18 January 2010 - Appointment at QE Hospital

Sutton Park in the snow

Visited QE on 18th January for routine monthly appointment with oncologist. (Appointment was originally on 11th but was postponed for a week. Deb was therefore without chemotherapy for a week. When she queried this, she was told it did not matter if she missed a week! This sort of remark undermines your confidence in the treatment.) We saw Dr Petit again (Dr Sanghera's registrar). Dr Sanghera was on an 'induction course'. He's already been at the hospital for over a year and then has to go on a mandatory 3 week course to ensure he is fully informed of the hospital trust's policies.

Deb's blood test results were good and she was given another month's supply of chemotherapy.

Deb asked Dr Petit if she could further reduce her steroid dose. Dr Petit agreed that she could reduce to 1.5 mg (from 2 mg) for 2 weeks and if she felt OK could then reduce to 1.0 mg. If Deb starts to get any serious headaches she is to contact Fred or Claire and put the steroid dose back up. If this reduction is successful Deb may be referred to an endocrinologist to see if she can transfer from her current steroid (dexamethazone) to hydrocortisone. Hydrocortisone is not as effective as dexamethazone but is closer to the natural steroid produced by the body and may have less side effects.

Deb has been suffering from some acute back pain. The doctor was concerned this may be due to osteoporosis of bones in the spine and is to arrange for Deb to have an MRI scan of her back.

Also discussed severe gastric pain Deb gets from taking osteoporosis tablets. Deb had already discussed this with our GP said she should stop the treatment for a few weeks and has given her different medication to try and reduce the problem. Dr Petit said Deb should double the dose of her gastro-resistant medication (taken with the steroids) if the problem persists.

After seeing the doctor, we stayed at the hospital for a meeting of the West Midlands Brain Tumour Support group. This was our first meeting at the hospital and we did have a couple of new members turn up. Our guest speaker talked about laughter therapy. We had to stand in a circle and do various 'laughs'. This is supposed to make you feel better (I'd go along with that) and boost your immune system (a dubious claim if you ask me).