Picture: Neil & Sue in Sicily 2025
Update follow-up after treatment
It’s been a year since my last update, and there have been a few things to share. Briefly, I was diagnosed with 2 issues earlier in the year. First a hernia, then a 15mm kidney stone. Both need treatment. The kidney stone was treated with a laser in August. This made a massive difference to the pain I had been feeling for over 10 months. Then, the hernia was repaired 2 weeks later, both under a spinal anaesthetic. The hernia was just over 3 weeks ago, so I’m looking forward to driving again from this Thursday and overall I feel so much better.
I have a further update on my ongoing health. I had an annual PET scan back in July, and today I saw a professor of oncology, Dr. Sarker, at Guys. The main news to share is that my latest PET scan is showing a slow but definite progression of the cancer in the spots in my lungs, together with 2 lymph nodes in my chest, which have been there for over 3 years. But there is no new areas of disease, and it is all still part of the original type of cancer, which is a relief as we were not sure if it had changed into something else. One of the good things about the cancer I have is that although rare, it is relatively slow growing, so that gives the doctors time to treat things.
The plan is to start treatment in a month with a Lanreotide injection, after I’ve had a couple of further scans. The drug affects receptors on the cancer, blocking the effects of the abnormal protein and should help keep things at bay. I will continue to have injections every 4 weeks, which will then be monitored via scans every 4 months.
We have planned a 2-week trip to Japan this October and our concern was that the treatment would effect our trip; however, the doctors are happy it can wait until we get back.
So, overall, we feel the outlook is positive, which was a big relief and there are also further treatment options down the line if needed. I’ll update you when there’s any news. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all of you for your messages, prayers, and unwavering support throughout my 12-year journey.
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Picture: Neil & Sue in Canterbury 2025
