Biopsied and back in the ward with the missus’. Will know about the options in 11 days time when results will be discussed. The operation was described in my notes as “Stealth guided Craniotomy”. Like it!
My Situation
On July 3rd I was diagnosed with tumours in my brain. A Biopsy at Addenbrooke’s Hospital Cambridge revealed that I have a single glioblastoma multiforme. With radiotherapy treatment the mean life expectancy is estimated to be “6 to 9 months”.
Called back to Addenbrooke’s hospital today for a repeat blood test as low platelet count discovered in Tuesdays sample (result now confirmed). Admission now will be Sunday for transfusion, and op on Monday.
Met my surgeon to discuss action based on results of Tuesday’s higher resolution MRI scan. This has revealed 3 tumours, (and suggests it might be a single more distributed tumour). To minimise the risk to my Motor Cortex, he will not touch No.1 tumour, but will instead biopsy the second one, as this is easier to access. I might be out on Tuesday evening.
I’m very impressed with the professionalism of all we have encountered.
A couple of folk have suggested that I’m being courageous. However my current lack of fear means that I haven’t had to find out yet.
Appointments at Addenbrooke’s Hospital Cambridge today for high resolution MRI scan, and for pre-op tests. What a wonderful professional hospital and staff. NHS crisis? What crisis!
Awaking today exactly a week to go before my brain surgery at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, I found myself reflecting on my calmness when my tumours were revealed in my cranial MRI Scan just a few week’s ago.
While awaiting the scan results, I sat and re-read the last chapter of “Don’t Sleep, There are Snakes: Life and Language in the Amazonian Jungle” by Daniel Everett, in which he describes his journey into the Amazon as an evangelistic missionary to translate the Bible into the language of the Pirahã tribe, and ultimately lost his religion.
He found “the happiest tribe on Earth” who had no interest in things outside their immediate experience, so had no need of Dan’s Evangelism. According to Pirahã, if you or at least people close to you haven’t experienced something, it is simply not relevant. The Pirahã show that happiness lies in small, daily activities, that the more we try to complicate the worse our lives become.
This idea was still in my mind, when minutes later I was gazing at an image of a “walnut sized” tumour on the Doctor’s monitor. The clarity and immediacy of my new situation induced a surprising peace, and even a profound happiness which has stayed with me. This feeling may go, but for now it is my new friend, enriching the present, the only moment in which I actually am living.
One again I awoke early to the energetic tunes of Ed Sheeran’s album “Divide” playing in my head. It must be the tempo, plus my love of his reflective lyrics, all good food for my journey.
Physio recommends a pair of Nordic poles to help me walk symmetrically.
Another beautiful morning.
Sold my car
Action
Brain operation booked for Monday July 31st, with high res scan a few days earlier. I’m delighted with progress.
Went “dancing”
Great evening. Lavinia drove me to Cambridge to go dancing with our good friends at Cambsdance. Delicious pasta meal first. Despite balance problems I managed to move around without a stick, which was a relief. So good to flex my tightened muscles. Everyone was kind. New 5Rs teacher for us: AJ, who was great.