Health Update (Brware)

Health Update August 29th

Had a terrible day today – probably worst so far. Fortunately this was the day for me to see the Consultant at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital so I was able to give a full report

Woke up early with terrific headache which would not respond to my usual medicine. Then had nausea which eventually evolved into sickness. Also had all the usual array of aches and pains. I also have an array of medicines but none were effective. It has beeen a long time since I hung out of a car door to be sick at the side of the road - usually for a more easily understood reason.

Saw the consultant in the afternoon (a different one again – Dr Johnson this time!). I explained My Situation and he quickly decided that I had been taken off the steroids too soon. (fortunately for him this agreed with Sara’s diagnosis). He has put me back on steroids but an increased dose for a longer time, I also have to take what my GP calls ‘tummy protectors’ to reduce possible side effects of the steroids. When we got home Sara terlephoned the surgery. My GP rang back within 5 minutes. Sara explained the ituation and my GP immediately generated the necessary prescription. This was collected by the local pharmacy and we were able to collect the medicine this morning.

Dr Johnson said that in his opinion my problems were caused by the malignant melanoma. He said this is pressing on the back of my brain and the pressure will cause headaches, tiredness, confusion, lack of concentration and nausea. There may be some specific problems but they are hard to predict. I need to be wary of problems with eyesight, hearing, balance. He gave me a very detailed examination checking eyes, ears etc. I was very impressed by his attention to detail and his laow reliance on electronic evidence although, to be fair, he had clearly read the notes and did not keep asking me to rehearse what they said.
He also said that the purpose of the Radiotherapy was to shrink the melanoma or slow its growth. Whether that has been successful will become clear over several months rather than weeks and the evidence will be if I experience less of the problems listed above.
He argued that the radiotherapy would lead to symmetrical pains - both ears not just one for example - good point, I thought.

He sent me for a blood test and I am to see him again in three months time. I also have an appointment with a different consultant on October 10. If I am still having problems I can ring his secretary for an appointment at any time.

For those desperate for a Poppy story. While I was waiting to go to Shrewsbury she jumped on my lap and left a trail of foot prints across my shirt. The consultant spotted the footprints when he was examining me and then we had a big discussion about what sort of dog she is and I now know that he has Golden Retrievers at home!