Today we met the surgeon, Mr Richard Berresford,  who could not have been more charming, warm, friendly and helpful. We liked him very much and he has a great reputation for his surgical skills and his caring way with patients.

Unfortunately the results of the PET scan hadn’t reached him, but he was extremely encouraged by the results of the CT scan. In 95% of the cases, the PET scan doesn’t reveal anything more than the CT scan, which shows Deidre as a pathetic little runt which can be removed surgically. However, there is still a possibility that she has seeped into the muscles of my oesophagus, and if this is the case I will need chemotherapy first. The only way to find this out is from the endoscopic ultrasound scan next Monday 24th July.

That’s basically the results for today. Mr Berresford showed us the video of the CT scan on his computer screen which was fascinating. The scanner moved from the top of my throat down as far as my stomach. The video showed a cross section of my chest with the oesophagus appearing as a dark hole in the middle and various healthy organs around it. As the film rolled downwards he kept saying ‘normal’, ‘normal’, ‘normal’, then he reached a part just above my stomach where the wall of my oesophagus looked thicker. We were staring Deidre right in the face and zapping her with our laser beam eyes (I wish!).

Since surgery only is still an option, we asked about possible dates. He couldn’t promise anything, but thought 1st August could be a possibility! That’s fantastic. It would give me four and a half weeks to recover before the wedding and I’d definitely walk up the aisle. I could organise a throne in the marquee while the party continues and if I’m tired I could be like a queen sitting with people attending me.

If its chemo, we are still planning on going ahead with the wedding, but there are chances I could have side effects which could make me very unwell, but maybe I won’t! I could be absolutely fine. So the wedding plans continue. We’ve got all fingers and toes crossed for surgery on 1st August.

The only other test to add is that before meeting the surgeon today, I has an echocardiogram. I had to lie on the most comfortable bed ever!! The nurse came in and placed a probe with cool gel gently on various places of my chest, listening to my heart glugging away happily. No problems there.

So this weekend is my hen party. Some of my oldest friends whom I barely see, and some of my newest Devon friends are joining me for walk on Dartmoor, then a cream tea in a hotel in Dartmoor, then home for a casserole. Neil will be rocking away with his friends in a local music festival and hopefully will meet everyone at some point. I’m really looking forward to it.

Our next job is deciding on place settings for the wedding. That will keep us entertained for a while.

And if you are a friend on Facebook, check out our hot tub! It will be such fun when its up and running, but don’t mention Deidre.