Home again

I went into the hospital last Monday afternoon for the thigh operation on the Tuesday. The operation went well and the thigh pain has gone. I'm already up and about. I have been provided with a stick but don't need it all of the time. My main problem with walking is the numbness in my right foot is my main impediment to walking now.

My meeting with the oncologist on Thursday didn't happen. I was not given an appointment for his clinic so expected him to visit me at my bed. This did not happen despite prompts from the ward nurses. The numbness in my foot had spread from the toes to above my ankle and as I believed this to be a result of the spinal cord compression (SCC) I wanted attention to this problem to be dealt with promptly. The hospital based MacMillan nurse and one of the orthopaedic team doctors contacted another oncologist at the Christie hospital. He checked the MRI scan and booked me in for attention the next day.

I was ready for transporting to the Christie at 07:00 as requested but was not actually moved until 08:45. The appointment at the Christie was at 09:15 and I arrived at the Radiation reception at 09:10. I did not actually get seen until about 10:45. I was checked over and quizzed by on of the oncologist team members and later by a consultant. It was decided that as I was mobile I'd have four radiation treatment instead of just one. I assume that the four treatments will be at lower power to reduce and side effects. The consultant did not think that the numbness in my right foot is associated with the SCC as he'd expect the SCC to affect both lower limbs. Thus the finding of the SCC has been rather serendipitous and caught early. This is good because the radiation treatment will stop the SCC getting worse but will not reverse it. I was then marked up for the treatment and dosed with steroids and anti-sickness medicine before receiving the treatment. Once those had been given time to take effect I was the given the first session of radiation treatment. The next three will be given on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday next week.

I was then transported back to the local hospital. I'd now missed lunch but the nurses sent down for a cool bag - sandwich plus some odds and ends. The nurses checked with the doctor and it was agreed that I could go home once the new medications had been sorted. These new medications are a stronger steroid plus different steroids and anti sickness medicine to be taken before each radiation session. I was given the first dose of the steroid and another dose for today. The sister said she'd make out a prescription for the rest and send it to the pharmacy for collection today. As of this morning she had not done so but it is with the pharmacy now and should be back to the ward soon.

Edit: Son was able to pick up the medicines this afternoon

Apart from the blip with the medicines Things are looking pretty good. I'm not sure what will be happening with the Zometa infusions because Zometa can slow down bone healing and my thigh needs to heal. No doubt I'll find out soon. I want the Zometa treatment so start off again as soon as it is safe to do so. I don't want the bone pain to come back.