Health update

I was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer on 4th October 2022. I was given a daily tablet of Osimertinib, a front line drug, but unfortunately although it kept the primary tumour stable, the two nodules in my left lung continued to grow. I was asked if I would like to take part in a trial at The Christie Hospital, and I immediately said yes. I had to undertake several tests before I could be accepted on the Mariposa-2 clinical trial (phase 3). Next week I start Cycle 6, in other words, I have Pemetrexed (chemotherapy) and Amivantamab (infusion), then I have two weeks to recover!

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Excellent news Margaret!

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

Thanks Geoff, really appreciate you dropping by.

[@MicksMasdevalliaorchids]

Great news Margaret, keep your spirits up and have a relaxing weekend.

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

Thanks Mick 👍

[@lucythecat529]

Wow Margaret !! Fantastic news!! You are doing great!! Have a wonderful week!! You look Great too!! Take care! 😊❤

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

Thanks Beverly, your kind words are much appreciated ❤️

[@rosemaryboast3414]

So lovely to see you. Looking good. Wonderful news. Has brightened the day. X

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

Thank you so much Pip ❤

[@EileenWstCstGrl]

So happy to see that smile! Sending you love and hugs, lots and lots of hugs! xxo

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

Thank you so much Eileen ❤️

[@TheOrchidSaGa]

What a wonderful news! ❤

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

Thank you. I enjoyed your phalaenopsis repotting video. 👍❤️

[@clivewalker4272]

What good news Margret lets keep fingers crossed

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

I've got fingers and toes crossed Clive 😉

[@dianeandorchidsatvictorharbor]

So glad to hear your good news. Your specialist sounds like a lovely man, sending you an update so you didn't have to worry all week.

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

He certainly is a lovely man, and thank you for your continued support Diane.

[@anamariamatesanzgadea3556]

I am happy to see you cheerfull,. Keep hanging around. You are on my prayers. Stay positive, you will come out of this. So sure!.

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

Thank you so much, and for your prayers. I'm staying positive for sure!

[@TOEKIEWORLDMarc]

You're smiling, that's always a good sign. Hang on in their and in time you will be dancing and jumping again. 💖❤🧡💛💚💙💜

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

I definitely will, Marc. It'll all be worth it in the end. 😊

[@OrchidandKitties]

Oh, I'm so glad to see you and hear your good news.I wish your good health always.

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

Thank you so much.

[@janicebowyer9072]

Hi Margaret, so pleased to see you’re doing well. Sending love. xx

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

Hi Janice, we're both delighted the trial drugs are working, yippee!

[@EdsOrchids]

Lovely to see you again Margaret.......always wondering how you are doing. Hope the good news continues for many years....
Ed.

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

Thank you Ed. I do hope your procedure went well. 😊

[@andreaallum8859]

That is very good news. I am very glad for you you’re looking well you have many years to come. Thanks for letting us know❤❤❤❤😅😅

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

Thank you so much Andrea, so kind if you to comment ❤️❤️

[@dianeparker2075]

Margaret...that's absolutely wonderful news! So happy for you, looking good. Keeping you in my prayers

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

Thanks Diane and yes it certainly is good news.

[@Naomi-pd9ps]

so happy youre doing well!! also its great youre still doing videos❤

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

Thanks Naomi, every day my health improves, so I'll continue to upload videos. ❤️

[@toddstropicals]

Oh what wonderful news, I'm glad this is work well. Aside from the chemotherapy side effects and all.
Hang in there and stay positive, we're all rooting for you!

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

Thanks Todd, at long last (started treatment on 5th July), I'm beginning to feel like my old self.

[@Rockdoc2174]

I can’t say how thrilled I am for you, Margaret. I hope the side effects stay at a level you can live with. ❤

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

Thanks Keith. Hopefully, my body is slowly adapting to the side effects, but at times it hasn't been easy. However, the benefits far outweigh the discomfort. It's the fatigue that I find the worst 🥱😩

[@Rockdoc2174]

@@orchidsgardeninengland1682 I can’t do as much as I could. It’s common with auto-immune diseases, apparently. I’ll feel fine, push that wee bit too much and I hit a point where I have no energy at all. I’ve had to learn my new limits. Are you similar or is the fatigue just there whether you’ve been busy or not?

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

My fatigue usually occurs after treatment and lasts 5-7 days. I'll just say to Keith, I need to lay down and off I go to lie on the bed. Like you, I dare not overdo it. I've recently been potting up Spring bulbs, but had to be content with maybe two pots at a time. It's so frustrating but I've learnt to listen to my body and if it yells rest, that's what I'll do.

[@Rockdoc2174]

@@orchidsgardeninengland1682 I felt like an idiot almost a soon as I wrote it. I didn’t need chemo when I had cancer, back in 1988, but was told what it would entail. It would have been a monthly cycle. When I asked if I would be able to work in between the consultant just laughed and said “It will flatten you. The time between is only there to get you strong enough to take the next course. No, you will *not* be working while it’s happening.”

[@gcarson]

That's good news!

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

Thank you!

[@YnseSchaap]

😁