AUNTY DORZ Cancer Journey

02/01/2025

04/02/2024

3 monthly check up done. Blood count good and CT scan clear. One more year of chemo drugs then I'll be considered to be cancer free.

15/01/2024

Annual scan...... fingers and toes crossed x

16/08/2023

3 monthly check up.

15/04/2022

HEY GUYS....
first off, happy easter to you all. Feeling grateful that this is another celebration I am here to enjoy. Not long to go either til my moko graces us with his presence.
Thought I would take the time today to update this page cos its been a while.
As you know I'm in remission, but still having to take some serious meds in a bid to prevent any of the tumours that were found in the small bowel from returning. We have all had Covid since then ,moved to our new rental home, and I also developed a kidney infection (now resolved)
If that wasn't enough I have developed a adverse reaction to some of the meds, and we are still trying to ascertain which ones in particular. So the doctor wont sign me off to return to full time work just yet. Had to come off the chemo tablets for a week or two during which time the rash that had developed appears to have cleared up, so I'm back on them again now, as of yesterday.
So far, all good.
You probably have seen my hair is also growing back. Not sure if I like it or prefer the bald look....lol
I've been busy baking and making jam, and doing all the little things I used to enjoy, and looking forward to going down to spend a night with mum tomorrow.

Hope I haven't bored you all. Have a great weekend, and stay safe if you're on the roads

Much love

16/02/2022

Thank you all for your love and support during this time. Officially in remission

08/02/2022

Scan time this morning . Time to find out if all the treatment and surgery for the ovarian cancer paid off

08/02/2022

hey guys.....I know I haven't updated in a bit, I've been processing the next part of my journey mentally.
As you know I have managed to get out and about a bit, but still getting very tired during the day.
I recently (last week) had an appointment with the clinic who will be looking after me in regards to the two GIST (Gastrointestinal Stroma Tumors) that were found on my small bowel, during surgery for the Ovarian cancer.
Whilst the doctor has informed me that the managed to remove those two tumours, they did have some concerns about the risk of them returning, so with this in mind, they are going to start me on a preventative medication. (Targeted Therapy)

Targeted therapies are drugs that interfere with the way that cancer cells grow. Growth inhibitors are a type of targeted therapy. They work by blocking signals in the cancer cells that make them grow and divide.

In more than 8 out of 10 of people with a GIST (about 85%), the tumour cells have a change (mutation) in a protein called KIT. This change means the GIST cells constantly get signals telling them to grow and multiply.

Treatment with growth inhibitors can block these signals. This may shrink the cancer or stop it growing. There are 3 growth inhibitors that can be used to treat a GIST. The one I will be on is called
imatinib (Glivec®), and hopefully this will stop any chance of it coming back.

Today I went for CT scan to find out the outcome of the treatment that I had for Ovarian cancer, and also to ensure these GISTs haven't grown again. The Ovarian side of things is looking good with my last two blood tests showing the markers at 12, which as you know from previous posts, if its under 35 its a good sign.

Now just got to wait for that to be confirmed when I attend hospital appointment on the 16th.
Could we all keep praying please whanau

14/01/2022

And that's a wrap. All treatments completed. Outcome now in hands of him upstairs. Should get results mid February....fingers and toes crossed and lots of prayers 🙏 ❤

12/01/2022

Its been a minute since I posted on this page. Christmas and New year were both quiet ones, suffered severe constipation after treatment on 24th, and thank god my mum was here to help with that problem.(It was a s**t one to say the least :) :) . )
Celebrated my 60th in style with some good friends and family last weekend.
Had over the phone consultation with doctors yesterday, and they have advised my CA125 markers are sitting at 12 ....wooo hoooo that's a WIN. Down from 20 last month, and the 158 they were when first diagnosed.
Due for final round of chemo for the ovarian cancer treatment tomorrow. He mentioned I may get a lesser dose due to the fact my results have been so good, but also to try and stop the neuropathy in my feet, that has gotten worse in recent weeks.

Appointment has been made with the team for the G.I.S.T to see what the next move is there. ONWARDS AND UPWARDS