Day 22

Tuesday 18th April
08:30

In to single figures, 9 sessions left. My throat is quite painful now when swallowing, we've increased the morphine dose to try to deal with it. I'll be having that after I've driven home.

Yesterday I pretty much slept all day, today hopefully I can get a couple of things done weather permitting.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

It's all happening

Image
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.
Read more

Treatment plan

On 18th Jan I went back to UCLH for a follow up with the surgeons and subsequently the doctor who will be looking after my treatment. The surgeons were happy that they had got the primary source and presented two treatment options, surgery + chemo + radiotherapy or chemo + radiotherapy. There would be an added layer of risk to me to undergo the surgery and everyone is confident either path would result in a full recovery. With that information I decided the non-surgical option would be best. I am now awaiting a date to attend North Middlesex Hospital to start a chemo course, two sets, three weeks apart before I then get the chemo+radiotherapy daily for a further 6 weeks. Ultimately I am going to be off work for 6 months covering the treatment and recovery.
Read more

they think it's all over, it is now (more than likely)

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.
Read more