Saw Dr Sanghera, Consultant Clinical Oncologist.
Deb is having some respite from her chemotherapy treatment and her last treatment cycle finished on 29 July.
Today's visit followed Deb's MRI scan (No. 43) on Tuesday 22 August. The following matters were discussed:
1. Great news!!! The tumours had remained the same size as at the last scan.So it appears the cancer has been stopped; at least for the time being. Deb will now stay off the chemo until there is any evidence of progression of the tumours.
2. Dr Sanghera remains concerned about the effect of medication on Deb's brain. We compared the latest scan with the scan taken just after Deb's diagnosis (August 2008). You could see definite shrinkage of the brain including parts not affected by the tumour. I asked about the significance of the shrinkage but Dr Sanghera was unable to be specific as the brain would have shrunk naturally due to ageing. Deb will be referred to a Dr Shurman, a rehabilitation specialist, who will review her overall condition.
3. On looking again at the 2008 scan both Deb and I were shocked at the size of the original tumour. (10cm by 8cm if I remember correctly). It seemed to fill half the head, squeezing the rest of the brain against the skull.
4. Dr Sanghera reviewed Deb's current medication. He thought that she had been on the phenytoin (a drug to prevent seizures) for a long time and Deb has never had a fit. Deb had a blood test to measure current phenytoin levels prior to Dr Sanghera making a decision to gradually get Deb off the drug.
This was a good visit. We will see Dr Sanghera in 3 months time following another scan.
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