Back into the routine of hospitals

Thanks for all the comments and support. Mari had a really good time in New York and it was a chance for some healthy distraction from what will be an intense week this week. Today, Tuesday, she is seeing her GP this morning, a consultant from Southmead Hospital this afternoon, blood tests tomorrow morning and appointments at the Cancer Centre in the afternoon and then she has two appointments with consultants on Thursday, one at the Oncology Dept in the morning and one at St Michaels in the afternoon. It is a full on week. We should know options etc at the end of the week.

We will keep you all updated by the end of the week. Thanks again for your love, support and prayers.

Much love
The days

Monday afternoon

Mari, Dave and Rhi have just returned from Southmead which was a chance to talk face to face with the specialist and go over things that were said on the phone. The next stage of treatment will be at Bristol Royal Infirmary and Mari should have an appointment there in the next couple of weeks.

We were told of the possible treatments that will be proposed and the probable side effects of them. The treatment will include Radiotherapy and some form of chemotherapy.Mari's preference would be to just have the radiotherapy because of short and long term effect of the chemo. It would appear that the tumour involved is one that wasn't completely dealt with first time round rather than a new cancer.

The Doctor told Mari that the best thing she could do is go away for a few days so she will fly out to New York tomorrow. It wont delay the next appointment.

As you can imagine, it is still sinking in and there is so much for Mari to process which she is bravely facing.

Thanks again for your love, support and prayers. They are so appreciated.

With much love
The Days

Saturday, 20th June

Thank you for all your responses. We so appreciate your love and prayers.
Mari is back in Bristol with me (Rhi) for the weekend and Dave has cut his time in Zambia short and is flying home on Monday.

We are booked for a preliminary discussion with the specialist in Southmead Hospital on Monday afternoon. Hopefully he will be able to give us an idea of the treatment the team in Bristol Royal Infirmary will recommend. He has encouraged Mari to take the trip she and her friend have planned to celebrate their 30th birthdays in New York. Looks like she's going next Tuesday for 6 days.

We'll update after Monday.

With our love and thanks, Rhi

Bad news.

Hi,
My consultant called me today, with results from my recent pet scan. Unfortunately it was not good news. It showed a growth somewhere by my lungs, which means I need to have more treatment. The chemoetherapy I had before was called ABVD. I have already had the maximum ammount of this specific type of chemotherapy, so the Doctor told me they would need to give me another type and possibly radiotherapy. The chemotherapy they have mentioned to me, sounds extremely unpleasant.

At the moment, we don't have too many details because I am now being referred on to a new oncolcogy team. They might have to do some tests on me next ( possibly a biopsy etc).

I will start updating my blog again, as this is a useful way to communicate.
I just wanted to let you know. It is a really difficult time for us and we're in quite a bit of shock again. It is hard to make any plans right now as we're still unsure what the next step will be and what it will involve. I have been living in London for the past 3 months but I will probably need to have further treatment in Bristol so there are lots of practicalities to sort out. At the same time, this recent news (and all the implications) is still sinking in.
With Love, Mari