News from Taunton.

It was a lovely afternoon today, beautiful sunshine. I went on my own to Taunton, no need to drag Siobhan along too as it was only a consultation.

I asked Dr TOF about pleural plaque which showed up on my last report. He said it is there, I am not concerned as I know that it isn't life threatening like the meso.

He also said he didn't think the fistula was closed properly. He said I would definitely need one or more dilatations as the stricture (narrowing of the oesophagus) was quite bad and doing it fuller could damage it more and then it could be risky or even life threatening. He is taking things very slowly.

I will be having a barium swallow next week followed by a general anesthetic to clip the fistula again and do the dilatation.

I am happy with what Dr TOF is doing. I was so pleased to hear him say that I would be in a medical journal, well my oesophagus and fistula will be, as I am the first in the UK to have this procedure and the second in the world.

Tomorrow I am going to the mustard tree to speak to the specialist nurse who is organising the mesothelioma support group in Derriford hospital. We will be doing a radio broadcast on Wednesday morning and then the support group at 11:30am at the mustard tree. We will be having the local paper there also. It should be a good day : )