4 May 2015 To Melbourne and back

It’s been a full couple of days, beginning with the 5 hour trip to Melbourne yesterday. I wasn’t sure how I would manage the drive with a dodgy back – but all went well. I guess sitting in a car is really not much different to sitting in a wheelchair. Brian and I stayed with Marlene and David, and caught up with Jeanie and Pete, Hannah and also Simon and Caitlin – fresh back from their work and holiday trip to Europe. Lovely to see them all.

This morning’s appointment was at St Vincent’s hospital, and after waiting an hour in an overcrowded waiting room, we finally got to see an orthopaedic surgeon named Claudia Di Bella. She was very kindly, but unfortunately my left hip/pelvis seems to defy the ‘easy-fix’ scenario.

Firstly, I had hoped to get some sort of plan as to whether it is best to surgically tackle the hip first, or concentrate on the two areas of concern on the spine. I now realise that these surgeons are more specialised than I thought, and Claudia was really only able to advise me of the pelvic region, not the spine.

As far as the pelvic area goes, again there is disappointment. The main method of treatment in my scenario is to fill the ‘eaten’ section of bone on the left acetabulum (just above the hip ball and socket) with concrete. This would normally be secured with a pin from the top of the pelvic bone (the iliac wing). However in my case, she said that it is unbelievably bad luck that the top of this bone has also been compromised by the cancer. Their only way then is to inject the concrete from the side, not as secure, and with some risks.

So where to next?

It will probably be another trip to Melbourne to another hospital (possibly the Alfred) to determine what can be done with the fractures and stenosis at T7 and T12 (crushed vertebrate along the spine). This would likely be done prior to any possible hip surgery, in order to secure the spine and protect the spinal canal. If this can be secured first, it would make rehab easier and safer for recovery from hip surgery, if this proceeds.  

Sigh...

I am disappointed of course, partly at my naivety in thinking that perhaps there might be a logical and straight-forward solution. I’m also disappointed that I won’t be able to dispose of the wheelchair in the short-term. This is becoming quite a test on my levels of patience and endurance!

Meanwhile, we had a good trip back to Portland this afternoon, in beautiful mild Autumn sunshine.

Yes I’m disappointed, but tomorrow is a new day, and I will probably make a phone call to my oncologist to consider arrangements for the next referral to a spine specialist, possibly a neurosurgeon. Let’s see what that will unearth!