Thursday 22 January 2009

Scan number 11

Its been 2 years since I was diagnosed and in that time Ive had 11 CT scans - but this was the first time Ive had one that threw up more questions than answers.

Thursday afternoon is definitely the best time to attend the Cancer Clinic, by the time I arrived for my appointment at 4pm the place was almost deserted. There were perhaps only 12 other patients there waiting to see the various oncologists and only one chap other than me to see Dr P.

When we were called in Dr P had his new CNS with him, Susan, and a pharmacist who will be holding a clinic in the future purely for Sutent patients. We started off by discussing how I had been coping with the side effects of Sutent, which was pretty well, and then moved on to my CT results. This is where the confusion started - some tumours which had been reported on before wernt mentioned and some new ones had appeared. Dr P spent over an hour going over all the scans Ive had and trying to make sense of whats happening.

Basically the two tumours I have under my right arm pit have shrunk. The one I had in a lymph node next to my lung has disappeared. But I now have tumours in both my adrenal glands, not big ones, but big enough to be measured. And there is a huge new one, bigger than a golf ball, on my ride side just under my ribs - which explains all the pain Ive been getting there which I had though was muscular. This tumour is almost completely necrotic (dead) though but with a teeny line of live cells around the outside - very similar to the one I had next to my lung. According to Dr P this is very unusual (trust me) and he is going to hold a review of all my scans with the next Multidisciplinary Team Meeting. There was no mention of the tumours on my left hip or right rib.

Overall though Dr P said I still have stability and he was pleased - so was I, albeit a little confused too ! I guess Ill just have to wait for the review by the MT.

I left with my next prescription for Sutent a little deflated as I was expecting much better more definitive results - but having mulled it over during the night, as you do, Ive decided that whatever is going on Sutent is still working, Im still here, and thats the important thing.

Today Martin and I are going down to Torquay for the weekend (Torquay in January!) just for a little break. The weather forecast is terrible so we will probably spend most of the time huddled round the fire in the hotel !

8 comments:

Sybil said...

Morning Jane, well having read what the Dr. has said I think that actually you had a great result yesterday..maybe as you say not quite as you had wanted but when you think that even this new tumor has not developed must mean that the Student has been working on that one as well..."good old/newStudent" !!!! Take care friend and have a lovely weekend in Torquay even if it is to be a nasty weekend !! a warm fire sounds just great to me...
Much Love Sybil xx

Sugar said...

you may be feeling a little down right now, as the scan didn't go totally as you'd hoped. but most of it was good, right? and hopefully you'll get the other answers you need soon.
keeping you in my prayers.
have a lovely wkend.
huggies...

Yasmin said...

The Dr may have been perplexed but did not seem alarmed, but glad he is investigating further, the Stutent is working and you have some positive results. Have a great weekend ehat better way than to be huddled around a fire.

Take care

Yasmin

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

I do hope you are blessed with some nice weather on your get away weekend. Sounds just like the medicine you might need right now. You'll be in my prayers as well as those doctors helping you.

Hollie said...

I'll be praying for you Jane. Enjoy your weekend with Martin!

Jan said...

Sounds as though even though perplexed the Doctor was pleased ,I hope you have agreat weekend with Martin ,I so admire your positive attitude ,Iam sure that contribites to your well being ,keep it up ,though at times it must be hard ,,still praying for you ,and there is power in prayer ..love Jan xx

mortonlake said...

know how it feels jane.you want to hear good news,and get news which is,sort of,good but as you say asks more questios.whatever,it proves the sutent is working.enjoy that fire.and the break,take care love mort xx

ADB said...

Hello Jane,
Your news is mixed, and if the consultant is confused then it's understandable that you are as well. It is never nice not knowing what those results actually mean, and I can understand you are feeling a bit deflated. I hope you get some answers as soon as possible. At least things do not appear to have worsened, but it is very easy for me to act upbeat. You are going through this, and I hope things clear up soon.

Guido