The Alien Within: 42 – Remission & English Bubbles…

Date September 4, 2015 Author By RLG Category Journal

Bride Valley…

Today was, by recent standards, a very good day!  I have felt pretty much normal today with the only lasting side effect being the tingly fingers and toes, but that is a constant.

During my consultation, yesterday afternoon, I asked my Doctor if I should continue with the drugs prescribed for my Neutopenia?  She actually said I should not really have been put on them, although they would do the job prescribed for, they would not increase my white blood cells, which were a bit on the low side.  She told me, in no uncertain terms, to stop taking the extra drugs and prescribed the sub-cutaneous injection that will increase my white blood count.

I got the distinct impression she was not best pleased, as this should have happened last weekend to ensure my blood count was normalised before starting my next cycle.

Now, my next cycle is, it seems, entirely dependent on the injections doing their job before Monday.  Not particularly good news.  So, unusually, I have to have bloods Monday morning, instead of starting straight on the Chemotherapy.  With strict instructions that the Chemo must not start until my consultant has cleared it, following the blood test results.

Having had the injections before, I am fairly confident they will do their job, but it is not my call.

Remission (medicine) – the state of absence of disease activity in patients with a chronic illness, with the possibility of return of disease activity. (Courtesy: Wikipedia)

We will not even contemplate the last part of that particular definition, although it still lingers menacingly in the background.  The key thing is, remission is a major milestone in ousting The Alien Within.  And we rejoice accordingly.

The fact we have achieved it so swiftly, bearing in mind it has only been just over two months since the original diagnosis, is testament to both the speed and professionalism of every single consultant, doctor, nurse and everyone else involved, as well as the treatment I have received since the specific diagnosis of my Cancer.

As Jilly said, it has been one heck of a roller coaster ride, and a very fast one at that, but we are so very thankful to our excellent NHS and all of their amazing staff, at every single step and at all levels.

Incidentally, I discovered yesterday, that I am, currently, the only recipient of the specific treatment I am receiving, which is known as R-CHOP, (each letter representing a particular component of the cocktail).

Apparently this treatment was trialled and tested extensively in America and has been proven to increase success in the treatment of Non Hodgkins Lymphoma.  It certainly appears to have been tackling The Alien Within, in my case.

So, although we did indulge in a little Pol Roger, with dinner last night, we decided to pop down to The Bell Inn for a celebratory meal this evening.  In so doing, we tried one of their English ‘champagnes’ – Bride Valley 2011.  A rather lush treat enjoyed by both of us and a great way to celebrate our news and good fortune.

Nb:  We must not call English bubbles ‘champagne’ for this is reserved for those French types originating from the Champagne region.  That said, some of our English bubbles, including Bride Valley, will readily give some of the French champagnes a bloody good run for their money!

Of course, I am not supposed to indulge in alcohol at all through my treatment, although an occasional glass during the normal periods will do no harm.  I am not sure the best part of a bottle, two nights on the trot, qualifies as an occasional glass!  But it has been a bit of a special occasion!

Let’s hope the injections do their job and my Chemo goes to schedule on Monday…

NEXT: Cycle 2 – Day 20