VI. Blood results 14 days post carboplatin chemotherapy

Dear All

I hope this finds you well.

Friday marked 14 days since I received the carboplatin infusion and I had a follow up booked to check my blood count and ensure that all was going as it should be with this clever therapy.

The nurses in the phlebotomy clinic were on good form. Whilst taking blood my nurses suggested that I looked like a rugby player but not a famous one! I confirmed that I was once a rugby player but that didn't mean I wasn't famous for other reasons!

Anyway, I have again to praise the speed and efficiency of the oncology department as my blood results were ready after a short stroll and coffee. Meeting the nurse I was again armed with some questions. Why was I being requested to have a diagnostic CT scan on Monday when i'd only just had the planning CT scan the previous week - had they found something? Was I allowed to book a holiday in September following my radiotherapy and how long would it be before they would know if the therapy had worked? My chemo nurse went off to find the registrar to get some answers.

Firstly, I was delighted and I mean truly delighted to hear my blood results were very positive (white blood cell count 8.4 and neutrophils 4.75). You may recall from an earlier update that the St Luke's Cancer Centre is affiliated to the Royal Marsden Hospital in London and a review meeting of cases was held every two weeks between groups, with my case being selected for review. Evidently my original CT scan had been discussed and there was some dispute over the presence of the tumours on my lymph nodes and hence the rescan before I start the planned radiotherapy on Wednesday.

This news came as somewhat of a shock but characteristic of the journey I am on. I thank the Lord for the good blood results, with regards to the scan I can only plan for the radiotherapy starting on Wednesday and hope that the scan results are positive on Monday. I will meet the registrar on Tuesday morning and hope to learn more.

I have had some superb follow up from old friends, amazing response in prayer and just great comments on chateaumcguire.com - some innovative and exciting plans to raise some money for Cancer Research UK and St Luke's Cancer Centre - news to follow but do drop me a line if you'd to be involved ! Best wishes

Stuart