We are taking a quick lunch break after a full morning at the radiology clinic. It was a busy appointment. We were fortunate enough to meet Dr Killian Salerno , who is a resident here. She is a wonderful young doctor and took a long time with mum explaining everything .There are two main concerns.
1 - treating the area of her neck - the epidural disease . It is in the lower part of the neck and extends five levels down to the mid back.
2- The hip -. They would like to do some radiation to that area but they feel that the hip should be strengthened prior to radiating that particular area. They may also be able to radiate the lower back at the same time.
The main concern is that the epidural disease is resistant to Zometa, the treatment that will combat the other issues in the bones, and radiation is the best way forward. Surgery is an option, but only as a last resort for obvious reasons. Lets hope that she shows a good response.
She will be starting radiation on Monday and right now I am in the waiting room while she is having a CT scan , tatoos and a mask fitted that will ensure that the radiation that is delivered will be precise.
Her doctor feels that it is essential that you "treat the patient not the scan" and I thought that was a good way to explain the situation. It emphasizes the "art" as opposed to the "science" of medicine and I feel we have Picasso in our midst.
