Deb and I outside the trulli in Puglia, Southern Italy
My apologies. it is 6 months since the last post and my only excuse is that nothing much has changed. This is GREAT NEWS. Deb continues to be well. The tumour is dormant and is showing no signs of further growth. To bring you up to date:
Medical Matters
1 Visited the QEH today for an appointment with Dr Sanghera. Since the last post Deb has had 2 MRI scans (on 18 May and 31 August. Scans 20 & 21 since RT). Both scans show no tumour growth. It is now over a year since Deb stopped taking chemotherapy and throughout this time the tumour has been stable with no signs of progression.
2 As mentioned in the last post, Deb has come off her steroid medication. She finally stopped on 5 May 2012. Dexamethazone, the synthetic steroid Deb was taking, is 26 times more potent than the naturally occurring steroid - cortisol. It is taken by those with brain tumours to reduce oedema but has the side effect of blocking the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. (The HPA regulates many body processes including digestion, the immune system, mood and emotions and energy storage and expenditure.) So it is good to see Deb back to her normal self.
3 The only medication Deb is still taking related to her brain tumour is phenytoin to prevent seizures. Deb has not had any 'episodes' for over a year and although Dr Sanghera recommended that Deb keep taking the drug he thought she could reapply for her driving license (taken from her at diagnosis).
4 Next appointment and MRI scan is in 3 months.
Other Matters
12/03 Attended 'Medicine and Me' Brain Tumour Conference.
19-23/03 Holiday in the Gower, South Wales
14-18/05 Visit to Kay and Mike in Aberaeron, S. Wales
13/05 Villa narrowly avoid relegation from the Premiership
27/05 100 mile cycle event around Norwich.
06/06 Renewed Villa season tickets for 2012/13.
12-19/06 Holiday in Puglia, Southern Italy.
22/07 Bradley Wiggins wins the Tour de France
21-23/08 Visit to Chris and Syd in Weymouth.
