5. Phase 4: June 2001 to the present day in February 2002: Treatment in Germany
PHASE 4 JUNI 2001 ... ... treatment in Germany.
Do not want to elaborate on various medical conditions that we in Germany experienced a short list.
First thing the professor decided to chemotherapy was applied in the Netherlands withdraw. 2 more chemotherapy after them. On the scans, I was clean, his conclusion was: "So let them work the number of cells further reduce by two additional chemotherapy." Then a number of injections given to my immune system back to work to turn.
In late June was based on scans that the cancer was active again, the bottom of my back. Subsequent scans indicated again that next to my spine and pelvis also was active in my lungs. It was decided to irradiate and that in a radiotherapy clinic in Osnabrück. Again the approach we're going into it, not only pain but not everything good deal. We have spent 10 weeks in Osnabruck and do every week from Monday to Friday.
After mutual agreement between the professors decided to irradiate my lungs a bit of metastasis to remove and do in labs to test the chemo in the future, the cancer could tackle, a vaccine and some analysis programs that have needed whether or not certain drugs should be administered.
Irradiation was completed in early September and clean again. The vaccine produced by the lab over the next six months would be administered.
In late September showed that it has spread in my mind active, incredible blow. But here again OK against it. The chemo that was tested in the lab as still working for me, was administered a total of four chemotherapy again. What appears in December metastases in my head nearly off. Complete in January. We are going next year to focus on further reduction, improved immune system and so on. We also know that we are far but have already come a long way, and they still fight for us. That will motivate.
Number of experiences:
- Of course I have suffered many kinds of side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Sometimes weeks
Accountable. But an aggressive cancer requires an aggressive approach, otherwise you'd better not start.
- every 4 weeks to have the professor scans, would only talk on the basis of facts. Small cell lung cancer is so fast that you can not scan a few months should be skipped. You could see with me, clean early September, late September active metastases in my head. X-rays will not see the professor. Think you have cancer you should require periodic fully screened, scanned, regardless of treatment you are following. I hear now that many people where cancer is found too few checks and then when something occurs it is too late.
- The professor has no clinic, takes only hours. Treatments should be performed by others. The chemotherapy will be given in such a hospital in Cologne, there is also incredible how you helped, they say we do not have what we have been busy with a Dutchman, on the contrary, they go for you. Not only the doctors nurses also try your utmost support.
- They have no waiting lists, sometimes we had to urgently arrange something, then the reaction we are full, come at 7 o'clock in the morning and we will do it. Staff came to work earlier.
- You're not a number, anywhere you are with your name called, no punch cards.
A problem because you're in treatment in Germany you do not count on Dutch support. We have tried to check out the example given chemotherapy to get you did not ride up and down, could not.
Once a month is a botversterker infusional, nothing special, an hour and finished the bottle. Want to link them here so up and down.
We are still looking for an oncologist who wants to help us with acute problems, have not succeeded. We know a Euro, cooperation in the medical level in Europe seems to stand still in their infancy.
We know that we are far but feel supported by the German doctors, which is so motivating.
We've already come a long way, we were two months ago A.van Leeuwenhoek (for support from the Netherlands), the oncologist said literally: "Stay in Germany, we can not offer this."
In the Netherlands we have obviously not stupid medics, they also have to deal with too many patients, limited budgets, many agreements between government and medical sectors so on. Each interview lasts one hour with the professor, so a professor can treat patients much less. Of course we can all blame on the medical resign. But look at TV, the commercials on that you can have cheaper insurance with ... ... A good medical care is of course very expensive, but we can assure for a tenner cheaper than we take. Of course, a lot of money wasted, too much overhead you name it. But the system is also a reflection of us.
We look back gratefully, many treatments but also result, of course I'm not there yet, the future remains very uncertain. But if we get the chance we enjoy every day. It is true that you should pay attention to enjoy. From one treatment to another is sometimes prevail. What we usually do is the agenda at the beginning of the week suits and say we still have hours or days we can look, something fun to do. Conscious time for free.
From now on we write this supplement, hopefully get some useful information from readers, and think OK, do not give into it. (Editorial Note: See now also on this page Marije story of how Bert's wife has experienced everything.)
