Yet Another Visit To The Oncologist

First up, how am I feeling?  Not great actually.  Any activity is a bit of a struggle and I have been getting quite frustrated at the inability of my brain and my body to perform.  But I am actually making about the same progress as last time, particularly when it is is considered that I went into this surgery only a few weeks after the lung surgery, and still affected by the chemotherapy.  There is also another reson, that I found out about today......

Getting to the appointment was a bit of a struggle, I had to get up and shower at the ungodly hour of 8:45 AM.  We took a taxi due to the cold wet weather and the parking problems that continue to exist around the hospital post earthquake.

I had expected the meeting to discuss future treatment options, most likely based on chemo, but Dean (the oncologist) would have none of that.  He said he wanted to think of that in at least a month, once I was in a better stage of recovery.  I was very happy to hear that, I was dreading trying to work out the options and come up with the best result, but he seems really focused on my personal well being, rather than wanting to get his chemistry set out ASAP.

He also gave me a checkup and found that I have significant fluid build up in my right lung.  While is is a fairly normal consequence of my lung surgery, it will be setting my recovery back.  He scheduled a chest X-Ray once I had left him; no doubt the results will be discussed when I meet my liver surgeon for his checkup on Friday.

The oncologist also requested a battery of blood tests, but no CEA.  I asked for a CEA, he added it, but he was not particularly happy about requesting it.  He said that the outcome of the CEA test is irrelevant at this stage and there is no point thinking about, I said I wanted it as I had one about the same time after my other liver surgey and want to compare the results.

On the way out I had the chest X-Ray and blood tests, then got home at 11:45 AM, I was absolutely buggered and had quite a long sleep after lunch.  Feeling OK now after a good sized dinner, but looking forward to sleep tonight.