really sorry for not replying to your messages/calls at the moment, Sally (Jezz's Stepmum) is with me so I am well looked after, however, I am on continual calls between trials staff, Jezz, private med people, Jezz, hospital staff and Jezz again plus family if I can.  All the while trying to make some pretty life critical and terrifying decisions about my treatment. I don't mean to be rude, please bear with me as I keep my head down. Thank you!🙏🏻

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