Had a good meeting with the Oncologist today - put a few fears to bed. The bottom line is that none of the problems I had been experiencing points to something unlying that is going to finish me off in the next few months!
The back pain and stomach ache could well be from the cancer getting into the bones - not great long term but treatable with Radiotherapy in the short/mid term. I will be going for a bone scan in the next week or so.
My shortness of breath is most likely down to the radiotherapy I have already received causing the lungs to become fibrous and reducing breathing capacity. At best this is something that goes away over time, at worst it will cause shortness of breath after exercise etc - the good news is it does not point to the cancer spreading into the lungs significantly.
In the last week or so my eating has become a little tougher - again we discussed the options. Internal radiotherapy - this is a single dose given via an endoscopic set up that should have similar effects to the external radiotherapy which was so successfull. Alternatively (or as well as eventually) they can insert a stent to physically open up the tube.
Going back on the 18th November to hopefully review the results of the bone scan.
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Clive, many thanks for posting this and though it sounds grim in some ways, it is great to see that there are positives too.
ReplyDeleteIt is said that the mental attitude is probably the most important aspect of any medical care and based on your posts, you have a very solid mental outlook. We'll keep the prayers going (can't hurt anyway!)
ReplyDeleteBig hugs man and if things feel pants think of 'Squirrel Tooth Alice', now that is a REAL bar!
ReplyDeleteAh Squirrel Tooth Alice's....."Warm beer, lousy food"!
ReplyDeletehopefully geocaching and cheering for the posh aren't classified as exercise!
ReplyDelete