PET Scan At The Royal Marsden This Morning

The results of the PET scan that I had back on the 8th February, 3 month after I finished my Radiotherapy treatment at the Royal Marsden in Sutton, showed that I still had a hot spot showing where "George" the tumour AKA a Solitary bony plasmacytoma of the left mandible had been busy eating bone and teeth roots away. 

It also showed what I knew was happening that I have multiple sites of polyarthropathy which literally means "disease in many joints" which first started to present itself when they were half way through taking multiple biopsies and countless scans and tests trying to establish what form of tumour George was and how far he may have travelled in his universe that is my body!

In the next couple of weeks I have an appointment with the Maxi-facial department, the Rheumatology department and the Haematology department at St Georges in order to review the results of this new PET Scan and to see what can be done about my mobility issues and if "George" is still a hot spot or if the radiotherapy had continued its work and has finally eliminated him, and how we move forward.

Position Emission Tomography (PET) is a non-invasive nuclear medicine technique that allows the evaluation of metabolic processes and the disturbance of these processes by disease. 

It allows the identification of metabolically active cancer cells and provides excellent information on the staging of the disease and the impact of treatment. So fundamentally they will be able to see how effective my radiotherapy has or has not been after a further 2 months following my last PET Scan when George was still a hot spot. 

The Royal Marsden has two state-of-the-art Siemens Biograph mCT PET/CT scanners on the Sutton site and one Siemens Biograph Horizon PET/CT in Chelsea. Access to a variety of PET tracers is available for both clinical and research studies. These tracers are produced in-house by their radiopharmacy, and also supplied by third party companies.

For FDG PET/CT scans one is not be able to eat anything six hours before your appointment. During this time you can drink as much still/tap water as you like - you do not need to have a full bladder for your scan.

The scan isn’t painful. However, you will have to lie still for up to one hour on a table which is quite hard. I let the radiographers/technologists about the pain and the discomfort that I had during my PET scan at St Georges as it could lead to difficulties with the scan, and they ensured they packed me and positioned and restrained my feet and arms such as to minimise stress and pain in my joints.

I had removed my chain and wedding rings before attending and had ensured that I was wearing clothes without any metal so that I didn't have to change into a hospital gown. 

I was taken to a preparation room where a cannular was inserted into my arm, my blood sugars were taken and they gave me a small injection of radioactive tracer into a vein and ask me to remain lying down for about one hour. My mobility problems would not allow this so I was allowed to sit for the hour. 

After an hour, I was asked to empty my bladder as its not as if you can jump off for a pee halfway through, and then we went into the scanning room. Because of my shoulder problems I was scanned with my arms by my  sides. Sometimes they scan with your arms raised above your head. 

During the scan, the radiographer/technologist is able to see you from the control room and you can talk to each other through an intercom. They keep you informed about what scans they are doing and how long each section is going to be. 

My particular scans, whole body and head and neck were 25 minutes and 8 minutes respectively. 

Although the radiographer/technologist can see parts of your body on the screen, the images must be carefully interpreted by a Radiologist/Nuclear Medicine physician who is an expert in this field. 

The injected radioactive chemicals have a very short lifespan and are removed from the body fairly quickly. I was advised to avoid close contact with babies or pregnant women for eight hours after your scan.

Getting Away With Murder !

The weather has really not been supportive of trips to the allotment, and defiantly its been too cold at night for growing much in the Space saver Greenhouse in the back garden.

My late wife would not be happy or have let me get away with the arrangement I have set up in the back of the living room, but needs must until I can get down to the allotment to my potting shed and make modifications to my greenhouses so I can get into and out of them on a regular basis or replace them with one larger greenhouse with a level threshold.

My daughters bought me the table a couple of years ago for my birthday.

The crimson range of Tomatoes were transplanted into vending machine cup with Clover peat based compost.

The smaller Crimson Crush on the top row, which I will top up with compost as they grow and the smallest tomato bottom row which is a Crimson Plum.

