After a bit of a day having my PET scan I am having a cuppa....
I went for my scan at 09.30 and after having the cannula put in my arm I then had to wait until 2.30 for the radioactive injection, another 50 minutes for it to float round my body and then about 45 minutes to have the scan...finally left the unit at 16.30.
I felt bad for the other people that were cancelled as due to a software problem the PET scanner could not function, for some reason they kept me there so I had the whole unit all to myself...
One good thing came of my scan (apart from the obvious scanning for rogue cancer)... I complained of a bad shoulder which has been bothering me for some time...I have not been to see Dr P on this and a swollen knee as there has been enough going on...anyways I had to stop the scan twice because it was so uncomfortable having my arms above my head for nearly an hour...afterwards the technician said I must have injured my shoulder as I had some inflammation that showed up on the scan...cool, I went and got some Ibruprofen and it feels much better than it has for a while...
Home now and warm...waiting on my CEA blood results and scan results...for some reason I am in no hurry to get them this time so will wait patiently....
Fran was there with me waiting for most of the time and taunted me unintentionally with a pack of shortbread biscuits...I hadn't eaten since 8pm the previous evening so they did look rather nice...
The K's looked after Charlotte this evening after school and fed her before bringing her home...I unfortunately cant have a hug as I have to keep my distance for 8hrs as I am radioactive...cool stuff this technology and if you are interested have a look at the link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positron_emission_tomography
Chris and Colin came round last night with some flowers from the Sunday evening service...we said a prayer which was sorely needed and of great comfort...thank-you
Much Love
T xxx
Monday, 18 October 2010
Sunday, 17 October 2010
Thursday Appointment...
Hello,
Sorry I haven't updated before, been a bit stunned.
Went in for my 09:40 appointment, met Eileen the Colorectal Nurse which made me feel slightly better to see a familiar face...also saw Knowlesey outside the hospital (a brilliant chap who was in my ward) - He looked real smart as going for an interview, I wonder how he got on!
Mr S confirmed that he believed I had a secondary liver tumour and a shadow in my pelvic region. He performed a sigmoidoscopy and ruled out any local recurrence and informed me they would arrange an urgent PET scan. I also discussed my current regime which he said would not do me any harm and that alot of the 'alternative' medicine is not based on much scientific evidence so to be careful. As long as I was eating a balanced diet it all should be fine.
Checked out the dull ache in my left side - probably attributed to the liver problems. The burning sensation on my left scarring is probably due to nerve damage as is the pain in the backside when I sit for a while...
The prognosis so far is...the PET scan will show the full story (whether there are more tumours in my liver, lungs or cancer in my lymph nodes and/or bones)...I am trying so hard not to borrow trouble until it is here but it gets more and more difficult - so I look at the top and bottom of what I have been told:
1) If there are no further spread and the tumour in my liver is of operable size it will be removed.
2) If there is any spread elsewhere they will be talking palliative care to control the cancer (not dwelling too much on that one)
I received a call from the Northern General on Friday evening to arrange the PET scan for 09:30 Monday am...all sorted...Charlotte is round at the K's for tea Monday as I will be radioactive and have been told to stay away from pregnant ladies and kids under 16 for 8 hours so will pick her up later.
Man I could do with a drink, but like I said before with a dodgy liver probably not the best choice to make! However if option 2) I will be off down the Duke of Wellington for one last session before green juice and green tea all the way...
All my family and friends are mobilised...the prayer warriors have been put on alert (thanks minister Lyn) so whilst I am not sure of a definite cure things will be the best they can be..
Richard as always is looking after my interests at work and I hope to close a couple of projects prior to any time off required.
I also have my module 1 motorbike test next Wednesday after which I will be able to book my module 2 and once they are passed I can ride my bike...one has to have goals in life!
Any way my stomach has settled down a bit so off to bed to get some beauty sleep...
Much Love to all and God bless.
T xx
Sorry I haven't updated before, been a bit stunned.
Went in for my 09:40 appointment, met Eileen the Colorectal Nurse which made me feel slightly better to see a familiar face...also saw Knowlesey outside the hospital (a brilliant chap who was in my ward) - He looked real smart as going for an interview, I wonder how he got on!
Mr S confirmed that he believed I had a secondary liver tumour and a shadow in my pelvic region. He performed a sigmoidoscopy and ruled out any local recurrence and informed me they would arrange an urgent PET scan. I also discussed my current regime which he said would not do me any harm and that alot of the 'alternative' medicine is not based on much scientific evidence so to be careful. As long as I was eating a balanced diet it all should be fine.
Checked out the dull ache in my left side - probably attributed to the liver problems. The burning sensation on my left scarring is probably due to nerve damage as is the pain in the backside when I sit for a while...
