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Some goodish news, but more tests needed.

Meerkat@65
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Hi forum buddies,

I hope you don't mind if I have a bit of a rambling rant, but I'm just  back from the appointment to discuss the results of my last lung CT scan.

I only had the scan last Friday and was pleased that the requesting doctor (liver surgeon) was 'on the ball' and had sent a clinic appointment for today. (Turns out it was the specialist nurse who was actually on the ball with the appointment.)

Unfortunately, the doctor hadn't been able to meet with the radiographer before today's appointment so although he was 'reading' the report to me, he didn't seem as up to speed with information as he usually does!

The upshot was, there is still only one lung lesion, but it has doubled in size since the last scan back in May (still very small at 6mm.)

So next steps are an MRI of my liver to rule out any recurrence of cancer, another PET scan to see if the lung lesion is still 'hot' and that it is the only hotspot in my body and then an MDT meeting to discuss results and treatment options.

The liver doctor was talking chemotherapy again, but as I reminded him, I was intolerant to the mildest form I had last year!

He also said that the lung surgeons in this health authority region, are notoriously reluctant to do metastasised lung resections from primary colorectal cancer, but given my age he would argue my case and advise me to have it done. This of course, is all dependent on a clear liver scan and no other hotspots!

The specialist nurse was unavailable today, but she is going to ring me tomorrow, hopefully having arranged these two scans. (Hope she's on the ball there!)

As we left, the doctor did reassure me that the timescales involved wouldn't make any difference to my lung and to "try not to worry" and to "go and get on with your life."  I know what he meant, but once again, it's the age old 'waiting game' scenario!

I'm focussing on the positives that it's still only one lesion, but I think I'd stressed myself out so much before the appointment (worst case scenario mode!) I felt deflated rather than uplifted as I left the hospital.

(Apologies for any insensitivity in my rant, as I know many of you would do anything for this result!)

Rant over! Thank you for reading.

Love Jo xx

  • Offline in reply to LorraineD

    Hi again, Lorraine,

    You should be a detective You guessed right with my age . . . I'm fast approaching my half century! It's just into the new year, so I intend to have a small celebration of some sort - though riding on the back of Christmas, most people are on diets or detox regimes in January! I'll start mine in February! Haha!

    Well, I'm off to grab a cuppa - my lovely man has made some meringues (yes I know sugary things are bad!) but one will be a treat!

    Take care, lovely lady,

    Jo xxx

  • Offline in reply to jules54

    Hi Jules,

    Managed a lie in today - well until 8 when the dog 'found me' in the spare room and jumped on me! (Partner decided to swap sides, pull covers off, snore etc, so at 3am I threw in the towel and snook into the spare bed!

    We've not planned much this week, and as you've rightly guessed, I'll be taking it easy, pottering and catching up with the mundane things like booking the car in for a service and arranging a sick note! Ah, life in the fast lane!

    Well, as I said to Lorraine, I'm about to indulge in a homemade meringue (with cream and strawberries)

    A friend was due to call at 4 but at half 3, rang to say she was just in from work, had to take the car for a service (spooky coincidence!) and had last minute packing to do for her delayed honeymoon, tomorrow! She'll be a bit miffed when I post a picture on FB of what she's missed out on!

    Take care, Jo xx

  • Offline in reply to Barbarella

    Hi Jayne,

    There's obviously something about the 7th for medical procedures!

    If you need to know the ins and outs (pardon the pun) of the contrast enema procedure, fire away!

    It was fairly 'routine' after what we've already been through! The doctor who did mine, was able to say at the time, that it looked fine, but I did then have a follow up consultation with my colorectal surgeon who confirmed everything was nicely healed.

    I'm just waiting to get all the other bits of surgery done before I can contemplate becoming a Dyson once more. I'll be following your progress with interest, Jayne.

    A trip to the Christmas market sounds wonderful! Our school doesn't venture too far in the run up to Christmas, though the Y2's go and sing carols at our local Sainsburys and raise money for our local hospice. Some 'carefully selected' Y2s also go along to the hospice and sing for the staff, patients and visitors. They are always well received and staff have said what a joy it is to have the children in to sing.

    It sounds as if your ideas, all those years ago, have stood the test of time. Traditions are great and I bet each visit/trip gets easier (I'm saying that with tongue in cheek - does any school trip ever get easier? Haha!)

    No doubt we'll chat before the 7th, but I hope your appointment goes well . . . I'll be out for the count, so will have to catch up with you, a few days after the event!

    Enjoy the rest of your week, speak soon,

    Hugs, Jo xx

  • Offline in reply to Meerkat@65

    Hi Jo,

    I wanted to wish you luck for your procedure next Friday. I'll be thinking of you. I love your humorous approach to everything, "hotel NHS" made me laugh! I hope you didn't give yourself too many stern words when you gave yourself a talking to. You have dealt with so much and it's impossible to be upbeat all of the time. I still have down days when I cry about everything that happened but that's allowed. I hope you had a good rest during half term and that you can stay relaxed for next week (and bug free from the children!) You have lots of people on here wishing you well. I'll look forward to hearing form you when you are back at home.

    Nicola xx

  • Offline in reply to Meerkat@65

    Decided it would be best to send best wishes for the weekend having received 'forum offline' notification when I logged on today.  Hope  you doing okay and have enjoyed a bit of pampering during the half term break.  Wishing you all the very  best for the 7th too and sending hugs.   Take care.Jules x

  • Offline
    Hey Jo Just wanted to say hi and wish you the very best of luck for tomorrow Hope to hear from you once you are up and about Jayne xx
  • Offline in reply to Barbarella
    Hi Jayne, Thank you for your kind, good luck wishes! I'll be thinking about you too, as you go for your appointment tomorrow. Hopefully, your consultant will be very informative, but I always tend to go to appointments armed with a list of questions! I hope you get a date too! How is your first week back going? I finished at 3 yesterday, and almost had to be escorted out as I was still trying to tie up all loose ends! My colleagues promised they would finish off the never ending list of jobs! (Made me wonder what I'd actually been doing all last half term! ;) ) Today is a day of odds and ends - sick notes, prescriptions, hospital packing, etc, the fun never ends haha! Have a good weekend and I'll look out for your post about your consultation, when I'm back in cyber space! Jo xx
  • Offline in reply to Meerkat@65

    Hi Jo,

    Just wanted to wish you all the best for tomorow. Take care and look forward to chatting to you again soon.

    Have stocked up on nuts so will be even more nutty than normal by the time the weekend arrives, Hugs, Brian.

  • Offline
    Hi Jo, Just wanted to add my best wishes to you for today. A lot of people will be thinking of you and sending good vibes and positive thoughts. Big hugs xx
  • Offline in reply to Meerkat@65

    Hi Jo

    Keeping you in my thoughts, sending virtual hugs and hope your op goes well.  Enjoy some TLC and be good! Jules x

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