Item 1) The letter from Dr S that was written on 4th May arrived in the post. I'd already picked up a copy from the GP, as they'd had it for two weeks! It's very brief, summarising the MRI report as 'no new lesions'. Interestingly Dr S the GI informs me I will be monitored by 6 monthly AFP tumour marker tests - which I am, but not by him; he hasnt been involved in my care now for a year.
Item 2) Photocopy of the clinical report written on 24th April, summarising the MRI itself. Written by a Dr T, diagnostic hepatobilliary radiographer with a speciality in GI tract oncology. Wow, that sounds impressive.
Dr T used as a comparison the scan taken in August 2010, when the HCC tumour was in situ. I've had 3 CTscans since then but he didnt seem to look at those, even though 'surveillance' is meant to be a check every 6 months.
From what I can translate from the 'medspeak', the area round the resected tumour is fine, with nothing showing as abnormal. I'm not entirely sure if that applies to the rest of the liver, but have to assume it does.
He seems to have looked mainly at the liver around the site of the resection, noting that most of the segment where the tumour was found, remains. So it sounds like hardly any liver had to be removed during surgery, and what has regrown around the tumour site is healthy.
The conclusion states: 'effective resection of segment 3 HCC'. So I'm not entirely sure if it's a report on the overall health of the entire liver, or just the state of the resected area 2 years after surgery.
Something to ask when I see the surgeon in June.
Just waiting for item number 3). A new appointment with heppydoc in time for refills of Tenofovir. I've written a letter, sent an email, and rung twice, but so far no response.
Edit: new appointment now made. Guess what, its the same date and time of the appointment cancelled by the book-in clerk back in March - June 25th!
ONWARDS AND UPWARDS - a diagnosis and treatment of Hepatocellular carcinoma (primary liver cancer) diagnosed August 2010, presumed caused by 30+ years of chronic hepatitis B. And a search for how to be healthy living with cirrhosis presumed caused by Autoimmune hepatitis (diagnosed April 2011)
Fiona,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on finally receiving your reports. We'll hope that since they didn't mention any new problems you are in the clear. It would be nice if they would mention if they had looked at the rest of the liver. That was the nice thing about Steve's incisional hernia. The surgeon looked at everything he could while he was in there anyway and said he didn't see anything else that concerned him. It was nice to get that feedback a year and a half after his original surgery to remove the tumor.
Good luck with scheduling your appointment.
Best Wishes,
Carla
Thanks Carla.
ReplyDeleteAfter a morning spent with heppy doc's number on re-dial, I finally got through to the secretary. Who said she had put me into a June clinic again.
She said appointments are like 'gold dust', which they are. So why was mine cancelled by them if it was so precious!?
Here Steve and I find ourselves, a year and a half post surgery, and it feels like lots of other cancer bloggers have gone 'down', with us 2 remaining.
Amen, Fiona. It is so heartrending... that we are losing so many wonderful people to such an ugly disease. I'm glad you are still around! I just wish a few more had made it for their friends and families sakes. I'm glad you were able to get your appointment set up again. Have a great weekend, you should be able to relax and enjoy it now : )
ReplyDeleteCarla