Yesterday saw another hospital appointment at Yves le Foll in St Brieuc, this time with the endocrinologist. I am not overfond of this person, who can be very patronising and evasive. This time though she seemed to have got the gist of emails I sent to her back in March and realised I wouldn't be talked down to or have my questions ignored. She is the only medical person I have had any problems with here and I am not alone in finding her difficult, my GP has also had hassle in conversations with her.
In February, after a scintigraphie - where they inject radio active dye and then scan - I was told I had two small tumours on the left parathyroid glands and possibly one on the right. Yesterday I was given prints of the scans and my endocrinologist explained that as they were still very small and because I'd already had one removed last June, which made removing others difficult, that she felt it was not advisable at the moment. She couldn't seem to explain why it was more difficult to remove further tumours.
She said that there were three criteria which would lead to her recommending removal of these new tumours.
First, a very high calcium reading - before my first op the calcium levels were more than double the high of the normal range - now my levels are only just above half of the low of the normal range. It is not known why it's so low as I now drink lots of milk, eat cheese, butter and cream. I also take calcium daily - two doses of 500mg - and monthly Vitamin D doses to help me absorb the calcium.
Second, a problem with osteoporosis. I am booked in for a bone density scan on tomorrow week.
Third, kidney problems. I am booked in for a kidney scan at the same time as the bone density scan.
I will be monitored six monthly and hopefully that should catch any bad news early. So a fairly successful appointment.
Some of the chickens have a newly built shed and run
In February, after a scintigraphie - where they inject radio active dye and then scan - I was told I had two small tumours on the left parathyroid glands and possibly one on the right. Yesterday I was given prints of the scans and my endocrinologist explained that as they were still very small and because I'd already had one removed last June, which made removing others difficult, that she felt it was not advisable at the moment. She couldn't seem to explain why it was more difficult to remove further tumours.
She said that there were three criteria which would lead to her recommending removal of these new tumours.
First, a very high calcium reading - before my first op the calcium levels were more than double the high of the normal range - now my levels are only just above half of the low of the normal range. It is not known why it's so low as I now drink lots of milk, eat cheese, butter and cream. I also take calcium daily - two doses of 500mg - and monthly Vitamin D doses to help me absorb the calcium.
Second, a problem with osteoporosis. I am booked in for a bone density scan on tomorrow week.
Third, kidney problems. I am booked in for a kidney scan at the same time as the bone density scan.
I will be monitored six monthly and hopefully that should catch any bad news early. So a fairly successful appointment.
Some of the chickens have a newly built shed and run
and another lot have the newly painted straw shed and run. The straw has now been moved to the old caravan. I have five 4 week old chicks in the garage and nine eggs under a broody Lavender Pekin due to hatch on Sunday/Monday - it's all very exciting!
My four Muscovies sometime share this run with the hens when I open the gate between the duck pond field and the new hen run. Here they are all sitting on the bank by their pond.
We have a new addition to the village in the lane
and here are my two goats enjoying the one bit of sunshine this week in their usual spot on the old pig ark.
I haven't got a close up lens, but here is a bee on my honeysuckle.
The garden has been looking beautiful but I'm glad I took the photos when I did as they are now very soggy blossoms with all the heavy rain we've had.
Three things I like:
1. Knowing that, with lots of luck, on Sunday/Monday my new chicks should hatch.
2. My lunchtime salad of a leftover piece of yesterday's supper entrecote steak cut in thin strips with new potatoes in mayonnaise and homegrown salad.
3. Going to bed in line-dried, fresh air clean bed linen.
