Another step yesterday, I met the consultant who'll oversee my case, at Medical Oncology. She was very thorough, enquiring what I know about my condition, the treatment, and what is available on top. In addition to the hormone therapy I'm already undertaking there will be additional treatment, in tablet form, to enhance what they are doing. Following that I will start having regular checks on my PSA levels to monitor progress, indeed, they took blood yesterday to kick that off, weighing me as well. Dearly-beloved will be monitoring my blood pressure weekly, as they want that data too.
While I was busy with the vampire my PCNS talked D-b into visiting the Maggie's centre (opened in the summer), and accompanied both of us over there after the clinic appointment. It's an architect's dream, very nicely furnished and laid-out. The perimeter is landscaped and will look stunning when all the trees mature. It reminded me that I actually considered architecture as a career path after my A levels, but the seven years' qualifications put me off.
I mentioned previously that I've always been self-reliant, and D-b has opined this sometimes verges on being un-emotional, very much unlike herself! A bit of the' stiff upper lip', don't you know. I admired the centre as a solid, thoughtfully laid-out facility, and listened carefully to what a staff member told us they could do, the activities and advice available, in the way of support for both sufferer and carer. Personally, I am still unsure what it could bring to my predicament, yet part of me feels it might bring some assistance to my beloved's emotional hurt and anger. Needs more thought.
My next appointment is early December, not long to wait. I have consented to the clinical trials ATLANTA and MATTER, and there's another one apparently, Paradigm (if that's how it's spelled), which I'll have a look into. I expect to know more about the clinical trials soon, because the trials' consultant's secretary rang me while we were still in Maggie's having a brew. Still a deal of uncertainty to iron out then we'll have a framework to plan and work with, hopefully. Hope is a funny concept in these circumstances.
