Walking on eggshell.

A couple of days ago I posted an update on the Manchester debacle and my referral back to Brum. We were awaiting an appointment at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital with a surgeon to discuss the treatment for a recently located metastasis in the head of my femur and the possible timing for surgery.

Well, the meeting took place on Tuesday, two days ago. I'm really not complaining but I think it helps to set the context for further decisions if I tell you that the out-patient clinic was very busy and we were just about the last to be seen, nearly three hours after our appointment time of 3.00pm. The registrar who greeted us was  initially trying to juggle images of my femur/hip area with medical reports, my case history and a mobile phone that regularly disturbed and distracted him. He explained that in addition to working in the clinic he was 'on call' for the wards and other enquiries.

We weren't sure whether to feel sorry for him or us.

Unsure as to the significance of the scan images he eventually asked the consultant for his opinion. A tall man, his cheerful and assertive handshake was matched by a prompt conclusion - further scans were needed to establish how far down the femur the cancer may have travelled. This could only be determined by another MRI. He was alarmingly clear that a large 'hole' was located in the head of the femur leaving an outer layer within the socket, 'eggshell thin'. This could be tackled straightforwardly by a full hip replacement - unless the length of the femur was compromised.

He asked his registrar to send an urgent MRI request to my oncologist. 'Urgent', we discovered meant within two weeks at the QEH or three at ROH. Both appeared ominously lengthy. Quite apart from the anxiety about the state of the femur and learning a date for surgery, the cancer clock was still ticking, some three months after my last chemo dosage.

The next day, as details of the likely wait unfolded we made a decision - one that I'm sure all our friends and family will understand - we would 'go private'. For £577 you can get a 'two-site' MRI scan at the Priory Hospital. There was just one slot before the next Multidisciplinary Team Meeting next Tuesday morning at the ROH, Monday evening. We briefly visited today, just to ensure that the scanner would not trigger my susceptibility to claustrophobia - even as my wallet experiences an unwelcome attack of agoraphobia.

If all parts of the system work smoothly, the results will be securely and digitally despatched to the ROH in time for the MDT meeting. Our hope is, that my case will be discussed and a date for surgery agreed and in the near future.

Meanwhile, we have had so many phone calls and visits from friends, there's been little time to enter a downward spiral - though having said that, there are still some slots between 3.00 - 5.00 a.m. that have yet to be filled.

There are sure to be more twists in this gripping/griping medical thriller - stay tuned.