The Formalities

A bit of a frenetic day, but things are getting calmer.

The endoscopic ultrasound is tomorrow, so "nil by mouth" after bedtime tonight.  I believe that I will get something that is close to a full anaesthetic, but isn't, so I should be home shortly after lunchtime.

I've delivered a letter the hospital detailing the issues that I would like to discuss when I get together with Oncology next week.  Although that might seem a little formal, I think it important that I get the most out of my last consultation before I start chemotherapy and it will just act as a backdrop for what will ultimately be an informal conversation.

I have been told informally that chemotherapy will start next Thursday, 25th March.  The timing is slightly unfortunate because it is just before Kitten's birthday on the 27th.  Perhaps we' ll celebrate before.

So, assuming tomorrow goes ahead, it will be good to finally know what cards I have in my hand.  Monday's meeting will tell me that.  I'll know how many rounds of chemotherapy I am "in for" before the operation and I will also decide whether or not I will participate in the ST03 clinical trial.  However, assuming that I take part in the trial, I am not sure when I will find out whether I will be in the control group or the bevacizumab (Avastin) group.

Perhaps it will be when the needle goes in!