Sunday 5 April 2009

Sunday 5 April 2009

Great news on Friday when I saw my oncologist Dr Podd. The original tumour in my right lung has shrunk still further & there is no further spread elsewhere in the lungs. And my next appointment with him is not until September!! I'll continue with my very mild chemo sessions (45mg of vinorelbine) lasting about 30 minutes every 2 weeks (or 3 weeks if I should be abroad on holiday). I don't see my other oncologist, Dr Smith, about the lumps in my breasts until 27 April, but they have also reduced in size & density, so the oestrogen tablets seem to have been working well. This is the best possible result we could have hoped for & I'm still dazed by it.

In spite of lots of phone calls, we are still waiting for treatment of Roy's symptoms I mentioned a week ago. Meanwhile, social services have done wonderful things for him: a splendid throne-like perch stool for the kitchen & grips at various steps arount the house to steady him & prevent falls; an exercise list to strengthen leg & ankle muscles, which he has already lost (if only they could do the exercises for him); a district nurse who's been to the house for dressing a small leg wound; etc. Stuff like this isn't always attended to so promptly & I'm also dazed by such service.

On Thursday Roy & I enjoyed neck & head massages which are part of the alternative therapy offerings in Ipswich Hospital's cancer unit. We also have discovered a picturesque new route to the hospital that's bursting with spring blossom & growth, so it hasn't been too bad a week.