The prognosis so far is...the PET scan will show the full story (whether there are more tumours in my liver, lungs or cancer in my lymph nodes and/or bones)...I am trying so hard not to borrow trouble until it is here but it gets more and more difficult - so I look at the top and bottom of what I have been told:
1) If there are no further spread and the tumour in my liver is of operable size it will be removed.
2) If there is any spread elsewhere they will be talking palliative care to control the cancer (not dwelling too much on that one)
I received a call from the Northern General on Friday evening to arrange the PET scan for 09:30 Monday am...all sorted...Charlotte is round at the K's for tea Monday as I will be radioactive and have been told to stay away from pregnant ladies and kids under 16 for 8 hours so will pick her up later.
Man I could do with a drink, but like I said before with a dodgy liver probably not the best choice to make! However if option 2) I will be off down the Duke of Wellington for one last session before green juice and green tea all the way...
All my family and friends are mobilised...the prayer warriors have been put on alert (thanks minister Lyn) so whilst I am not sure of a definite cure things will be the best they can be..
Richard as always is looking after my interests at work and I hope to close a couple of projects prior to any time off required.
I also have my module 1 motorbike test next Wednesday after which I will be able to book my module 2 and once they are passed I can ride my bike...one has to have goals in life!
Any way my stomach has settled down a bit so off to bed to get some beauty sleep...
Much Love to all and God bless.
T xx
Wednesday, 13 October 2010
Here we go again!
Hello all,
Well my persistence paid off and found out why Mr S wants to see me tomorrow morning at 09:40....
They found a suspicious mass in my liver, I am to get my PET scan after which they will be able to determine if it has also spread to my bones and/or lymph nodes.
If it is only in my liver they can do curative surgery (I like the sound of that), although if it is spread elsewhere there will only be the palliative route.
One chapter ends and another begins...
I hate to ask again but any chance you can start with the praying again, I have a bike to ride!
T xx
Well my persistence paid off and found out why Mr S wants to see me tomorrow morning at 09:40....
They found a suspicious mass in my liver, I am to get my PET scan after which they will be able to determine if it has also spread to my bones and/or lymph nodes.
If it is only in my liver they can do curative surgery (I like the sound of that), although if it is spread elsewhere there will only be the palliative route.
One chapter ends and another begins...
I hate to ask again but any chance you can start with the praying again, I have a bike to ride!
T xx
Monday, 11 October 2010
Midlife Crisis!
They say that when a man has a mid-life crisis they do one of three things:
New wife, nope happy with the one I have
New Job, nope happy with the one I have
New car, okay with the one I have, however thought it about time I passed my bike test...test yet to come so have brought a new bike...I hope you all approve of the model:
I promise you all that I will drive slowly!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3DtoIuY5AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CepHx-BTvo4&feature=related
T
New wife, nope happy with the one I have
New Job, nope happy with the one I have
New car, okay with the one I have, however thought it about time I passed my bike test...test yet to come so have brought a new bike...I hope you all approve of the model:
I promise you all that I will drive slowly!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3DtoIuY5AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CepHx-BTvo4&feature=related
T
Saturday, 2 October 2010
There is significant uncertainty over my future - apparently!
I have my scan tomorrow morning at 08.40 and will probably get results back in about a week. Whilst I had many scans in hospital this is the first after my release and is part of the regular check up programme. iIt is only a CT scan, I am looking to push for the PET soon. My care team are discussing at the next MDT meeting so I will keep on top of that.
Work wise, I am knackered as still having panic attacks on occasion at night so can't sleep too good although these are getting less and less...thankfully - I saw the occupational health guy a couple of weeks ago. My company wanted to ensure I am fit for work so went to see the company doctor and got his report this morning.... the last part is a bit of a shocker and I quote...
"As regards the short, medium and long-term effects, as I think you appreciate, there is significant uncertainty over his future. In the short term there is good reason to expect that Tony will maintain his current level of performance and most probably improve. The long term we must be more guarded about since there is a significant chance of recurrence of the condition...."
Prayer is not just for when you are in trouble but it helps me enormously when I am - I am not accepting there is 'significant uncertainty' - I know I am here to stay!
Much Love and blessings to all.
T xxx
Work wise, I am knackered as still having panic attacks on occasion at night so can't sleep too good although these are getting less and less...thankfully - I saw the occupational health guy a couple of weeks ago. My company wanted to ensure I am fit for work so went to see the company doctor and got his report this morning.... the last part is a bit of a shocker and I quote...
"As regards the short, medium and long-term effects, as I think you appreciate, there is significant uncertainty over his future. In the short term there is good reason to expect that Tony will maintain his current level of performance and most probably improve. The long term we must be more guarded about since there is a significant chance of recurrence of the condition...."
Prayer is not just for when you are in trouble but it helps me enormously when I am - I am not accepting there is 'significant uncertainty' - I know I am here to stay!
Much Love and blessings to all.
T xxx
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