Mike's Treatment Diary

Friday 15th March 2024 Into the city again to UCLH for my 3rd post treatment PET scan.  Same as before, injected with the radioactive trace, an hour of rest whilst it circulates then a full body plus a specific head and neck scan.  Takes about an hour and a half from start to finish. As I'm now back at work 5 days a week I went over to Aldgae and spent the rest of the day on the office. Now sat on a train at Liverpool St commuting home, like the old times..... I have a telephone appointment next Thursday so should get the result then.

Thursday 28th December The Oncologist has the PET scan results and they show that all is still well. The lymph node is still shrinking, by about 30% since the last scan. So in all a much happier Christmas than last year and a check up in three months time.  Onwards and upwards

15th December 2023 09:40 Back at University Collage Hospital for a PET scan Canular inserted to allow them to fill me with a radioactive trace. All done by 11:30, off for a well earned Christmas curry :-)

Following on from the biopsy and MRI from a month ago we have confirmation that the primary cancer site is clear and that the secondary site in the lymph node contains only non-active remnants of the cancer there. Effectively it's gone. The last couple of weeks and a visit to the surgeon today have been deciding the best path forward regarding the lymph node. The upshot is that it will remain in place as its no longer any threat and I'll be scanned and monitored. Next scan around the end of the year. The possible collateral damage to muscle and/or nerves in the neck as a result of surgery are figured to be avoidable as the node is benign now. If things change surgery can be revisited. So, onwards and upwards. Thanks for following my diary and for your positive comments and thoughts.

Friday 8th September  10:30 Train from Stortford at 07:15, tube from Tottenham Hale to Warren Street. 08:30 Blood test at the McMillan Cancer Hospital 09:30 Ultrasound scan at the ENT Hospital next door 10:45 Canular inserted for and MRI at 11ish, then back to ultrasound for a biopsy.

Tuesday 5th September  19:10 Since the mixed news of the last entry it's been a waiting game, this Friday I haven ultrasound guided biopsy on the lymph node on the right hand side of my neck. It's been a frustrating wait. I still don't know if I'm getting an MRI on the same day. This would be ideal so I don't end up having to go into UCLH twice. Also the sooner the better. If I need it operated on I'd rather know and get it out of the way.