This tray of Tomatoes will have to wait until I can get into my storage shed for the vending machine cups and have more room on the table to pot them on. Tomatoes include Arielle F1, Merrygold F1, Burlesque, Red Pear & Crokini F1

These are the first two trays of germinated parsnip seeds that were transplanted into loo roll cardboard tubes of Gro Sure Seed & Cutting compost. They would normally be in the ground before they got to this size, but the stars have not aligned to allow that to happen yet.

This is the third tray of germinated Parsnips that were transplanted.

This is the 4th tray of Parsnips that have been transplanted.

This is the 5th tray of parsnips. Each day I see how many new Parsnip I can find and transplant them into the next tray that has been made ready. So at the moment that's 107 Germinated Parsnips in loo rolls and ready to go into the 2.4m x 1.2m bed with planting membrane with 105 planting holes.

I have moved the un germinated early seeds into the first 3 of 4 take-a-way containers that I set up and have added another two take-a-way containers of seeds to try and increase the amount I have ready to hopefully go in the ground next week.

105 hole Planting Membrane that I use for Onion Sets, Beetroots, Parsnips and other root vegetables in my standard 2.4m x 1.2m beds.

Potting On the Tomatoes

 

It was extremely cold this afternoon but I took the Crimson range of tomatoes that I have been growing outside to pot them up into vending machine cups. 

• Tomato 'Crimson Crush' - The fruits are particularly large for a salad variety, with an exceptional flavour.
• Tomato 'Crimson Plum' - Good crops of ‘Roma’ style plum tomatoes throughout the summer.
• Tomato 'Crimson Cherry' - The small cherry fruits have glossy, red skins and a sweet, juicy flesh with a superb flavour.
• Tomato 'Crimson Blush' - Large beefsteak fruits with the sweet flavour of a cherry Tomato!
• Tomato 'Crimson Cocktail' - small cocktail-sized fruit with an excellent flavour that has a good balance of sweetness and acidity.

Sunday Morning Just Me

Sunday morning, my sister popped in and helped me with socks and medical boots over my dressings on my legs and feet first thing in the morning, and then I visited the allotment for the morning.

I cleared the scaffold tube drop bolt holes on the timber gates of vegetation so they were once again visible and removed the debris that had accumulated inside the scaffold tubes to the drop bolts have a void to actually drop into.

Trimmed the grass with my Ryobi strimmer from the main path to the Plot 1 entrance to Avalon (Plots 1 & 1A). Thus on a morning with a heavy dew or after rain my feet remain dry getting to my plot.

View from the plot 1 entrance along the main path looking down the allotment site. as can be seen Idverde need to come and cut the main path and actually use their trimmers. I've given them an idea how low they should go this end of the path, and in fact one can see that Kelly trimmed along the boundary beds a couple of weeks ago, but with all the rain and mild weather we had before this latest drop in temperature the grass and weeds have been growing very well.

Adi my plot neighbour at Plot 2 had once again strimmed the path and his plot but had not edged along plots 1 & 1A I managed to trim up to the entrance between plots 1 & 1A and then the line ran out and quite frankly so had my walking and stability.

A retreat to the potting shed where I can prop myself up in the tipping stool and I sorted out some Self Watering Pop Bottle Propagators with five varieties of Cucumbers sown Burpless Tasty Green & Lunch Box ,Suprina, Party Time & Esmarald Cucumbers. 

Lazy Housewife French climbing beans in root trainers.

Moved the paving slabs that had shifted during last year to neaten up the path in front and to the side of the potting shed. Andy my plot neighbour came to close the gate to the allotment to save me from dragging myself back out and into the car. There is a great sense of community on the allotment we are quite blessed with the neighbours we have.

Saturday Morning Just Me & My Girl

Emma & I had a productive morning on the allotment, getting in another bed with the last of the Red Baron Onion Sets, The Charlotte Second Early spuds and Emma did a grand job of weeding the SFG Bed and the bindweed along the wall.

