MRI Scan results
Great news, the brain scan went well, they did find my brain after all and it looks normal. That was a relief, so on the way back to the clinic I felt much more relaxed and was thinking things are at last looking up.
Unfortunately when Dr Draczynski had a word with me this afternoon it appears that things aren't quite as rosy as I first thought. He has now had the opportunity to compare the results of the liver ultrasound to those of the last one in May and he said that the lesion (that I already knew about) on my liver has increased in size and believes it to be a suspected liver metastases (tumour). Also to add to this, when I arrived yesterday they took some blood for testing and the tumour marker results have comeback with a big rise in the breast cancer marker CA 15-3. Back in July the result for the CA15-3 was 17 (which has risen steadily from 12 over the last 18 months) but today's result is 41.8. This was a big shock and I am a little worried. What has made it rise so suddenly?
So now Dr D is slightly concerned about this all. The only way to rule out a tumour on the liver is to have a PET scan but the new Oncologist, Dr Kopic has decided against this for the time being. He has however suggested that I do try and get the Avastin monoclonal antibody at home (at a cost of 2,000 pounds every 3 weeks). He is going to investigate this with someone he knows in London who may be able to administer it as it is an infusion and I will not be able to have it at my local cancer centre and of course I can't fly out to Germany every 3 weeks for it.
As part of my ongoing treatment, Dr D has suggested a vaccine injection of which I would have 2-3 at a cost of 5,000-6,000 euros per shot!! This vaccine is made up using my blood to instigate my immune system against my tumours. It's official name is Dendritic Cell Therapy. http://www.dendritic.info/
So, the good news is that the bone scan has revealed a slightly regressive disease (ie improvement). It is possible that the lesion on my liver was a tumour but not active previously which is why it was not picked up as cancerous on any other PET scan but now with the evidence of the tumour markers it could be something. Dr D has assured me that there is plenty that can be done if it is found to be cancerous. Will be seeing Dr D and Dr Kopic tomorrow before I leave for the airport to discuss future actions.
It's like a roller coaster, I was on my way back from the MRI scan this morning thinking all was good and then had a big let down. I am still trying to remain positive as ever but the biggest worry is how I am going to afford all this life saving treatment?
Unfortunately when Dr Draczynski had a word with me this afternoon it appears that things aren't quite as rosy as I first thought. He has now had the opportunity to compare the results of the liver ultrasound to those of the last one in May and he said that the lesion (that I already knew about) on my liver has increased in size and believes it to be a suspected liver metastases (tumour). Also to add to this, when I arrived yesterday they took some blood for testing and the tumour marker results have comeback with a big rise in the breast cancer marker CA 15-3. Back in July the result for the CA15-3 was 17 (which has risen steadily from 12 over the last 18 months) but today's result is 41.8. This was a big shock and I am a little worried. What has made it rise so suddenly?
So now Dr D is slightly concerned about this all. The only way to rule out a tumour on the liver is to have a PET scan but the new Oncologist, Dr Kopic has decided against this for the time being. He has however suggested that I do try and get the Avastin monoclonal antibody at home (at a cost of 2,000 pounds every 3 weeks). He is going to investigate this with someone he knows in London who may be able to administer it as it is an infusion and I will not be able to have it at my local cancer centre and of course I can't fly out to Germany every 3 weeks for it.
As part of my ongoing treatment, Dr D has suggested a vaccine injection of which I would have 2-3 at a cost of 5,000-6,000 euros per shot!! This vaccine is made up using my blood to instigate my immune system against my tumours. It's official name is Dendritic Cell Therapy. http://www.dendritic.info/
So, the good news is that the bone scan has revealed a slightly regressive disease (ie improvement). It is possible that the lesion on my liver was a tumour but not active previously which is why it was not picked up as cancerous on any other PET scan but now with the evidence of the tumour markers it could be something. Dr D has assured me that there is plenty that can be done if it is found to be cancerous. Will be seeing Dr D and Dr Kopic tomorrow before I leave for the airport to discuss future actions.
It's like a roller coaster, I was on my way back from the MRI scan this morning thinking all was good and then had a big let down. I am still trying to remain positive as ever but the biggest worry is how I am going to afford all this life saving treatment?
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