Latest update –

After a routine MRI, a small lesion was found in my liver. I had a second liver resection on the 2oth October 2021. Professor Ramos was my surgeon again at the Donald Gordon Medical Centre, Parktown, Johannesburg.  The tumour was removed as well as a small part of my diaphragm which was caught in with a bunch of scar tissue; he also removed lots of that. Back into remission.

I started adjuvant chemotherapy (Oxaliplatin three weekly) and Xeloda (Capecitabine) tablets (for two weeks) on the 18th February 2022 at Nosworthy Oncology (DGMC). The plan is to have six cycles.

Update – on the Friday 7th August 2020 I was back in Adam’s office, after a really shitty week and anxiety through the roof and he said that the CT showed some activity in mostly two lesions (segment six of  my liver), however as we were comparing CT to previous MRI, he didn’t want to confirm or deny whether it was back! My CEA (tumour) markers were not ready and I was to book an MRI for six weeks. I asked if I could have one earlier but the surgeon wanted me to wait. Sigh. Fast forward again to Wednesday 12th and I was told over the phone that my markers were at 22.8 ng/ml. The normal range is <2.5 ng/ml in an adult non-smoker and <5.0 ng/ml in a smoker. I saw Adam Friday 14th August and he said we need to move fast and he sent me for an emergency MRI Monday 17th August which confirmed that the cancer was there and the lesions had grown again.

**Liver resection was performed on 24th August 2020 and all lesions and cancer were removed.

Update – on the 8th June 2020, I had a meeting with Adam, my oncologist and he confirmed that there was no evidence of disease and that no further treatments were necessary! I will continue to have three monthly check ups, including bloods and MRI/CT. The next one is due beginning of August. Here is a clip of me ‘ringing the bell’ with Dr Adam and his team at Nosworthy Oncology (DGMC) and my husband laughing in the background, along with a post about why this moment was so important! Big smiles all round! Love, Jojo xo