Things are moving forward

My last entry had me feeling a little down in the mouth so to speak. I had just been given the news that I had at least one tumour in my liver.

On further investigation it was found that I had two which were growing at a very fast rate and had become so large that I was no longer a candidate for surgery of any sort including a transplant.
Since then I have had two sessions of chemo-embolization to treat the tumours. About 4 weeks ago I had a CT scan which produced some good results. The largest tumour which grew to the size of a good sized grapefruit (Around the 15cm area) has now been shrunk to just 8mm and the second tumour has shrunk from 12cm to just 2mm in size.

My AFP readings have now dropped from the high hundreds to just 23 which is well below the baseline readings from blood tests taken when I was first referred to King's College Hospital liver unit. The doctors appear to be very please with my results.

I am now just waiting for a decision on what they are planning to do next. Do they give me another dose of chemo-embolization, monitor to see if the tumours regrow or do they operate to remove what is left.

I was supposed to have been informed by phone on the day the bombs went off in London so it is no suprise that as of today I have not been informed although the doctor did try to contact me on the Friday following the bombing but my job means that a lot of the time I am out of the office and I missed the call. The doctors are so busy I have been unable to contact them, so I shall just have to await the letter or my next OPD appointment on the 16th August to find out what has been decided.

If anyone else out there is due for chemo-embolization and is worried about it, take it from me although there can be some pain and discomfort during and after the treatment, if your treatment is as successful as mine was it is well worth it. If you need anymore info just comment on this BLOG and I will give more.