Blueberry 'Trio Collection' comprises the following varieties arrived yesterday: 

Blueberry ‘Bluegold’ - Mid to late season (late July- August). High-yielding, vigorous, upright bush bearing large clusters of dark blue, medium-sized berries. Very sweet flavour and a good shelf life. Golden autumn foliage and yellow stems.

Blueberry ‘Osorno’ - Early to mid-season variety (July). Vigorous, highly productive variety that is popular with commercial growers. Medium-sized, light blue fruit with good flavour and firmness. Very heat tolerant.

Blueberry ‘Draper’ – Mid to late season (late July to mid-August). Another popular commercial variety. Very large, medium-blue, firm fruit with a longer shelf life. Upright, branching growth. Good winter hardiness and late to flower, so buds are less susceptible to frost damage.

For the moment they are living in the Potting Shed Until I can pot them on and the cold snap tomorrow morning is done

SFG Bed weeded by Emma so I can remove the Mels Mix, raise the bed frame higher and infill the bottom with hedge and tree cuttings plus weathered woodchip before replacing the Mels Mix on top of the raised bed. 

1st Early and 2nd Early Spuds in square flower buckets along the Boundary Bed

Bindweed Before the Emma attack 

Walking Onion Bed and Sapling Apple Tree cleared of Bindweed by Emma. I had treated the bindweed on the cantilevered bean support a few days ago so we are waiting to see how effective that's going to be. 

Grapevine after the bindweed was removed

What was the decimated Board Beans bed, now holds the excess Red Baron Sets.

Blueberry 'Trio Collection'

Dobies Blueberry 'Trio Collection' contains three high-yielding varieties that will supply your garden with delicious berries and good looks! Both ornamental and productive, they will be equally at home in your shrub borders, veggie plot or allotment. The Duo Collection was on offer for £10 and when I went to buy it suggested upgrading for another £5 and this collection normally sells for £44.97 so to get it for £15 was a no brainer, I've bought enough £1 shop ones that are dead before you plant them. 

Dobies Trio Collection includes both early and late varieties, so you can feast on a succession of sweet, juicy berries from July to August. Blueberries are packed with health-boosting compounds and are especially delicious in pies, muffins and jams. These sturdy shrubs not only produce high crops of berries, but make attractive features for acidic borders or large patio containers filled with ericaceous compost. In spring they bear masses of sweetly scented creamy white flowers, followed by fiery foliage in the autumn. 

Blueberry 'Trio Collection' comprises the following varieties: 

Blueberry ‘Bluegold’ - Mid to late season (late July- August). High-yielding, vigorous, upright bush bearing large clusters of dark blue, medium-sized berries. Very sweet flavour and a good shelf life. Golden autumn foliage and yellow stems.

Blueberry ‘Osorno’ - Early to mid-season variety (July). Vigorous, highly productive variety that is popular with commercial growers. Medium-sized, light blue fruit with good flavour and firmness. Very heat tolerant.

Blueberry ‘Draper’ – Mid to late season (late July to mid-August). Another popular commercial variety. Very large, medium-blue, firm fruit with a longer shelf life. Upright, branching growth. Good winter hardiness and late to flower, so buds are less susceptible to frost damage.

Self-fertile, but like all Blueberries they will produce their best crops if grown with another Blueberry to increase pollination.

Height: 1.8m (6ft). Spread 1.5m (5ft).

Estimated time to best yields: 28-32 months (16-20 months for 3l potted plant).

Plant height and spread is seasonal therefore we list by pot size rather than a defined plant size. The height and spread of the plant delivered will vary depending on the season, meaning arrival images are an indication only.

Blueberry 'Trio Collection' contains three high-yielding varieties that will supply your garden with delicious berries and good looks! Blueberries require a well drained, acid soil in a sunny or semi shaded position. In areas where acid soil does not naturally occur, grow blueberry plants in patio containers using a mix of ericaceous compost and John Innes No. 3.

T&M - Goji Berry 'No.1 Lifeberry'

Thompson & Morgan have added Goji Berry 'No.1 Lifeberry' to their catalogue this year and have very kindly sent me a 9cm Plant to trial. 

