‘Colon-aid’ the Yeovil District Bowel Cancer Support Group
Site last updated 29th June 2008
Rex’s Story Page 3
that the result was abnormal that he would arrange a body scan and further blood test. I saw Dr Watson on 17th January 2005 to receive the results. Again the CEA level was high but the CT scan showed nothing untoward. Dr Watson said that Mr Kennedy would like me to have a PET scan and it was arranged that I should go to Mount Vernon Hospital in Middlesex for this.
The PET scan machine seemed very similar to a CT scanner but I received a radio-active injection and drank copious amounts of water before entering the machine. I was told to avoid all physical contact for 24 hours and particularly to avoid pregnant women and small children ! The result of this scan was the same as the CT scan – nothing found; so I had another blood test which was better than the previous one but the CEA level was still high.
On 5th January 2006 I had another CT scan and was called to see Dr Falk on 23rd. He told me that the scan revealed some growths in my right lung and he recommended that I should go to Mount Vernon again for a PET scan. On 9th February I had this scan performed and I heard the results from Dr Falk on the 20th. It confirmed 2 growths on my right lung and some cancer on my liver. These were secondary infections from the bowel cancer. Dr Falk recommended that I went to the Bristol Royal Infirmary for the surgical removal of these growths and said he felt there was a good chance of a satisfactory outcome. I immediately decided to have the surgery.
On 13th March 2006 I presented myself to the BRI and talked to various surgeons, doctors and nurses and completed forms and questionnaires. I was told that the liver operation would be carried out first and I would have a pre-operative assessment soon. This proved to be 3 days later and on the 27 th March I was admitted to ward 12. The next day I had a section of my liver removed by Mrs Finch-Jones using laparoscopic surgery. I made fairly good progress for
but again there was an infection that delayed my discharge until day 12. I soon had difficulty breathing and saw my doctor and was given antibiotics. There being
On 13th March 2006 I presented myself to the BRI and talked to various surgeons, doctors and nurses and completed forms and questionnaires. I was told that the liver operation would be carried out first and I would have a pre-