Hi All,
I had my CT scan a couple of weeks ago and saw my consultant last week for the results.
It was a bit confusing as I have recently moved hospital as services were centralised. I was under Scarborough and had a scan there six months ago. Three months ago I was moved to Hull and had my scans there. However, because it is more convenient for me they have arranged for me to be continued to be scanned at Scarborough so I returned there for my last one.
I am also on a trial as to how to take my meds so usually take it for two scans (six months) and if it has shrunk enough and is stable I get a break. In the past this break has been until the next scan (three months) and if it has grown again I go back on my meds. My last break the tumours had not grown as much so I had a six month break before I had to go back on the meds.
That was at the scan in Scarborough six months ago. When I had my scan in Hull three months ago they were not able to get a copy of the Scarborough scan so could not compare it but simply gave the measurements ( but in a slightly different format) This time they had the scan in Scarborough and could not compare it to the Hull scan but had to compare it to the scan from six months ago in Scarborough. According to this the tumours are stable which is good but it is the first time that I have not had a reduction after six months of treatment. I am continuing on my meds and will see what the scan says in three months. I will be chatting with the research nurse as well to make sure that all the scans are available for comparison next time as I suspect that they will want this for the trial research as well.
My bloods were taken at Hull an hour before I saw the Oncologist and were not ready for my appointment. Previously I could have them taken at my local GP surgery one or two days before and they were always available at my appointment. Apparently this cannot be arranged for the hospital at Hull.
I know that the change has been made slightly more complicated by the coronavirus but it was as a consequence of budget constraints not the virus that caused the changes in the first place. I hope that things improve as I am not impressed with the consequences of the change so far.
I am genuinely happy that the cancer is stable and still have hopes that it might respond better in the next three months but am finding it frustrating that a system that was working well was changed for the benefit of the budget rather than my health and I have not been as well served by the medical services since.
I hope that everyone else is doing well and is managing to find their way about the new site OK. I find that I am OK when using my laptop but not quite so happy with it when I try to use it on my mobile. It would be good to hear from a few people just to know that you are still able to get onto the site and use it.
All the best,
Gragon x
