Front page news
Kidney cancer is in the news a lot at the moment. This week, NICE has decided not to fund four drugs for patients with advanced kidney cancer. Today, 25 cancer specialists (including Prof Hawkins and Prof Gore) have written a letter criticising Nice's decision.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/letters/article4597132.ece
The drugs include those Quent would probably need if he requires further treatment. We may be lucky, given his private medical care, but it does make me very sad, thinking of others in our situation being turned away by the NHS. I can just imagine how desperate they must feel - knowing there is hope, but not being able to access it. It's ironic that there is so much great research going on in Britain, but the UK lags Europe in using the drugs for treatment.
On a more cheerful note, we've been home nearly a week and Quent is doing very well, building up his strength with little walks each day. We even went out for lunch yesterday and his stamina was amazing. He is of course impatient to "do" things, but I am being strict. He's rebuilt my PC while sofa-bound and is even attempting a bit of admin - a surefire way to ensure a relapse. If you get a thank you note for your Odyssey donation, you'll know it won over the tax return - but don't hold your breath on either. (Whilst I am on the subject, many apologies we haven't written to thank you all individually. If it really is "the thought that counts", then we are fine - the intention has certainly been there. If, however, as I suspect, the actual note counts for something, we are in trouble.)
We are still waiting for the results from the pathology lab. The Prof has said he'll chase it this week. When he's not challenging government policy, he's running round after us. He was going to visit Quent at the Alexandra on Monday, till I emailed him we were already home. He's an amazing man.
A weak link to some results we have heard this week - and an even weaker link back to topical news stories. I don't usually use the blog for personal messages, but 12 A* GCSEs is definitely worth an exception. Congratulations, Emily Iredale.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/letters/article4597132.ece
The drugs include those Quent would probably need if he requires further treatment. We may be lucky, given his private medical care, but it does make me very sad, thinking of others in our situation being turned away by the NHS. I can just imagine how desperate they must feel - knowing there is hope, but not being able to access it. It's ironic that there is so much great research going on in Britain, but the UK lags Europe in using the drugs for treatment.
On a more cheerful note, we've been home nearly a week and Quent is doing very well, building up his strength with little walks each day. We even went out for lunch yesterday and his stamina was amazing. He is of course impatient to "do" things, but I am being strict. He's rebuilt my PC while sofa-bound and is even attempting a bit of admin - a surefire way to ensure a relapse. If you get a thank you note for your Odyssey donation, you'll know it won over the tax return - but don't hold your breath on either. (Whilst I am on the subject, many apologies we haven't written to thank you all individually. If it really is "the thought that counts", then we are fine - the intention has certainly been there. If, however, as I suspect, the actual note counts for something, we are in trouble.)
We are still waiting for the results from the pathology lab. The Prof has said he'll chase it this week. When he's not challenging government policy, he's running round after us. He was going to visit Quent at the Alexandra on Monday, till I emailed him we were already home. He's an amazing man.
A weak link to some results we have heard this week - and an even weaker link back to topical news stories. I don't usually use the blog for personal messages, but 12 A* GCSEs is definitely worth an exception. Congratulations, Emily Iredale.
posted by Helen at 8/24/2008 10:51:00 pm
1 Comments:
Definitely no thank you notes required! Glad to hear that Helen is being strict with you Quent. :Is she wearing the attire of a dominatrix?!
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