A medical update for those interested

[Postdog]

I haven't been on here apart from odd dips for ages.

As some people know, I have a brain tumour. I had an operation last November to remove it, but this couldn't be done because it wasn't the sort of tumour they hoped it it would be, and to even try and remove it that way would have done me more damage. On the bright side they did discover that it wasn't cancerous, just slowly growing.

I thought I was due for another operation in January (I assumed a full skull opening job rather than through the nose) but this was a hospital error, and I wasn't. Since then it's been further tests and scans, and at last I am going to get some treatment for it (it has only taken over a year since being discovered).

Unfortunately that treatment is only to stop it growing any larger, so how it is affecting me now is likely to remain (muscle weakness, balance problems, unable to walk far, occasional shakes and sometimes blurry vision) but on the other hand if the treatment works (a drug) I shouldn't get any worse. It won't shrink what is there already, and I don't know if it could be removed by surgery or any other way as yet, but I suppose it's something. In theory it is possible that unless stopped it will just grow and could have left me with permanent worse problems.

Mind you, how I am at the moment could be made worse by another medical condition I have, so maybe once that is sorted, I will actually start to feel a bit better - I've avoided hospitals all my life but in the space of six months I have been in three times. Maybe a fourth time if, as I suspect, something in me needs cutting out, which I am hoping to find out tomorrow.

Treatment for the other starts in a couple of weeks.

[skybluefred]

Best Wishes for tomorrow and for your treatment on your growth.

[NOX]

Hey Postie, glad to hear they are finally getting more of a handle on it for you and that they are doing something proactive. Stay strong and calm my friend and may health and happiness come to you.

[boxtops]

Best wishes postdog - let us know how you get on x

[tamborine]

All the best for 2moro Postie, x

[Prudie]

I really admire you postdog, you are being so brave. Really hope all goes well for you tomorrow and in the coming weeks.

[lady-janine]

thank you for keeping us up-to-date postie. wishing you all the best for the coming treatment.

[Ann]

All the best Postdog, thinking of you x

[Andyvon]

Best wishes for tomorrow Postdog. At least you can take comfort in knowing you are in the best possible hands. You also have the support and wishes of many people here and around you.

[silliemillie]

Fingers Crossed for you Postdog,
Thought I hadnt seen you name come up recently.
You were one of the kind people who answered my 1st post when i was in a state & gave very good advice which I really appreciated.
Blessings to you.

Millie

[DaisyNonna]

All the best Post. Will be thinking of you. You are being so positive, keep going!

[askyourgran]

Hi Postie, hope all goes well for you. x

[Carakeel]

Postdog, so sorry to hear about your brain tumour. So glad for you though that it is not cancerous. My son had a cancerous brain tumour many years ago and sadly the outcome was not good. DSespite reaching one of Europe's leading Neurosurgeons, following mistakes made by less competent doctors, his cancer was extremely agressive and it was too late to save his life. When everyone else had given up on him, this surgeon gave my son another good year and a half of life because he had the courage to perform an extremely intricate operation not many can perform. That time made all the difference! If at any stage you want a contact to this specialist, his name is Mr. Peter Richards, please just let me know. There are few better than him in this country and he does work on the NHS! I wish you all the best! Hugs!