Bone Scan and Hip X-Ray

Had both the Bone scan and Hip X-Ray today but will have to wait for the results at my next Onc appointment on 18th June.

Onc appointment

Dr Barrett is still not back to work, so saw yet another Registrar, Dr Dallas. I had met her approximately 2 years ago and she is very nice and easy to talk to. She looked through my notes and said that they have agreed to start me on the Xeloda chemo but first it would be a good idea to have the results from the Bone scan which is tomorrow and also she suggested a hip x-ray.

I asked about the MUC-1 test but she did not have any details about this and preferred to wait and speak with the Registrar I saw on my previous visit to see if she had done anything about it. She wasn't sure if it was a test that could be done in Reading or whether they would have to send the tissue sample to Germany!

All in all I suppose there was progress today although I have to say that I asked for the Xeloda chemo 3 months ago (27/2/08) and I've still got to wait another 3 weeks.

Had the Avastin only today but I still spent over 4 hours at the hospital for a 15 minute consultation and a 30 minute infusion.

Fund raising

There's a lot of activity in terms of fund raising at the moment.

17th June - Summer Lunch
25th June - Charity Golf competition at Mapledurham Golf Club
29th June - Family Sponsored Walk
27th July - Family Funday, Prince of Wales, Caversham
25th October - "The Best Disco in Town"

Bone Scan appointment

Got an appointment through today for a bone scan at the Berks on May 29th. Typical that I've got an Onc appointment and now a bone scan during half term week.

3rd Faslodex

Had the 3rd Faslodex injection at the GP surgery today in my left butt cheek which always seems to hurt more than the right side .

Onc Appointment

Went along to my usual Oncology appointment with a list of questions received from the Leonardis Klinik.

I wanted to ask for a bone scan as I have been complaining about my left hip aching and getting referred pain down the left leg. A check for the MUC-1 receptor on the tumour specimen from original tumour removed in 2001. Also to start on Capecitabine to keep the disease stabalised.

Dr Barrett is still off so I saw her Registrar who has changed yet again. Dr Chadwick (previous Registrar) has gone back to Oxford which is a shame as I really liked him and he was really interested in what I had been doing with Germany. Funnily enough though, the new Registrar is German!

Anyway, she had read my notes before speaking with me and knew that I had been receiving treatment in Germany. I made all of the above requests, but, as usual with the Berks you don't get any answers straightaway unless you're talking to the Oncologist. The Registrar took all the details and said that she would ask Dr Barrett and I'd have my answers at the next appointment in three weeks which incidentally wouldn't be with her because she was going to be on holiday!

Had the Avastin and Pamidronate today.

Feeling better

Things seem to be looking up and I'm feeling much better than I have in a long time. I seem to have lost some weight in the last month and have dropped from 64k to 62k. My hip and leg aren't nearly as bad as they were either.

I've been in touch with the Leonardis Klinik and they think it would be a good idea to have a bone scan as I have been complaining that my left hip has been aching. It would be good to know if the tumours in the bones are still stable.

Also the Leonardis Klinik have asked for a special test to be run on my original tumour tissue removed in 2001. The test is looking for a special gene called MUC1. Dr Kopic at the Leonardis says that if the test proves positive, there is another immune therapy that he would like to add to my treatment plan. I'll have to see how receptive the RBH are about these requests!