A bit of a disappointment on Tuesday as the MRI did not look as expected but rather like this. The friendly-looking flowery shape is the evil regrowth!

I am most likely going to have another operation but undecided about the where and when. Also, since the therapies so far have been less than effective a radical rethink is required. More about this later, in the meantime any good ideas, prayers (for those of you so inclined), toasts to my good health, etc. are very welcome.

So keep these good vibes coming my friends!

Cheerio,
Tom

So off the hospital again, this time it’s the radiology clinic which will get my custom. As I arrive, I’m being led to a waiting room where some other patients have gathered. Each of them has two bottles in front of them, from which they sip occasionally. Barium sulfate suspension is a contrast agent which is used to enhance the visbility and detail of x-rays. I’ve only just settled in and nodded a greeting to my fellow sufferers, when a young nurse cheerfully brings me my two bottles of the stuff (1 litre in total).

BaSO₄ suspension tastes like liquid chalk, only slightly sweeter. I manage to drink it all, despite feeling slightly nauseous. One could, if one were so inclined, receive the liquid into ones system by means of an enema, which would probably be equally unpleasant or worse.

After about one hour I get called in. The CT scanner looks like a big tube, much like the MRI scanner, but this time I am going in feet first. No sound other than a electronic voice instructing me from time to time to hold my breath. After about twenty minutes it’s over.

For the diagnosis, I am told, I will have to wait another day at least, as quite a few doctors will need to see both MRI and CT scans. Milena drops me off at my office, as I have scheduled a meeting with my business partner. Since there is not a lot to discuss business-wise, we commiserate together and drink a couple of cold beers. He drives me home at 6 PM

Oh, and I shaved my head! Had wanted to do this for a long time, but my girls were against it; so I figured that this was my chance. I kind of like it, gives me a manly look, just like Bruce Willis.

Our wedding anniversary!

Don’t have a present as I spent almost all weekend in hospital. Driven to the office first, but unable to do anything remotely productive.

At 10 AM, the expected call from the hospital; a scheduled visit to nucleoradiology (try saying that with your mouth full) to have my head examined in the MRI scanner. Milena driving me again and keeping me company.

MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. These MRI scanners are complex machines, costing upwards of 1 Million Euros.

Thanks to the vast body of knowledge that is Wikipedia, here’s a short lay explanation how these scanners work:

When a person is in the scanner, the hydrogen nuclei (i.e., protons) found in abundance in the human body in water molecules, align with the strong magnetic field. A radio wave at just the right frequency for the protons to absorb energy pushes some of the protons out of alignment. The protons then snap back to alignment, producing a detectable rotating magnetic field as they do so. Since protons in different tissues of the body (e.g., fat v. muscle) realign at different speeds, the different structures of the body can be revealed.

To make the different protons stand out even more, I got some contrast fluid injected in my veins. I was also equipped with some earplugs and was then shoved into the cylinder. After being subjected to about one hour of loud clanging noise (like you’re inside a metal tube and someone’s banging on it with a hammer so earplugs are a sterling idea), I was pulled out again. Over 400 scans were taken!

This is what these scans look like, the whitish blob left of center appears to be the culprit. So far, no senior doctor at the hospital has reviewed these scans and ventured a diagnosis, however, the young and inexperienced assistant was adamant: “You’ll have to operate this!”

We both cried a bit and then went home for a sombre dinner.