Thursday 10 September 2009

Some good news for a change !!

I didn't really expect to feel much benefit from the blood transfusions I had. I was asymptomatic I thought. No shortness of breath, no tiredness (well no worse than usual!), I didn't look anaemic. So it was a lovely surprise to wake on Monday morning feeling wonderful !! Bursting full of energy and all bright and breezy. I guess it had been a slow process and I hadn't noticed the gradual effects of being anaemic. What a difference it has made though - I'm sure I was given 3 pints of Linford Christies blood !!

Tuesday morning and off I went for my MRI scan. This was a first for me, Ive had loads of CT scans but didn't really know what to expect with an MRI. The first thing is that you don't need any 'prep' for it. No nasty drink the night before. And no nasty, stingy injection during. But as far as scary, noisy procedures goes it wins hands down. An MRI scanner is a long tube which you are slid into - completely if you have your whole body done. I only needed my legs doing so was lucky enough to have my head poking out of the end. The end of the tube was only inches from my nose though so it must be very claustrophobic if you are right inside the machine. The worst bit is it its so NOISY. Its like having major road works being carried out right next to your head. I was given some head phones to listen to the radio with which did help but for the 20 minutes I was in there the back ground banging and thumping was still clearly audible.

I didn't have long to wait for the results - I had an appointment for that afternoon. That's pretty impressive isn't it? Martin and I arrived on time, and were immediately shown through to the consulting rooms to meet Mr Tillman - the surgeon on Mr Grimer's oncology team. He brought up the MRI scan on his computer - it was a view of both my femurs looking upwards as if from my toes - the bones showing as two dark circles like doughnuts. The right femur looked fine with the tumour visible in the middle bit, the cortex where the bone marrow is, but the surrounding bone unaffected. The left one showed the bone to be thinner with a small break in one area where the tumour had burst out. But basically the bone itself looked pretty good to me.

Mr T. agreed. Not as bad as we originally thought. Wow !! That has to be a first for me !

He then went on to say we have 2 choices. Either an operation which would entail having the affected piece of bone cut out and a metal rod inserted. Quite a major operation really. Or to treat it conservatively with radio therapy and the infusion of Zometa to strengthen the bone.

I asked him what were the chances of my leg breaking if I decided not to have the operation and he said he didn't think it would - unless I had a fall or something. And then even if I did he could still perform that operation.

So as far as I'm concerned the decision was an easy one. I'm feeling well right now and don't want to risk a long recovery process, the risk of infection etc... and more to the point, being off Sutent for an extended period of time, which I would need in order to have this operation. That is far riskier than having my leg break.

Although it was my decision it was nice to hear Mr T. agree with me. I shall have another MRI in 3 months time (it is SO good to hear a doctor confirming I could well still be here in 3 months time!) to see how the infusion is working and review the need for an operation then.

It looks like I'm having a bit of luck for a change - and it is about time isn't it?

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

OH WELL DONE Jane, you deserve this news, wish you every blessing.

LYN said...

THIS HAS MADE MY DAY!!
AND ABSOLUTELY DESERVED...YAY SOME GOOD NEWS JANE!!!

Donna. W said...

Wonderful!

I've had MRI's done on my knees a few times; I think it's the whole body one that some people dread, because they are claustrophobic.

Jackie said...

Well done Jane I'm so pleased for you! I've met loads of people who've had zometa with little side effects, bit of a bad taste in the mouth, usual fatigue, all the norm for us eh? So glad you don't have to endure an op for the femur! You're right it's about bl--dy time something went in your favour for a change!!
Jackie x

kurly1954 said...

Jane

Glad to hear your good news .

take care

god bless.

Shirley xxxxx

Unknown said...

Time for good news, I'm so glad. And so glad that you're feeling chipper with your _new_ blood.

Sandy said...

YIPPEE for good news. So glad to hear you are feeling better and things didn't look at bad as anticipated.

pam said...

Hi Jane. Excellent news. I am really pleased for you. I just had an mri and waited 3 weeks and 2 days for a result! Glad yours was fast, the way It should be. When I was In mine, I was right in the middle and I am so claustrophobic I can't believe i did it! I was just relaxing when the woman spoke over the microphone and I almost peed! lol. Lets hope I only needed the one!! Love Pam.x

karen in ottawa canada said...

You've put a song in my head - "right, right, you're bloody well right"! So glad to hear your good news - has made my day! We're all in this together my dear, even if we are a pond or more away! Enjoy your new found energy - those blood transfusions really are a wonderful thing aren't they! Kudos to all those lovely people who keep the supply available for us!
Hugs,
Karen in Ottawa Canada

AngelaBradley said...

this is good! When I came out of my MRI, I asked if I could go back in, I found it very very soothing..AFTER I relaxed!

Anonymous said...

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ours is http://thelaffalouds.com

Cheers!
Deb & John

Katie said...

Great to hear that things are looking up for you!

I wanted to share a heart-felt video called “Stand Up To Cancer”— http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9avVoQB2_rQ> . This video highlights the importance of managing your cancer treatment and avoiding infection. Please watch and share with all your loved ones.

Best of wishes

mortonlake said...

good news jane.but MRI scans?ive had 8 or 9 now,and i hadnt realised i was claustrophobic till i had one lol.bloody noise.even worse if its brain.im sure the last brain scan i had made my hair stand on end.weird feeling.take care,love mort xxxx

Yasmin said...

Great news Jayne good luck with the infusion.

Yasmin
xx