8 May 2009 - Update on things medical

Tumour:

Saw Dr Sanghera at QE on 5 May 2009. This was a tiring day. We had a long wait for the blood test, then a long wait for the results. Because of the bank holiday, the clinic was in the Neurosciences outpatient department and not the Cancer Centre. When we got there the waiting room was full and there was another long delay. Appointment was at 10:00 am but saw Dr Sanghera at about 1:00 pm.


Blood test results were good. (WBC = 10.0; RBC = 4.12 [slightly low]; PLT 347). Chemotherapy to be continued on a daily basis for another month. Next MRI scan on 22 May and next appointment with Dr Sanghera on 1 June.


We discussed the fact that the first anniversary of diagnosis of the tumour would be on the 23 May. The statistics for glioblastomas state that the average length of time between diagnosis and relapse is about 15 months. So the anniversary brings mixed feelings: it is good that Deb has been relatively well without effects from the tumour for a whole year but you also worry that time is marching on. Dr Sanghera re-empasised that everyone was different, that an average is only an average and that he was pleased with Deb's progress so far. We discussed Deb's headaches. He told her not to put up with the pain (Deb has a reluctance to take more tablets) and not to hesitate to take paracetamol. If the headaches get worse we could put up the steroid dose but Deb does not want this. I raised the issue of new treatments. I had read on the internet that new treatment therapies for glioblastoma such as Avastin and CPT-11 had shown promising results in trials. Dr S was aware of these. The QE is in the process of obtaining a license to trial Avastin and it is possible that this may be available to Deb if there is a relapse of the tumour.

Osteoporosis:

Deb has been experiencing some back pain and because one of the side effects from the steroids can be osteoporosis our GP arranged a bone density scan. Deb had the scan on 6 May at Good Hope and we got the results from the GP on 19 May. These found that Deb was osteoporotic. The scan result was 2.6 (anyone with a result of more than 2 is deemed to be at risk from osteoporosis). The doctor has put Deb on biphosphonate tablets (one per week) and calcium tablets.

Cardiology:

Following Deb's ECGs taken during a palpitation, we saw the cardiologist ( Dr Shui Hao) at Good Hope on 8 May. We discussed whether the beta blockers were working. Deb has had further palpitations but these have been mild and of short duration. Deb's heart rate is already slow and the doctor was reluctant to increase the dose. If the palpitations continue we may have to change the medication (or have a small operation!). Deb is to return to Good Hope on the 3 June for an ultrasound scan of the heart and wear a 24 hour monitor before any further decisions are made. All this is a bit of a pain. It has nothing to do with the tumour, is not life threatening and something Deb has lived with for 20 years. Is it really worth all this effort?