Good news
Good news! Quent's scan result is "stable" (still the one spot, growing a bit but not much). So it's just another operation to take that section out of Quent's right lung - within the next few weeks. I know major lung surgery is not on everyone's Christmas list, but we are very pleased.
I do have one concern. I'm worried that, when they do the lung surgery, Quent's immune system will turn its attention to repairing the hole and take its eye off splatting the spots. (The last spot appeared sometime between end July and early Nov, when Quent had two operations.) I realise I won't win any Nobel Prizes for such a hypothesis, but we could get ourselves into a bit of a vicious circle if I'm right..."There's a spot in my lung, dear Liza, dear Liza."
And of course, I still have a few questions for Prof, who is a Professor of Patience as well as Medicine. When we saw him on Monday, and I put my theory to him, he didn't dismiss it totally. He said we might be able to do a shot of low dose IL-2, to supercharge the immune system before the surgery (Think Red Bull before a long journey). But then he and Quentin talked themselves out of it - Quent said he thought his immune system felt fine after the surgery (His theories are at least as ridiculous as mine.) I still think it's a great idea and will ask just one more time if they'll give it a go. And there's the German vaccine, raised last year as a possibility, if we do surgery. (They would use the tumour removed from the lung, to create a personalised vaccine, which has had some, albeit few, incidences of success.)
I mention the above to pre-empt questions from those of you studying for Mastermind; Specialist Subject "Quent's blog". And to reassure the rest of you that I am as inquisitive (exasperating) as ever and that we will still pursue every possible avenue / series of avenues, to find a cure for Quent.
I do have one concern. I'm worried that, when they do the lung surgery, Quent's immune system will turn its attention to repairing the hole and take its eye off splatting the spots. (The last spot appeared sometime between end July and early Nov, when Quent had two operations.) I realise I won't win any Nobel Prizes for such a hypothesis, but we could get ourselves into a bit of a vicious circle if I'm right..."There's a spot in my lung, dear Liza, dear Liza."
And of course, I still have a few questions for Prof, who is a Professor of Patience as well as Medicine. When we saw him on Monday, and I put my theory to him, he didn't dismiss it totally. He said we might be able to do a shot of low dose IL-2, to supercharge the immune system before the surgery (Think Red Bull before a long journey). But then he and Quentin talked themselves out of it - Quent said he thought his immune system felt fine after the surgery (His theories are at least as ridiculous as mine.) I still think it's a great idea and will ask just one more time if they'll give it a go. And there's the German vaccine, raised last year as a possibility, if we do surgery. (They would use the tumour removed from the lung, to create a personalised vaccine, which has had some, albeit few, incidences of success.)
I mention the above to pre-empt questions from those of you studying for Mastermind; Specialist Subject "Quent's blog". And to reassure the rest of you that I am as inquisitive (exasperating) as ever and that we will still pursue every possible avenue / series of avenues, to find a cure for Quent.
posted by Helen at 1/19/2009 02:12:00 pm
14 Comments:
fantastic news...so pleased to hear something good for you. fingers crossed for the next hurdle and here's to the home straight (hopefully).xxxxx
Great news. My wine and chocolate theory from previous blog still stands but now its celebratory so it doesn't matter!
Much love
The Langleys
xxxx
Youpee,that's a real cheerup... well, as you say, it wasn't on everyones Christmas list, but you won't have to write any "blooming thank you letters" as Oakley would say, for that one!
All my love
Paula
Truly good news. Personalised designer medications and vaccines, what will they think of next.
Love the Turners xx
what fab news, I'm sooo delighted. All those positive vibes clearly have their own designer power. How cool.
Jo
xx
Lullaby for Quentin (To be sung by the massed choirs of the Batchworth Scout Pantomime)
There's a spot on your lung, dear Quentin, dear Quentin,
There's a spot on your lung, dear Quentin. A spot.
Then kindly remove it, dear Hawkins, dear Hawkins,
Then kindly remove it, dear Hawkins. Cut it.
With what shall we cut it, dear Quentin, dear Quentin,
With what shall we cut it, dear Quentin? With what?
With a sharp, shiny scalpel, dear Hawkins, dear Hawkins,
With a sharp, shiny scalpel, dear Hawkins. A blade.
All our scalpels are too blunt, dear Quentin, dear Quentin.
All our scalpels are too blunt, dear Quentin. Too blunt.
Then make a new sharp one, dear Hawkins, dear Hawkins,
Then make a new sharp one, dear Hawkins. Brand new.
Of what shall we make it, dear Quentin, dear Quentin,
Of what shall we make it, dear Quentin? Of what?
Of hardened cold steel, dear Hawkins, dear Hawkins,
Of hardened cold steel, dear Hawkins. Cold steel.
But the steel is too mild, dear Quentin, dear Quentin,
But the steel is too mild, dear Quentin. Too mild.
Then harden and temper it, dear Hawkins, dear Hawkins,
Then harden and temper it, dear Hawkins. Harden.
But how do we temper it, dear Quentin, dear Quentin,
But how do we temper it, dear Quentin? Pray how?
With the heat from a fire, dear Hawkins, dear Hawkins,
With the heat from a fire, dear Hawkins. With heat.
But the fire burns too slowly, dear Quentin, dear Quentin,
But the fire burns too slowly, dear Quentin. Too slow.
Then you must revive it, dear Hawkins, dear Hawkins,
Then you must revive it, dear Hawkins. Revive.
But how to revive it, dear Quentin, dear Quentin,
But how to revive it, dear Quentin? Pray how?
With a strong draught of air, dear Hawkins, dear Hawkins,
With a strong draught of air, dear Hawkins. With air.
But we can't find the bellows, dear Quentin, dear Quentin,
But we can't find the bellows, dear Quentin. They're lost.
Then I'll use my lung power, dear Hawkins, dear Hawkins,
Then I'll use my lung power, dear Hawkins. My lungs.
But there's a spot on your lung, dear Quentin, dear Quentin,
But there's a spot on your lung, dear Quentin. Damned spot!
Fabulous news.
Love the O'Donovan's xxxx
A good start to 2009 for you. That is very pleasing. Jen xxx
Great news. Long may it continue in the same vain.
Love Liz & Paul M
TFFT, I was holding my breath and had gone bright purple.
Fab news, and here's hoping that the small white dot really is light at the end of a long and painful tunnel.
As someone very famous once said "Out damned spot"!
Happy birthday
Love Janice Paul Holly & Hannah xxxx
So glad the news was encouraging...Good luck for the op, Quent, and hope to see you both soon.
Love Nicky & Paul
Good news indeed! we're so pleased and relieved for you. Thinking of you lots,
The Allans xxxx
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