News 24th Feb

Well, we've had some more information about what has caused Isabel's recent illness. The tumours in the peritoneum have grown, (now they're not being suppressed by chemotherapy), causing a blockage of the small bowel. This in turn is causing a dilation of the tubing, backing up any food to the stomach and causing the sickness. The doctors have advised Isabel not to eat for 48 hours and prescribed a course of steroids, in the hope that a rest will help the bowel return to normal. Following that, the sooner Isabel can start chemotherapy again, the better. Needless to say, this is a serious development, especially if the blockage doesn't clear. We are talking to our oncologist on Wednesday who may be able to give us more information. The "best case" scenario is that the blockage clears and Isabel can resume chemotherapy on Monday 10th of March. However, this is likely to be her last course of chemotherapy and after six months, we may well be in a similar situation.