We have two appointments today at Southampton General.
The first is scheduled for 1:15pm – Pre-Assessment C Brain Operation, I do believe that is at the Neurology Department.
The second is to meet Mr Grundy at 2:30pm – Neurological Outpatients Southampton.
We are hoping for positive news that he can reach the tumour and be able to operate. I looked up Mr Grundy online and it seems he is a top surgeon in his field (hope he's OK in the operating theatre too). He specialises in wide-awake brain surgery, I'm quite glad he will be awake. I feel very optimistic about this meeting but there is a little trepidation.
Just been told by Lucinda, that she has put some more vanilla ice cream on (no, not wearing it, although if it wasn't so cold, I could) – so I will be looking forward to that later, I can tell you.
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| Side View. |
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| I thought those headaches were getting worse. |
Great (if very scary) news!!
I had the meeting with the surgeon Mr Grundy and he can get to the tumour – he can operate. I had the pre-op earlier today so all is set.
The tumour is big and he can't do it while I am awake. I am quite glad about that as I bet it would tickle a bit).
I thought that if he could operate, it would be in a few weeks at least but I'm having it done next week. I was speechless...
When I said "Next week...!",
He said, "If I leave it any longer you won't be here to operate on."
It's a really close timeline – without the operation I have a few weeks left – maybe eight weeks. He said he hasn't even time to even take biopsies.
There are risks besides the obvious not getting through the op - there is a high risk of me going blind in my left eye, possibly both, fits, epilepsy. But as Mr Grundy said, "You can turn down the operation if you don't like the risks but the worst one will then definitely happen and soon."
It all sounds bad but Mr Grundy is the top NHS brain surgeon in this country. The BBC and Channel 4 have both made documentaries about him. He said I'll never be cancer free and this is all palliative treatment but I'll take that. They can't get all the tiny cancer cells from my bloodstream but I've known that since 2010. He can't make me any better than I am now but he thinks he can get the tumour out in one go which should stop these symptoms getting worse.
I have tomorrow off then we go to Southampton on Thursday for a planner MRI head scan. I should get an actual date any day now.
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| Top down view showing tumour & some of the swelling caused by it. |
I could add a few jokes about the wearing of the ice cream upon a sweet canvas, no not yours but enough said, this brain tumour operation and the straight to the point discussion with your surgeon brings home the seriousness of everything that you have and are going through. in hindsight I know that your operation went well but the horrors of knowing the harsh truths must be, if not for better words, mind blowing.
ReplyDeleteI can't even think how I would react to such things and then there is you, pushing ahead and showing your bravery with every step taken. I have read your FB today and know that you are not able to have the next surgery because of the closeness to the main artery, but you are so upbeat my fine friend, and there are still ways to fight this cancer.
Chemo and radiotherapy sound as awful as anything to do with this illness but it is something that will keep you fighting, it's not going to be an easy road to travel but you already know this, just know that I am thinking about you and Lucinda and that I wish you well Stew.
Gray Dawster, Andro Vampy and Me :)