40 – Cancer Scan Anxiety and Scanxiety

10 November 2022

I’d touched on the scan and especially reporting delays in my last post. And it appears to becoming an issue countrywide. One cancer patient I’m in touch with, was still waiting for his scan report, almost 3 months after the scan – and almost in time for his next scan!

So, what on earth is going on?

The system seems to be that once a patient has a scan, the images are interpreted by a Radiologist who then writes a report and forwards said report to the specialist doctor. The doctor then considers the report and decides on the best treatment for the patient.

All good and the system worked pretty well, until what appears to be a backlog due to a combination of Covid delays and lack of trained personnel.

I did a bit of delving, but didn’t get very far with my local NHS Trust. Certainly not without making a ‘Freedom of Information’ request. And I don’t have the energy or inclination, for all of that.

But, talking to a doctor recently, it’s clear that scan reporting is likely to be an ongoing issue for the foreseeable future.

As he put it to me ‘They can keep producing scanning units every day, but it takes around 10 years to fully train a Radiologist to interpret scans professionally’.

In a way then, my 3.5 weeks wait for the results wasn’t a long time in the big scheme of things, but an eternity in terms of anxiety, not knowing how things are.

And unfortunately, it wasn’t the news I was hoping for. The 18 weeks of chemotherapy didn’t shrink any of the tumours, and in fact the largest (Tom) had increased in size by some 50% from 40mm to almost 60mm. Dr Grant was also very disappointed by the results.

If there are any positives to take from this, no further spread has been detected. Whether that’s due to the chemo or just natural, is impossible to tell right now, but suffice to say that because the first-line (chemo) treatment was unsuccessful, then some careful consideration had to be given to the next steps.

These ranged from pause treatment for a few months and then scan again; use a different type of chemo or start with a course of Immunotherapy. We discussed the options and agreed to run with the latter. So later this month, I’ll be back for bi-weekly infusions of a drug named Nivolumab.

I begin next week 16th November – with preliminary checks and tests and then my first infusion is scheduled for 21st November and then every 2 weeks after that. I guess quite a bit depends on how I react to the treatment.

Dr Grant tells me that I have to be aware of anything ending in ‘itis’ (inflammation) i.e. dermatitis, colitis, hepatitis etc. This is because the drug alters the body’s own immune system and while generally well tolerated, it can have quite unpredictable and serious effects

Anyway, I’m sure I’ll learn a lot more in the next few weeks – if nothing else I’ll have lots more material for my blog 😊

So, all being well, I’ll write an update after my second cycle in December. Until then, wherever in the world you are – take care x

8 thoughts on “40 – Cancer Scan Anxiety and Scanxiety”

  1. I didn’t notice that Beeritis was on the dreaded list, so with any luck you can take solace in a welcome pint!
    All the best Woz !

    Ha! I’m immune to Beeritis, so that’s a result 🙂

  2. All the best mate for all of you. I imagine you felt a whole lot better after seeing Steve and Alex. That was a great post seeing you all together. Love be to the you and the girls XX

    Cheers buddy – It was fab to meet-up with Steve and Alex, even if it was only for a a couple hours. The best medicine! Same love back to you and yours mate x

  3. All the best mate. Good to see you with Steve and Alex. I’ll bet that was a good boost. Love to you and the girls ❤️

  4. Hang in there! We have the same issues with reporting in the US as well. Short-staffed, no one wants to work, and millions of other reasons. Sending you billions of healing vibes!

    Thanks Jayne – Not so glad to hear of the same problems your side of the pond – it makes for very anxious days/weeks waiting for results 🙁

  5. As you say Dad…it’s all good content! Only you could look at it like that / so positively 🙂
    And only you could tolerate chemo so well that… well, it didn’t work as hoped! I have a good feeling about immunotherapy – certainly the new buzz word where cancer treatment is concerned and that can only be a good thing (plus the fact that it’s so spenny means it must be good!!). xxx

    Yep – this immuno stuff sure is pricy, so of course it must be good indeed 🙂
    See you soon xxx

  6. Hi Warren. Thanks for update m agree not the news yiu we’re hoping g to hear. But I’m active in the Macmillian site and quite a few with reoccurrence s in the head and neck forum are getting good results with immunotherapy. There’s also a new trial being run by the clatterbridge nhs trust Liverpool with various centres participating.
    https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05329532
    if you can’t find it let me know .
    It’s a US trial but centres in U.K. taking part. A girl on Macmillian is on it she had immunotherapy but that in end didn’t help as much as they wanted. So she’s in thus trial. Everythjng x for you big guy .Hazel xx

    Hiya Hazel – thanks for that and I had a look. Defo one to keep in mind – depends on how my planned immuno goes. I sould know by springtime 2023 at a guess. How you doing? Ping me an email sometime xx

  7. Hi Warren, I’m just catching up with your news and whilst it is sad to read of the latest, it is always so encouraging to recognise your big brave heart and hope within your words. I love reading your posts so please, energy willing, keep them coming. May the immuno path wreak havoc for Tom and the others, and bring healing and wellness for you.

    You and the girls take care xxx

    Ahhh, thanks Genine. Yes sure I’ll keep ’em coming for as long as 🙂
    You too take care hon xxx

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