Having spoken to Prof, and having had no chemo in March because of the virus situation, we mutually decided that I will now come for Velcade only.
Dara, the main full day drug, represses the immune system too much, so is seen as too big a risk currently. Not that being off it, feels exactly risk free, so, hmm, not sure how long we can take this approach for. Some of Ray's patients have been shifted onto a new drug called Ixa (long name), but as I am an idiot, I can't take it as it only comes in capsule format, and yes, I am still utterly incapable of swallowing capsules. And this one is too toxic to open up & mix with yoghurt – it has to be in the stomach before it hits your system.
So its Velcade only for now. Worrying, as it means three monthly visits to CCL, but they have taken all precautions possible. I now wait in the car park till I get the call, then beetle up the stairs, touching nothing, and straight into a consulting room. Where a masked nurse wipes the treatment chair in front of me (I feel like I should do it myself, slightly uncomfortable!) and washes her hands before doing obs and weighing me. At least for once the scales are happier with me – this staying at home thing means we are eating less than in normal life, despite afternoon tea and three squares a day.
And then she takes bloods, gets only the topline results and then gives me the injection straight away – 30 mins, in and out (at a rate of knots). Was a bit freaked last week, first actual building I had been in for 5 weeks other than the house, but this week it felt a bit better.
So, this is it for this month and probably next – will see what Prof reckons the next time we speak as being on only the 'lesser' of the two maintenance drugs is not very reassuring, so watch this space x