Hi back in November 2023 I was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer of the duodenum. After a few scans I was told that it had already spread to my spleen, a lymph node, my spine has 3 lesions and my liver has a cluster.
That's the cancer , now about me. I'm a 73 year old male. I already suffer from COPD. and Heart disease consequently I'm not very active and have trouble breathing. To add to this I have an untreatable tremor + arthritis in wrists and hands , so as besides not very active I can't do much through lack of dexterity.
After talking to the oncologist we came to the agreement that palliative care was the way forward. We decided that monthly injections of lanreotide to slow down the cancer. Because of my other issues excepting this was a no brainer. Off I went waiting for a date to start. The oncologist then said as this was a rare cancer he just to make sure was going to seek a second opinion , which I thought was a sensible move.
He approached the a hospital who are the known top guys when it comes to neuroendocrine cancer. Nearly 4 months later they come back with the idea of more scans, perhaps a course in chemo plus a trip to London ( I live in Cornwall )
I know my cancer is incurable I've excepted that. I have so many issues it was easy to take. I've excepted the fact that I was to settle down with the lanreotide+ any other palliative care as and when it became necessary. Now they have thrown a spanner in the works. To be honest I don't want to drag myself 250 miles to be told I should have chemo that I don't really want. At the moment although so many issues I'm comfortable. Throw a course of chemo and the disruption that causes into the equation then I think it will be robbing me of time that I actually feel reasonably well
So what do I do my head is spinning . Would I be right in saying thanks but no thanks can I have the injections please
Frank
