It transpired the machine required to do my leg procedure was broken and needed a spare part, hence no appointments being given out. I'm pleased to say it is now mended, and I have an appointment for 15th/16th May at the BRI. It's an overnight stay and a general as far as I can see, but won't know much about the actual procedure until my pre-op appointment on the 9th. So watch this space.......

It looks like the house will be ready mid-May, we still don't have an exact date but it's getting close and we are starting to sort this place out in earnest. Almost getting exited but it's been a long time coming, I think when we get the date we will start buzzing.

Been a quiet week really, main focus has been getting the appointment and sorting out the house. Tried to get Glasto tickets but couldn't get through all morning. We had a busy weekend last week for Frank's birthday, we were fed up of eating and drinking by Sunday night! Off to see Aussie Pink Floyd tonite, our age group, they even let you take drinks in to the Colston Hall, unheard of in my youth!

Speak soon
Sheila x

Waiting

I can't believe it is two weeks since the last update, where does the time go. Hope you are all enjoying the brilliant weather as we are. We took the opportunity to take a few days in the Gower last week in the camper van, had a great time, found a good camp site and managed to explore the whole area over 4 days, by van, although I did manage a slow walk along the beach at Oxwich Bay, what a beautiful beach. We will be going back.

We returned because we thought I would get my leg appointment this week but nothing has happened. I am on a waiting list apparently, no idea how long the waiting list is or when the appointment might be. Not being the most patient of people in a queue, you can imagine I'm not too happy and at the current rate of progress it looks as though nothing will have happened before May, when I was hoping to get back onto Chemo. All I can do is keep chasing, meanwhile my leg has got a little worse at night again, requiring a couple of extra painkillers.

So frustration reigns at the moment.

Frank's having a 3 day Birthday this weekend starting today, any excuse for a drink :-) Talk about stringing it out, not the big one this year though, he's quick to point out he's still a toyboy.

Speak soon.
Sheila x

Slightly longer update

The weather has been just too nice to sit indoors on a computer, but I'm already a day late with the expanded update, so here goes.

We went to the hospital on Monday to get the results of the scan, but it hadn't been analysed in time so we were asked to return on Wednesday. The doctor was unhappy about the reactions I was having and the fact my treatment was being done at home and not in hospital. However , as I said, when we returned on Wednesday we were told the chemotherapy isn't working, the tumour has grown slightly so there is no point in continuing with the current drug, Taxol, so end of reaction problem. The proposal was then to put me back on a drug I used last year, called Carboplatin. It had some success last year in reducing the tumour so it may do again. As I feel well, I am happy to give this another go. My hair will now start to grow back slowly.

However after much discussion and consultation with other consultants, we have decided to take a break from chemo and see if anything can be done about my leg to give me more mobility. It will take about two weeks to get an appointment to see what can be done, but there appear to be one or two options. I hope they will be able to put a stent in my leg to release the blood flow. They are optimistic from the scan, but need to do their own investigation to decide.

I will return to Oncology in 4 weeks to see if we can then restart chemo with Carboplatin or another drug if they suggest it. My usual consultant is away but will be back for that appointment, so we can decide then and we wil know about the leg too.

So it was a mixture of feelings really, disappointment that the chemo hadn't worked but hope that they can do something about my leg so I can get walking again with the group which I really miss. It would also be a lot quicker to get anywhere than I can at the moment, it's very frustrating, having to stop all the time to get the circulation back.

We're staying at home over Easter, the good weather will bring out the crowds, but hope to get off again somewhere when we can, let's hope the good weather lasts.

Happy Easter everyone.

Sheila x

Quick Update

Here's a quick update as it's been a long day, I'll expand more tomorrow.

The chemotherapy isn't working, the tumour has grown slightly so there is no point in continuing with the current drug, Taxol.

We have decided to take a break from chemo and see if anything can be done about my leg to give me more mobility. It will take about two weeks to get an appointment to see what can be done, but there appear to be one or two options.

I will return to Oncology in 4 weeks to see if we can then restart chemo with another drug.

More tomorrow, I'm having a glass of wine or two now :-)

Sheila x