21 June 2010 - Appointment at Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Sorry I have not updated the blog for a while. Since the last post Deb has seen Dr Sanghera for a routine appointment (24th May) and has continued with the continuous chemotherapy. During this time Deb has had an increasing number of dizzy spells and bouts of feeling sick. She has also suffered from a number of headaches.

On the 18th June Deb had the 10th MRI scan of her tumour since her radiotherapy treatment.
The scan took place at the New Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. The new scanner was twice as powerful as the old scanner (3 tesla - a unit of magnetic flux density - instead of 1.5).

Deb saw Dr Sanghera and Claire Goddard (Clinical Nurse Specialist) on Monday 21st June at the 'old' QE to have blood tests and get the results of the scan. The results of the blood tests were good with all readings within the normal range. The results of the scan were not so good. The low grade parts of the tumour had stayed the same size but the higher grade elements (ie the white patches on the screen) had progressed. Dr Sanghera had measured the relevant parts of the tumour and although growth was slow it was still occurring. This news was disappointing as it meant that the tumour was not responding to the resumed chemotherapy treatment as hoped.

Dr Sanghera said Deb's case would be discussed at the Multidisciplinary Team Meeting tomorrow (Tuesday 22nd June) to get a second opinion on the scan findings and to consider further options including surgery and a change to the chemotherapy regime. (The most likely option is PCV which consists of 3 different drugs - Procarbazine/Lomustine(CCNU)/Vincristine. One of these drugs is delivered intravenously and all can have significant side effects including lower blood cell counts, feeling and being sick, flu like symptoms and CNS effects (ie depression, anxiety).

Claire is to ring tomorrow after the meeting to tell us what was discussed. If it is decided not to make a change, Deb is to continue with the temozolomide for a further month and Dr Sanghera prescribed more tablets. Next scan is due in 2 months time.

This meeting was different from previous meetings we have had with Dr Sanghera. Normally they are light-hearted and informal. This meeting was different; the tone was sombre and serious. This as much as what was said made us realise that the options are running out.