Scans

 

This week has been nothing short of busy.  On Tuesday I got a phone call inviting me to a PET CT scan at Southmead hospital.  I agreed an appointment the following day.  I then got a phone call advising me of a blood test at the BHOC on Friday.  Lastly I received a letter advising me of an appointment for an MRI scan that very day (which I had missed).  I spent a frustrating time trying to call the correct department.  Eventually it was agreed that I would attend on Saturday.  Prior to my blood test on Friday I was phoned by the trials team and given the excellent news that I have been accepted into the trial, that I have a clinic appointment in June (at which I will sign my consent) and an apheresis appointment (at which my T-cells will be harvested) the following day.  I am checking to see whether the latter appointment indicates whether I have already been randomised onto Arm B of the trial or whether this is simply a reservation. (Arm A is traditional chemotherapy whilst Arm B is the CAR-T cell therapy)

PET CT Scanner - Click to enlarge

I have previous experience of a PET CT scan also at Southmead Hospital.  The procedure involves being injected with a mildly radioactive marker and then waiting about a hour for it to circulated around the body.  I then had to lie on a (very hard and flat) table which then moves into the scanner.  Two images are generated  The first is the PET (Positron Emission Tomography) whereby the various tissues in the body can be examined.  It is my experience that the sites of cancer growth can often be identified.  

The second image is the CT (Computed Tomography) which produces cross-sectional images of the body in far greater detail than standard x-ray images.

MRI Scanner - Click to enlarge

I have also had an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan in the past.  The obvious benefit  is the lack of x-ray radiation.  For those who suffer from claustrophobia it can be unpleasant as the scanner is very noisy and it is in the form of a tunnel.  MRI is, however, especially good at imaging the bones.  Yet again a had to lie on a very hard and flat table.

I understand that the results of the two scans and the blood test will be discussed at next week’s Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) meeting.  Hopefully from that will be a decision if I need any immediate treatment. Just to keep me on my toes, when I got home from Friday’s blood test I was phoned to advise me of an appointment for a Bone Marrow Biopsy.  This will be my ninth.  I’ll leave you to look up the procedure elsewhere ! I’ve also received a further appointment, the details of which I don’t understand but it may be for radiotherapy – oh joy, that might involve two hard and flat tables: one for calibration, one for treatment.

Notable is how quickly I have received tests given the pressure on the health service.  I’m also so very fortunate to live at a time when such advanced technologies are available and, through the NHS, free of charge.

 Sometimes the hurdles aren’t really hurdles at all.
They’re welcome challenges, tests
Paul Walker

Keep safe, keep well and KBO

Stephen