no MRI, it turns out
As soon as I got to the MRI unit and I mentioned the stent, from wanting them to check again that it was non-magnetic, I was asked when it was inserted. Two weeks ago. They immediately said that they won't do an MRI until six weeks after any surgery. I argued that just shoving that down my throat was hardly surgery, but they were adamant - the MRI can agitate tissue and shift it, apparently. Clearly the oncology registrar didn't know this rule, but when he talked to them about the stent, or when I checked again about it when they rang to give me the appointment (and the presumably-receptionist ringing did put me on to someone else about this), why did they not bring it up? I'm very annoyed. They did do a CT scan instead, but the registrar had clearly regarded that as a poor substitute. I really hope it reveals the useful things, i.e. if there is a small tumour around the top of the spine trapping a nerve. I need help with this, as it is causing me a lot of pain, ruining my ability to rest and sleep and relax, among other bad effects.
I have no idea why, given that I have been eating and drinking better than for ages, but I am weakening badly the last few days (I imagine my various visitors yesterday could see something of this). It was a major effort just getting into the taxi, for instance, and getting on the table for the scan was really hard and slow. I wasn't sure for a few moments if I could make it up the stairs to my flat without needing to sit down for a while and rest. If this is down to the cancer, and I suppose everything is, directly or indirectly, these days, I can't imagine what new tumours could simply cause such weakness.
I go for an oncology appointment tomorrow. I really hope the scan reveals something treatable (they are talking a one-off radiation zapping if there is a cervical spine tumour), and they can work out something about this weakness.
I have no idea why, given that I have been eating and drinking better than for ages, but I am weakening badly the last few days (I imagine my various visitors yesterday could see something of this). It was a major effort just getting into the taxi, for instance, and getting on the table for the scan was really hard and slow. I wasn't sure for a few moments if I could make it up the stairs to my flat without needing to sit down for a while and rest. If this is down to the cancer, and I suppose everything is, directly or indirectly, these days, I can't imagine what new tumours could simply cause such weakness.
I go for an oncology appointment tomorrow. I really hope the scan reveals something treatable (they are talking a one-off radiation zapping if there is a cervical spine tumour), and they can work out something about this weakness.