Paul's Health Updates

Apologies for the lack of updates recently, this Chemo cycle to date has been without issue, a bit of fatigue and very light nausea but all things considered things continue to progress well. Looking forward to spending some time with family over the next few days.

While 2024 has not perhaps turned out as we would have wanted or hoped there is still plenty to be thankful for as we celebrate Christmas. As we have travelled the journey to date we have been truly humbled by the number of people that have so graciously supported us as a family. It is greatly appreciated, the number of people that have reached out over the last few months and have been praying for us has blown me away, including people that we have never met, thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

This Christmas it is my prayer that everyone will get space for reflection, refreshment and renewal as we remember the birth of Jesus.

Bumpy start … got there in the end. After promising the nurses I would behave myself it wasn’t long before I broke my promise!!!

Chemo administration was not without complications today … there was a clot at the end of my port, it was on the scan so not a surprise but ended up ending additional drugs to break it down. Not a major but slowed progress.

Once that was sorted … I had another reaction at the start of the drug infusion … not quite as exciting as last time … think everyone was much more aware this time. I gave them more advanced warning the nurses were on their toes to stop the pump. Came and went quickly again … shame there is no photographic evidence as apparently I turn all sorts of interesting colours.

The dose rate was slowed and the rest of the session went without issue. Given the good early response to treatment everyone seems very keen to do whatever is possible to continue with the current drug concoction.

Had an Oncologist appointment today following a CT scan last week. “Short of a miraculous healing it’s as good as you could hope for” … it seems prayer and chemo are a very effective combo.

Comparing scans side by side it is clear that the liver tumours are much reduced in size and their shape shows evidence of healthy tissue regenerating into the tumours.

CEA markers in the blood also continue to reduce, they were 30 pre treatment, 35 after round 1, 10 after round 2 and now after round 3 are 3.6.

The current plan is to have another 2 rounds of treatment (18 and 31 Dec) and then miss a cycle to have a break to allow 2-3 weeks to enjoy some of the NZ summer without chemo side-effects. Then get back into treatment in the last week of January.

Thanks again for all the prayer and support … it is both humbling and very much appreciated.

Spent last night (Thursday) in hospital after developing a fever.

After a series of tests was discharged early this morning with a course of antibiotics. Appears it is most likely related to the blood clots discovered earlier in the week.

Had no other symptoms other than the elevated temperature, still feeling well other than suffering the effects of a night with no sleep.

I had another CT Scan today in preparation for an appointment with the Oncologist next week. They picked up a blood clot in my lungs on the scan, apparently it is not uncommon with ~25% of Chemo patients getting clots.

Just more medication to add to the list.

Continue to feel reasonably well all things considered. Thanks to everyone for the continued prayers and support.

Expect to get a full read on the scan and the effectiveness of the treatment next week. Will update once we have details.