Hi Ed and Cosmopolitan.  How did your MRI go on Monday Cosmpolitan, its painful lying there for so long isnt it.  When will you get your results, fingers crossed.  Ed have you had a date for your MRI yet?  I know about the pain.  my pain went from being okay to being so sore without pain medication.  I am hoping that this radiotherapy starts working soon.  I am going to pick up the brace and get all the information about wearing it etc on Friday so will let you know if it works.  Never heard of anyone else having a brace.  I am worried about going through the scanner at the airport as it has metal rods up the back.  Be like the bionic woman :)   Hope you are both well. Big hugs.

Lee x

Hi Lee

Good to hear about how you are getting on. Hoping that the radiotherapy will give you some respite from pain and your back brace will help support your spine so good luck for Friday. No I do not know of anyone who has a back brace for cancer in the spine. Maybe worth a new post asking forum members for their experiences. Im sure that airport security will be able to check you over while wearing your brace. No date yet for MRI scan. Still waiting for radiographers report of CT scan from scan 3 weeks ago. Doctor has looked at scan and thinks there is no change to lesions on spine although the back pain is getting worse. Hope you are out walking your dogs today. 

Ed

Hi Cosmopolitan and Ed,  how are you both doing.  I am not too great at moment.  On antibiotics for respiratory infection was in hospital but now home.  Can't have my treatment today as neutrophils are too low.  We are going to Portugal tomorrow , Tavira Ed so will let you know how we get on.  My research shows it is nice and quiet which is what we like but with things to do and see.  I would like to see the Flamingoes in the saltpans.  Have you had any further news on radiotherapy Ed?  Hope your back is still feeling okay Cosmpolitan.  Hugs to you both.

Lee x

Hi Lee

I want to wish you a lovely well deserved holiday to Portugal. I guessed you had not been too great recently, cancer is relentless isnt it. I had two of my earlier treatments postponed for similar blood count readons. The doctor has decided against single dose radiotherapy for now. Still waiting for MRI scan appointment 4 weeks now! I think you will enjoy Tavira. There are boats on the river to takeyou out to Ilha deTavira for a couple Euros nice clean long sandy beach cafes etc. Theres lots of churches, a small castle worth the uphill walk for the view. A camera obscura interesting if you have not seen one before. A small museum with stuff from Portugals Islamic past. The saltpans on this side of the river are now disused but worth a look. Theres a market, shaded garden, plenty of choice of restaurants. A day trip to Faro is worthwhile you can get there by bus or local train 40 minutes. Of note are the Cathedral and there are boat trips out to the nature reserve. Hope the warm dry climate is kind to your back. 

Ed

Morning Ed,  we got back from Tavira yesterday.  We didn't stay in Tavira itself but the cabanas Tavira which is right on the beachfront.  We went into Tavira itself twice and it was so lovely.  I did enjoy being cancer free for a week and my back was absolutely fine on the flight.  Thank you for your recommendation, will definitely go back there as more to see than Praia da Luz which I also liked.  We saw flamingoes on the saltpans.  Our next planned trip is to Iceland in February, been twice before and love it there.  Cant wait to float in the hot thermal water at the Blue Lagoon.  Have you had a date for your MRI yet and did doctor tell you why he decided not to do radiotherapy?  Mine put it off for a few months.  You are off soon aren't you?  Take care Ed.

Lee x

Hi Lee

Your holiday to Portugal sounds wonderful. Ive not been to Cabanas but the beaches along that whole stretch are beautiful. To be able to forget about of cancer for a week makes it all so worthwhile. We are off to Lisbon, Sintra and Coimbra next week after my treatment.  Then a few days on the Algarve. Plenty of stops to straighten my back. Had MRI and awaiting results. Doctor decided to take a wait and see approach for single dose radiotherapy to one of my vertebrae. As cancer is currently stable. Althogh pain is a bit worse. Iceland sounds an adventure especially mid winter something to denitely look forward to. Nice to hear from you.

Ed

Hi Ed and Lee glad you are enjoying holidays.    Apologies have been rather busy lately.   Treatment going ok although have had to miss two lots of Ribociclib due to bloods being rather low.  my Oncologist  now decided to reduce the dose so that this does not keep happening.    First MRI was quite positive results and have a further one on 2nd Oct.  I was advised against flying due to risk of infections as bloods so low so we have had a few breaks in this country.    Although I am desperate to cross the pond!    Will see how I get on with reduced dosage.   Enjoy your holidays 

Hi cosmopolitan good to hear from you. Your oncologist sounds clued up and actively monitoring your treatmemt and making adjustments where neccessary. I had 2 treatments postponed in the eatly stages due to blood tests not right but seems to be ok now. Have taken several short summer UK breaks. Allowed to fly but insurance always problematic. The immunotherapy and denosumab is working well and no progression visible on last CT scan but awaiting more detailed MRI results. Like everyone here good days and bad days but enjoying the good ones to the utmost. Hope you blood counts normalise and you get to make your trip acroos "the pond".

Ed