Scanxiety, it's a real thing!

Friday 1st July was Action Mesothelioma Day #AMD. The main aim to spread awareness of this absolutely avoidable cancer. Many parts of the UK lit up landmarks and poignant buildings to support spreading the word. Lynndsey (Marks best mates wife and my good friend) called up Sunderland council and got them to light up all the landmarks in Sunderland blue, she did this to honour me living with it. To say I was emotional was an understatement. I really am surrounded by the best people. I decided to wear blue for the day and asked my facebook friends if they would join in. I was overwhelmed by the response, and just wished I could hug every person who joined in, it all starts with awareness and that's my plan, to spread the word as much as I can for as long as I can #beatmeso

In other news. I had my scan on 27th June with results pending. Friday 1st July I got a phone call to say could I come to the hospital to see the oncologist on Monday 4th. The day we were off to Centerparcs with the family, all 18 of us! (imagine the Clampetts on tour!). When your 'in the business' you know this drill, (invited to come in to hospital at the next available opportunity) it's never a good one. I'd been having alot of pain, not sleeping and having some difficulty getting air to the bottom of my lungs too, so I kind of knew it wasn't going to be sunshine and roses.

Mark and me went to the hospital for 10:45 to get my results. The negative upshot: My cancer has grown quite a bit. The positive upshot: My cancer has not spread beyond the right lung. That bus is back and it hit me full force. I was expecting it, but that doesn't make it any easier.

We drove home and told the kids. We told everyone else via text ect. We had a day of crying, hugging, kissing, loving, and then normal service resumed. You see you have to move on, dwelling on it everyday eats away at you (oddly like a cancer!), it's a waste of time and energy. So we enjoyed our holiday, we bowled, walked, swam and tree top walked! We even managed to get a few games of poker in! I'll not be auditioning for pokerstars anytime soon, but I held my own!

The plan from this point then is to refer me to a specialist in Newcastle called Dr Greystoke (I can't say this without wanting to say 'The legend of Tarzan'!!). He has links to studies involving Mesothelioma and can access Genomics testing through this. So Mesothelioma is split into 3 subtypes; Epithelioid, Sarcomatoid and Biphasic (a bit of both!). I have an Epithelioid subtype. Genomics testing can further subtype these and identify the structure, function, evolution, mapping and editing of the DNA of a person's cancer cells. This means treatment can be targeted to suit an individual's cancer type. So hopefully will have some options to explore after this. If not then we go back to my oncologist for possibly second line chemo or immunotherapy (to add insult to injury double agent immunotherapy will likely be passed to be given on the NHS soon, but only as first line treatment (I’ve had chemo so now would be onto second line treatment), obviously timing isn't my strong suit!!). As always I will keep my blog updated with goings on in the journey that is Mesothelioma.