EUA

Fintan was back at the Royal London Hospital on Wednesday (27 February) for his post melphalan examination.  We had a little excitement to start the day; I received a phone call just as we were boarding the train at High Wycombe to see if we could make it to the hospital by 11.00 am as the Queen was visiting a new ward and Fintan was invited to be in attendance!  Alas, it was not to be,  despite Fintan's impressive running skills between stations, we did not make in it time.  Fintan didn't seem too disappointed and had been more interested in seeing her 'horse and carriage' that he tells me she rides in everywhere (we didn't see that either)!!

Fintan went down to theatre late afternoon for his EUA; the relapsed tumour does appear to have responded to the melphalan, not quite as much as the consultants would have hoped but it hasn't grown any more.  They are very happy with his vision which shows no signs of deterioration (in fact his vision test showed improvement) and he has not had any of the possible side effects associated with the treatment.

The next course of action is another dose of intra-arterial chemotherapy, but with a larger dose of melphalan; the consultants felt that, as he is older than most patients and with more body weight, he could tolerate a larger dose which would benefit the eye.  They do not feel that the cancer is in any danger of spreading outside the eye, but his eye is still at risk.  Following his treatment next week, he will have another EUA 4 weeks later and by then the Retinoblastoma Service will have access to and received training on a new ultrasound machine which will provide far more in depth pictures of the eye and tumours. Hopefully, this new equipment will give us a better idea of what is happening with Fintan.

Fintan had a rather rough afternoon, complaining of nausea before he went down to theatre -  he was a little sick just before his anaesthetic, but they were happy to go ahead.  After a short sleep post anaesthetic Fintan was soon requesting fluids and food, but then sat with a sick bowl under his chin for about 45 minutes.  We finally persuaded him to get up and move about with the hope that he would either feel better or be sick - it worked and he promptly had a large vomit and when asked if he felt better said "yes, but my pants are up my bum" to the amusement of those left on the ward!!  Then when it was suggested he sit back on the bed for a while and let his tummy settle he said "but I'm still hungry!"  Once he had selected his biscuits from the ward kitchen for his journey home, we were able to set off.

Fintan always amazes me with his ability to bounce back, despite a long tiring day, having been starved since breakfast, uncomfortable eye drops, an anaesthetic, long journeys in and out of London and late return home he was still smiling when he eventually got to bed.  Then at the end of the next day at school he performed in his class assembly - as part of a 30 pupil steam train - the child with the biggest smile on his face; I have to admit it brought a lump to my throat.

Post steam train performance!