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Cancer drug treatment support for Alice

  • March Update

      13 March 2025
    Posted by: Alice Rooslien Smith

    The final meeting with the breast cancer surgeon (before surgery). The surgeon explained that the latest scans show that the last round of Chemo/Pertuzumab have shrunken the two cancer tumours right down to almost nothing. Almost as perfect as you could ask before heading into surgery to remove the remains of the tumours.

    Friday 7th of March, Alice had her Breast Cancer surgery. (Morning Session)

    Took 4 hours with two surgeons. There were some complications with internal bleeding in the right breast discovered in the evening, Alice was rushed off for a 2nd operation on the same day to stop the internal bleeding and drain 300ml of excess blood that had caused the right breast to swell.

    During the night, her blood pressure kept dropping, so two blood transfusions were administered and check ups every hour during the night & early morning. Catching up on sleep was not happening.

    She stayed a total of 5 nights at the Hospital for observation and help with pain relief.

    She is now home and resting. :)

    A district nurse is booked in to visit Alice every few days.

    Alice is happy and positive but still in quite a bit of pain. That is my job in writing down the pills/pain relief she takes and help organise them.

    Next stage of this journey is wait for lab results, radiation and Herceptin every 3 weeks for 1 year.

    Thanks again for the support. Pertuzumab did its job and reduced the tumours to almost nothing and also helps with less chance of recurrence too.

    Regards

    Ross & family

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  • Round 5 done, 1 to go...

      2 February 2025

    Alice had her 5th round of chemo on January 17th, so one more round to go!

    Good news. The main tumour in her breast has shrunk, it's now under 10mm in size.

    We took a chance and had some lovely family time away catching up with close family members literally straight after round 5 was administered. She had Chemo round 5 on the Friday and we were in the car travelling south with the kids the next morning.

    As from her experience it takes a couple of days for the symptoms and nausea from chemo to kick in.

    As her husband it was nice to see her out of the confinements of our house, change of routines, getting some sun in her face and some good laughs and joyfulness with close family members.

    The week prior she was busy with an Oncologist meeting on Monday, Tuesday was a blood test, Wednesday nothing, Thursday she had a heart scan. Friday, Oncologist meeting again. Another reason why it was good to get away for a few days, and focus on something else than cancer!

    After we got back home, it was full on with side effects of Chemo for her. She really only came back to her normal self on the 29th of January. So now she will have 8-9 days of being herself and kinda feeling good before she goes into round number 6 of Chemo on the 7th of February. A roller coaster of feelings, she has got used to, well kind off.

    Next tough step/decision for Alice in this journey. What type of breast surgery she wants. She is having a consultation with the surgeon in early February.

    Ross

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  • Round 3 Update

      17 December 2024
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    I would like to say thank you to all those that have made a contribution so far and shown Alice some love by getting behind her Breast Cancer journey. It all makes a big difference.

    She is on number 3 round of Chemo/Pertuzumab right now. The days 3-8 after each round are what we have been calling "Hell week". This is when she is in the most discomfort and pain. Random nose bleeds, joint pain, Nausea, list goes on.

    Alice said to me the other night, "I don't know if I can keep going with this chemo treatment ". She is the toughest woman I know and for her to say that, means a lot of discomfort she is in from the Chemo treatment.

    Alice has three more rounds and each cycle is like a roller coaster, about day 10-11 after each round she will start to bounce back health wise, sort of ready physically/ mentally for the next round on day 21..(chemo every three weeks).

    Thanks again for the support. Means a lot that you have her back and Alice has enjoyed the messages of support.

    Her next round is on the 27th of December, so we will be able to enjoy a nice Christmas day with close family visiting.

    Merry Christmas to you and your families.

    Ross, Alice and our kids.

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