First of all my apologies to those of you who used to follow this blog to keep up with my treatment progress. Much has changed since I updated about our road trip last summer. With our relocation back home in December, I just never got around to writing again.
Unfortunately, last July a scan showed that the tumour had returned so I had surgery in August and another couple of months of medical leave and virtually a carbon copy of what I went through post-surgery in 2010 - problems caused by the steroids and another incision infection. That all meant that I couldn't start chemotherapy until we got back to the UK in December, four months after surgery.
Sadly, another scan just before Christmas showed that the tumour was showing signs of regrowth. We talked to a couple of neurosurgeons in Nottingham about further surgery but decided to repeat a few more rounds of chemotherapy. I'm just coming to the end of round 5 at the moment.
The big kick in the teeth in all of this was the surgeon telling me that I couldn't drive over here. It seems that the DVLA rules are quite strict about driving if you've had recent brain surgery and while I totally understand the reasons and logic behind it, it's been extremely difficult to accept. Remember that feeling of independence when you first passed your driving test? Well, it's like having that independence ripped away from you. I love driving. For me, it's not just about getting from A to B. I miss the drive to work through the country roads, I miss long cruises down the motorway, and I really miss the practicality of taking the boys to and from their various activities and having that time to talk along the way.
Anyway, grumble over. We're trying, more than ever, to do lots of stuff as a family and make the absolute most of the weeks that I'm not taking chemo. Recent highlights have been a weekend in London with the boys, a weekend at Grandma and Grandad's while I took the boys to see their first premier league game (although the 4-0 defeat to Man City took the shine off the experience a little), and a few days for Anna and I cycling and relaxing in the Cotswolds.
I'll have another scan in a few weeks and we'll determine the next steps from there.
Until next time
Unfortunately, last July a scan showed that the tumour had returned so I had surgery in August and another couple of months of medical leave and virtually a carbon copy of what I went through post-surgery in 2010 - problems caused by the steroids and another incision infection. That all meant that I couldn't start chemotherapy until we got back to the UK in December, four months after surgery.
Sadly, another scan just before Christmas showed that the tumour was showing signs of regrowth. We talked to a couple of neurosurgeons in Nottingham about further surgery but decided to repeat a few more rounds of chemotherapy. I'm just coming to the end of round 5 at the moment.
The big kick in the teeth in all of this was the surgeon telling me that I couldn't drive over here. It seems that the DVLA rules are quite strict about driving if you've had recent brain surgery and while I totally understand the reasons and logic behind it, it's been extremely difficult to accept. Remember that feeling of independence when you first passed your driving test? Well, it's like having that independence ripped away from you. I love driving. For me, it's not just about getting from A to B. I miss the drive to work through the country roads, I miss long cruises down the motorway, and I really miss the practicality of taking the boys to and from their various activities and having that time to talk along the way.
Anyway, grumble over. We're trying, more than ever, to do lots of stuff as a family and make the absolute most of the weeks that I'm not taking chemo. Recent highlights have been a weekend in London with the boys, a weekend at Grandma and Grandad's while I took the boys to see their first premier league game (although the 4-0 defeat to Man City took the shine off the experience a little), and a few days for Anna and I cycling and relaxing in the Cotswolds.
I'll have another scan in a few weeks and we'll determine the next steps from there.
Until next time
