A Break from Chemo

More news from Tumourville.

I got the results from the latest MRI scans yesterday and although there is no more shrinkage what is left is showing a lot less contrast. This is caused by less contrast agent being taken up by the tumour area and indicates less activity in the tumour. The bad news is that the current chemo treatment may have reached its limits for now.

Anyway the hospital tumour board has decided it is time for me to take a three month rest from Chemo. This should allow my body to regain some of its old strength and hopefully build me up for the next phase of the fight.

I'm obviously in two minds about this but I'm very thankful for the break.
Getting the results from the next scan (in November) is going to be pretty scary, but until then time to enjoy at bit more life.

40 minutes in the Doughnut

Spent an hour at the hospital this morning to get my latest MRI. I've got so used to this procedure of sticking my head in a doughnut for 40 minutes that I managed to get some extra kip. I only woke up for the radiologist (or is it a Magnetologist?) to stick a needle in my arm to introduce the contrast agent.

I must ask sometime why they do one set without contrast and a second (much shorter session) with.

My appointment to discuss the results are not until Friday week. This is my first MRI post Chemo treatment, so I'm quite looking forward to the results.

Blood Tests

I am booked in to the hospital next Wednesday for an MRI with contrast, so I had to go to the doctor this morning for a blood test to check my creatine levels (no not cretin levels).

Apparently the contrast agent can upset the creatine levels in the blood, so I need a normal level before I go.Wasn't that interesting?

Yet another hole in the arm.