WAS CRAPPY news NOW GOOD news Now Unknown News Re. Ray aka Greynomads thread

[Dot]

Lets hope you get some good news Ray.

[Keith Morris]

Same as Dot has posted old mate
Keith.

[Greynomad]

No chemo today… Platelets again.
Oncologist says my bone marrow has taken such a hammering with the chemo that it’s not recovering properly.
He has called a halt to chemo until he has results from a bone marrow biopsy scheduled for two weeks time.
I’m booked to see him a couple of days before we head off on our Big Train Tour.
I guess the trip will give me time to discuss the future with SWMBO…
There is a back-up treatment on offer, but it has side-effects that sound worse than the problem.
Not keen.
I’ll keep you posted…

ps. Dottie, maybe you should change the title of this thread back to the original…

[Dot]

Crap news again Ray but never give up and we know you won't, get on that train and sit back and enjoy that lovely trip. Any joy in a marrow bone transplant?

[Greynomad]

Unfortunately not.
I asked today about a transplant of either platelets or marrow.
Oncologist said neither would give me enough of a boost.

[T1 Terry]

Not great news Ray, but hang in there, fingers crossed the bone marrow has a recovery plan that it hasn't told anyone about and things will be good when you return from your rail trip ......

T1 Terry

[Dot]

Ray I know you must be so peed off with all of this and you trust your medical team but have you done any searches for any new treatments overseas? You never know and plenty of people have had good results even when their medical team have not heard of the new stuff. Has you Son had anything to say? When do you hit the tracks? Pics please. x

[Dot]

Came across this on FB thought it may be of interest....

Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation
Sponsored
·
Associate Professor Amit Khot is a haematologist and clinician at Peter Mac. He’s focused on improving treatment for aggressive blood cancers such as T-cell lymphoma.
These cancers are rare, complex and difficult to manage with relatively few treatment options.
One of the therapies he’s trialling is T-cell redirecting therapy, which teaches the immune system to seek out and destroy cancer cells, with a different and milder side effect profile.
“It works by activating the immune system, directing immune cells to the cancer, so they can recognise and destroy the disease on their own,” A/Prof Khot says.
These approaches have shown good results in other cancers, and early trials in T-cell lymphoma are showing real promise for patients who have not responded to other treatments.
“We are seeing people who were once told their cancer was incurable… now in remission,” he says.
Associate Professor Khot’s findings are breaking new ground. They will spare so many patients from gruelling pain and no hope of recovery.
When you support cancer research at Peter Mac, you have the power to save countless lives.
https://support.petermac.org/ProfKhot

[Greynomad]

Dottie,
Thanks for your interest and support (and adding to the thread title ).
And thanks to all for your support.
I’m already on the list for any new research programs which might be of value to both me and the researchers.
As far as the immune system thing goes: that was what was done when I started immunotherapy, prior to switching to chemotherapy. Had to supply a DNA sample so the medication could be tailored to my body and the cancer structure. The reason for switching was that the immunotherapy didn’t completely work. It held the cancer to a standstill, but wasn’t strong enough to reduce/eliminate it.
Both my oncologist and I (& SWMBO, of course) are hoping the bone marrow biopsy will reveal something which can indicate a way forward which will improve things for me.
Meanwhile, The Big Train Holiday is now exactly THREE WEEKS away!
We’re looking forward to the break from constant medical appointments, and we intend to focus entirely on enjoying the journey through this amazing country, as we did when driving ourselves — this time, someone else can worry about getting us around. And we can have champagne with breakfast if we so desire, without worrying about the Boys in Blue!

[supersparky]

Where are you and Joy going on the rail journey Ray?
Wherever, whatever, enjoy your travels.