Back from a check-up at RPA. Just an x-ray this time, rather than a ct scan. A ct scan would provide a detailed look at whether the tumor had grown, shrunk or stayed the same but has a high cost in terms of large radiation exposure. A simple x-ray, with much lower radiation levels, can be used intermittently to check whether obvious significant growth has occurred.
The oncologist took a quick look at the image and pronounced that it “looks like a normal x-ray”. The cancer was not detectable in an x-ray prior to my diagnosis in December, but the fact that it still remains undetectable is certainly good news. At the very least it indicates that the disease has not spread or grown in the lung to the extent that it would be detectable and we can hope that the situation is even a little better than that. More will be revealed in the next check-up in October when another ct scan will be performed.
I had my blood checked by my GP a couple of weeks ago and all indicators, including liver, kidneys, inflammation markers and nutrient levels looked good, except that hemoglobin was a bit low. Consequently I have added an iron supplement to my supplement intake.
Also of note is that my blood pressure has been quite low and we have decided to move to a lower dose of my blood pressure medication (irbesartan), moving from 300mg daily to 150mg daily. This to be evaluated over the next month.
Weight today was 68 kg and a bit. Maybe a couple of kilos down from where it has been recently at around 70kg .
5 responses so far ↓
Margaret Shore // 30, August 2007 at 1:51 pm
Dear Warren, Good to get your health update and to note the positive progress made. This is encouraging for you and also for me on my journey.
Kia kaha
Arohanui
Louise & John Greenall // 3, September 2007 at 11:22 pm
Hi Warren, Thanks for the health update its very encouraging for us. John has just finished his 4th cycle of chemo and is feeling rotten. There is no doubt it gets harder each time. On Monday we go back to Melb. for the all important scan and the decision whether to continue the program.
We seem to be always in the car and sleeping in different beds!
All the very best wishes to you from – us
1
Annie // 4, October 2007 at 5:31 pm
I’ve enjoyed all yr recent updates but this is the most pleasing one.
X-ray shows slight growth « faceache // 4, March 2008 at 9:41 pm
[...] of my regular check-up with the oncologist, shows some slight growth of the tumor compared to the previous picture from late last [...]
Abulhakem // 19, January 2009 at 6:20 pm
no comment