Blood Test and Consultant's Appointment

We had to go to the oncology department at the hospital for 9.20 this morning as Carol is about to start the 7th chemotherapy cycle on Monday. Fortunately there wasn't a problem parking although the barrier was raised so we had to take a parking ticket. Those barriers seem to be effected by cold weather. A considerably warmer day, though. It was a good thing we got to oncology early because Carol was called in for the usual blood test and weighing as well as all the obs they do before the chemotherapy begins.  Arriving early does have an advantage. We walked down to the Friends shop for something to drink and eat, as Carol was saying she had a nasty taste in her mouth (part of the side-effects of chemo.) We got a Fry's chocolate mint and orange drink and then walked back to the Macmillan unit. Carol was due to have a consultant's appointment at 10 o'clock but we had quite a considerable wait. It was full of other patients. She was eventually called into the office at about 10.20. The scan she had about two weeks ago shows the cancer is shrinking considerably. A very positive response. The chemotherapy will continue (as we've reached half way. Meaning there are six more cycles to go.) The surgeons will meet next Thursday and then decide what options are open as regards surgery. We walked back to tell one of the nurses in oncology the news. They are so lovely and helpful in there. Generally, everyone we meet in the hospital, from nurses, doctors, surgeons and so on, so friendly and positive. You really can't fault them. They do a really amazing job, considering the work-load they have to endure.

We left the carpark and intended going to Waitrose for a coffee and cake as a sort of celebration. On arrival, we saw a long queue in the café, so didn't bother with the coffee and cake. We did some shopping and then came home.

Later in the evening we got a phone call from the oncology department. Apparently the blood test has shown something (which I don't understand properly) which shows up that Carol isn't producing something which will mean Monday's chemotherapy session will need to be cancelled and shifted to the following week, no doubt once whatever it is has been detected in her blood. A bit of a disappointment, but it's not a problem. It would mean that if the chemotherapy went ahead, any bacteria or whatever wouldn't be destroyed if she was to become ill. Which, at this half-way stage of the treatment would be quite dangerous.