Wednesday 23 December 2015

Latest news and Christmas wishes

I have always believed that everything happens for a reason.  And I honestly believe that our decision to move to France was because it has put us in the best possible place as far as healthcare is concerned.

Let me tell you about Danny first.  I told you last time that Danny had been suffering from a sore throat for some weeks and that after a second visit to our GP, he was being referred to a specialist and for an ultrasound.  Here then, as testament to the amazing healthcare we have in France, is the timeline of events -


24 November - Initial visit to GP
7 December - Second visit to GP
14 December - Danny saw the ENT specialist who could not find anything untoward but wanted to do a fibroscopy (tube inserted into the nostril and down the throat!)
18 December- Fibroscopy carried out and nothing untoward found
23 December - Ultrasound confirmed no lesions - the thing we were scared of!


The ENT specialist believes Danny may have some acid reflux - possibly caused by stress.  We then told him my situation at which he threw his arms theatrically into the air in an expression that clearly meant "Well! What do you expect? Of course you're stressed!"

As to my own situation, there is good news there too.  I heard yesterday from Bordeaux hospital that I have an appointment there next Wednesday, 30 December. While I won't be seeing the Professor on that day, it seems that I will be taking part in a clinical trial, subject to a general health check which is the purpose of next week's appointment.  I also have to see a cardiologist, for which an appointment has already been arranged for tomorrow! (Thankfully, that will be in a clinic nearer to home!) For those of you who like to read up on things, the trial is of a drug called ramucirumab and you can find out a bit about it by clicking here.  (The more diligent among you may be prepared to dig deeper and find more!)  I get the impression that this drug (which is given intravenously) has been approved for some cancers and that they are trialling it now on my type of liver cancer.  Of course with my very poor grasp of anything remotely scientific, I may be totally wrong!  Anyway, I believe the aim is for me to start the trial early in January.  Let's hope it's a positive start to 2016!

As was the situation when I last posted, we haven't been doing anything much but I did meet up with some lovely friends for a wonderful lunch yesterday.  We each took a plate of food so we had a marvellous selection of different foods - including a red cabbage cake which was incredibly and unexpectedly delicious!  I chose to go for simplicity and made this.....


It's based on a Jamie Oliver recipe and was just slices of smoked salmon on toasted baguette, topped with crème fraîche mixed with horseradish, then sprinkled with dill.  Incredibly simple but really tasty!

Well, that's it for now!  This will be my last post before Christmas so I'll take the opportunity of wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!  And for those of you who don't celebrate Christmas, well, enjoy the next few days anyway! (I myself celebrated the Winter Solstice yesterday!!!)

Love & Peace to you all
xx

6 comments:

  1. Sending you both our very best wishes for Christmas and 2016, and, most importantly for the drug trials.

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  2. Lovely to have something positive lined up for the new year and wishing you every success and bit of strength on your upward climb Roz. Here's hoping 2016 is your year.
    Delighted that Danny is well.
    Have yourselves a very merry Christmas. xx

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  3. Festive good wishes and a more positive 2016. With love

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  4. Hope you have a fantastic Christmas and I wish you all the best for 2016 x

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  5. From one Roz to another I have only just read your post and have been away for some months but am sorry to hear of your illness and hope the treatment works and all will be well, Happy new year to you both x

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