Back from the Hospital

Back from the Marsden after 3 and a half hours and met the Head of the department and registrar.

The tumour has been staged as being stage 3 and T3 N1 M0 (where T is the size on a scale of  0 to 4, N is the spread to lymph nodes on a scale of 0 to 3 and M describes the spread to another part of the body - M0 is no spread and M1 is spread).

Things seems to be shaping up but before I start chemotherapy I have to undergo a number of tests over the next two weeks.  The tests have to be scheduled but they start with a PET scan tomorrow at Baker Street London.

Here's a list

• PET scan (Positron Emission Tomography)
• Lung functions
• EDTA (Kidney test)
• MUGA (Heart scan)
• MRI (Liver scan)
• Laparoscopy
• EUS (Endoscopic ultrasound
• Blood Tests + ECG

There are some question marks over possible spread to the liver and the laparoscopy is also to rule out spread that can't be seen on the original CAT scans from 3rd February.

If these tests are ok then the following should take place in chronological order

• 3 cycles of three weeks of chemotherapy
• Operation 
• Another 3 cycles of three weeks of chemotherapy

So PET scan tomorrow and meeting with Surgeon on Friday.

In the meantime (time permitting) I hope to make a blog entry on the emotional impact that different phases have had on me and my friends and family.  It is this area which differs so much for everybody, but whilst reactions are different the events are the same.