Not Sure

I couldn't think of a title for this update, which probably reflects how I feel at the moment about things, not sure what happens next.

We went to the BRI yesterday and parked ourselves in XRay ready to see the Consultant. They decided to do a CT scan and based on the results of that they could decide what to do (including nothing). The results were not great, the tumour has grown a bit in the last month, not hugely, but it's obviously enough to give me all these problems. She suspects that the stent is not the only problem up there and due to the pressures involved re-stretching the stent again may not last very long or do any noticeable good. I was given the choice of having a go or leaving it. Not a difficult decision, since I am now pretty much confined to a wheelchair.

The procedure took about 40 minutes, same as before, local only, yes it did hurt but it had to be done. Unfortunately as she had predicted it wasn't entirely successful. She managed to re-open the stent fully and insert another balloon into it, but given the pressures in this area, the flow improved only to about 75%. This sounds good, but in reality it won't have improved my mobility by very much. Disappointed to say the least I then had to spend 4 hours on my back dead still while the artery healed and sealed, as there are no stitches involved.

I was finally discharged about 8pm and got home around 9pm after picking up a Chinese on the way home.

What now? Well she will write a letter back to the Vascular team, who referred me, letting them know her findings and they will discuss me at a meeting today. So all I can do is wait. Meanwhile, my legs are still swollen, possibly slightly less judging by putting my clogs on. My mobility is the same and the pain also.

As far as Marsden are concerned they have given me provisional dates to start the trial of the 19th. These trials now are my best hope of sorting out my leg in my opinion, as they may shrink the tumour and relieve the pressure on my nerve, artery and veins, all of which contribute to the leg problems. I'm waiting for the letter to confirm the dates, it would be good if it was sooner.

If the weather picks up we may get away for a few days now the kiddies are back at school it should be safe :-)

Speak Soon
Sheila x