I attended Leeds Hospital (St. James') this afternoon to have a consultation with two of my three cancer consultants at Leeds. I also have another two cancer consultants overseeing two other cancers I have had for some time at Airedale Hospital. As initially feared, it looks like the aggressive skin cancer has spread to the base of my neck and is now tracking itself across my RHS shoulder. To confirm that diagnosis, I had a biopsy taken from my shoulder this afternoon and provided a blood test to check out my kidneys. I was told that arrangements would be made for me to have another full-body scan over the next two or three weeks to see if cancer has recently spread to other body parts.
Given the findings of today's biopsy and the forthcoming body-scan results, a decision will be made re my suitability to receive the drug Cemiplimab. This drug is designed to stimulate the immune system. It is not a cure as my cancer cannot be stopped, but when it works on a patient, it can slow down the cancer growth and delay the final stage of life. It is administered intravenously for half a day at a time every three weeks. The duration of receiving the drug is wholly dependent upon its efficacy, and how well the patient is able to tolerate the bad side effects during it.
This afternoon's hospital visit has merely confirmed what Sheila and I suspected to be the situation. I must admit, that from my cancer consultants (all five of them covering three different body cancers) that the three consultants at St James' Hospital Leeds are on the ball and have provided me with prompt service throughout. In spite of the pandemic lockdown periods we have experienced since March 2020, I have had two major cancer operations, twenty sessions of radiotherapy, two biopsies, two Ct Scans, and a further three hospital visits/check-ups during this twelve-month period. I'd give the NHS 10/10 for the excellent service they have afforded me to date, especially when I hear daily about the delays other cancer patients have had to cope with.
The next important stage is another full-body scan during the next month to see if there are any new cancers we do not know about yet. Unfortunately, my terminal blood cancer condition is prone to give me new cancers in all my body organs, as that is its nature, and what makes it a terminal condition.
The song below is for all people who are coping with cancer, and especially little children who have cancer. God bless you all.
Love and peace Bill xxx
Given the findings of today's biopsy and the forthcoming body-scan results, a decision will be made re my suitability to receive the drug Cemiplimab. This drug is designed to stimulate the immune system. It is not a cure as my cancer cannot be stopped, but when it works on a patient, it can slow down the cancer growth and delay the final stage of life. It is administered intravenously for half a day at a time every three weeks. The duration of receiving the drug is wholly dependent upon its efficacy, and how well the patient is able to tolerate the bad side effects during it.
This afternoon's hospital visit has merely confirmed what Sheila and I suspected to be the situation. I must admit, that from my cancer consultants (all five of them covering three different body cancers) that the three consultants at St James' Hospital Leeds are on the ball and have provided me with prompt service throughout. In spite of the pandemic lockdown periods we have experienced since March 2020, I have had two major cancer operations, twenty sessions of radiotherapy, two biopsies, two Ct Scans, and a further three hospital visits/check-ups during this twelve-month period. I'd give the NHS 10/10 for the excellent service they have afforded me to date, especially when I hear daily about the delays other cancer patients have had to cope with.
The next important stage is another full-body scan during the next month to see if there are any new cancers we do not know about yet. Unfortunately, my terminal blood cancer condition is prone to give me new cancers in all my body organs, as that is its nature, and what makes it a terminal condition.
The song below is for all people who are coping with cancer, and especially little children who have cancer. God bless you all.
Love and peace Bill xxx
