SCC again!

After a couple of falls during the week and my legs collapsing under me on Wednesday last it was obvious my legs were getting rapidly weaker. So I contacted the Macmillan nurse to say I was worried that the weakness might be caused by spinal chord compression (SCC). She contacted the palliative care consultant and a GP at the health centre. Between them they decided I should go to A&E to get it checked out. The GP organised an ambulance to take me.

After a thorough examination the A&E doctor agreed that SCC looked very likely and managed to arrange an MRI scan that afternoon for confirmation. The scan showed that there were areas above and below where the last SCC was that looked suspicious. The doctor than arranged for palliative radio therapy to the spine to be given the next day at the Christie hospital and I was admitted to Stepping Hill.


I'd had attended the oncologist's clinic on the 6th July and had mentioned the leg weakness to the doctor that saw me (not the actual consultant). She gave me a brief examination but did not hint at the possibility of SCC being a possible cause. I find that disappointing because if SCC had been checked out then there would have been a better prognosis as the SCC would not have been so severe.


I was transferred to the Christie after breakfast. As there were two places on the spine to treat it was not initially clear whether both places could be done on the same day or whether I'd need to stay at the Christie overnight and have the second place done the next day. In the event both sites were treated that afternoon and (after a long wait) I was transferred back to Stepping Hill.


After a good night's sleep Thursday night, I awoke on the Friday morning to find that I had recovered some strength and movement in my legs. So the RT and steroid medicine had had an effect. Good oh! Later that morning I had a chat with a physiotherapist and occupational therapist. I was able to demonstrate that I could transfer from the bed to the bedside chair with the use of a walker for support. So my legs can support me again with help from my arms, although going any distance with the walker is probably not on yet. The OT measured me up for a wheelchair. She will also make a home visit to see what else might be needed before it would be safe for me to go home.


It looks like I will be in Stepping Hill for a few more days. The ward doctor has arranged for the spinal specialist to see me, probably after the weekend. Hopefully the specialist will be able to tell me how much more, if any, improvement I'm likely to see. I shall then be able to plan accordingly. As things are at the moment my wife will have more to do to look after me and my mobility will be more restricted.

Ooops

I missed out an important piece of information - PSA count is down from 236 to 156. So the revised hormone therapy seems to be working.

Too long

I have left it far too long since the last entry. It always seemed like it would be worth waiting a day or two to include something extra. A big mistake. Now I don't remember all that I was going to include and will be summarising stuff as well as I can.

I had another meeting with the palliative care consultant. He tweaked my pain killers a bit - cutting out the patch and doubling the dose of the Oxycontin. This led to a problem with the repeat prescription for the latter - too soon since the last one. I had to ring the health centre to remind them that the dose had been doubled (they had been advised) and to their credit the problem was quickly resolved. We decided that for the time being it would be best for the MacMillan nurse to monitor my pain management only including the palliative care consultant if needed.

I also had an appointment at the oncology department but I saw a registrar rather than the consultant. I told her that the requested palliative radiation to my right buttock bone would not be needed as the pain killers had removed the problem. Next appointment in six months.

A couple of weeks ago I had problems with my water works again. I was needing to pass water every 45-60 minutes but only managed a short trickle. I had a very poor Thursday night and saw the emergency doctor Friday afternoon. He prescribed Tamsulosin hydrochloride which seems to have sorted out both the flow and frequency problems. A potential side-effect is fluid retention in the bladder after a while.

Although my pain is under control and I am getting better night's sleep my legs seem to be getting weaker. My mobility is even more restricted. I'm even thinking in terms of a zimmer frame! Certainly I'll be looking out for a riser chair as getting up from the sofa, even with an extra cushion, is getting harder.

I started on an eight week course at a local cancer support centre - Beechwood - on Thursday. If nothing else it gets me out of the house meeting people and gives Julie some time to herself. Looking forward to the next meeting.