A high-performing variety favoured by Chinese commercial growers, Goji Berry ‘No.1 Lifeberry’ bears heavy crops of large, shiny, orange-red fruits, 2-3cm in diameter, with a very sweet flavour. 

The Goji Berry has been revered in China as a ‘Super Food’ for centuries. Packed with antioxidants and vitamin C, Goji berries can be eaten fresh, dried like raisins or used for jam. 

As well as being edible, the Goji berry makes an attractive shrub for the border, with purple flowers in late spring/early summer followed by bright red berries that are reading for harvesting in August. Goji ‘No.1 Lifeberry’ can be grown in the open border or in a large container. Its arching branches can also be trained against a sunny wall or trellis, showing the attractive fruit to advantage and making it easy to harvest. 

Flowers in June 

Harvest in August 

Height and spread: 2m (6.5ft).

How To Grow

Pot up plants and grow them on in frost free conditions until large enough to plant outside in their final positions. Prior to transplanting them, acclimatise goji berry plants to outdoor conditions over a period of 7 to 10 days. Plant goji berries in any well drained soil in full sun. When growing goji berries in patio containers use a soil based compost such as John Innes No.3.

Water goji berry plants regularly until they are fully established. Once established, they are drought tolerant and cope well in poor soils conditions. Goji plants benefit from some winter protection during their first two years; however with maturity they become increasingly hardy, tolerating temperatures down to -15°C (5°F). Prune goji berries in winter or early spring by removing any damaged or crowded growth and pruning the stems to fit the available space.

Kerraped All Purpose Boot

These are an absolute game changer for me, they are exactly what I have been thinking about and didn't know they existed until one of my nurses ordered two of them for me. It's opened up my world and means I can get out of the house and perhaps even down to my allotment. 

They go over the compression dressings I have on both legs. 

Description

KERRAPED ALL PURPOSE BOOT (SINGLE SHOE)

DESCRIPTION

Kerraped offers a safe and dignified solution for those whose feet are bandaged due to accident or illness. An all-purpose boot that takes the pressure off your foot without affecting the way you walk, it is a comfortable and light shoes, enabling you to get back on your feet in no time.

BENEFITS

• Keeps dressings dry
• Breathable upper with a black EVA insole
• Velcro straps allow for adjustability for a comfortable and secure fit
• Reduces plantar pressure by up to 30% and does not need to be customised to achieve results
• Will off-load pressure whilst allowing you to walk normally
• Can be wiped clean
• Available in a variety of sizes to accommodate bulky dressings, bandages and swelling (refer to size guide)
• Easy to put on and take off

Kerraped comes as a SINGLE shoe and can be worn on either foot. 

Clean Up & Coffee Grounds

This afternoon, it was nice and sunny and thanks to my sister popping in I managed to get to the allotment and hit the potting shed and the plot 1 shed and had a good tidy up.

Sorted out the compost into buckets in the potting shed. Starbucks free coffee grounds chopped up and placed in aluminium trays. My little sister picks it up for me when she gets her coffee in the mornings a couple of times a week.

Trays placed in the Plot 1A Greenhouse it was over 30C in there this afternoon when I opened the door. I love the smell of drying coffee grounds

Bindweed in the climbing frame greenhouse sprayed with weed killer, I don't normally like using it but at the moment I can't get down on the ground to just weed it.

Bindweed on the Cantilever Runner Beam sprayed, but I'm going to have to get down and weed around the young tree and the grape vine manually, or find someone who can weed it for me.

Dry Coffee grounds spread on Bed 5 as the snails and slugs hate coffee grounds and it also act as a fertiliser.

3rd Bed Of Red Baron Onions

A swift visit to the allotment late this afternoon with Emma to get the next onion bed ready and 105 more Red Baron Onion Sets planted, watered them in and gave the other two beds of onions a drink.

Again I've leaned the inner hoops in opposing directions so when the wind blows one hoop goes into Tension and the other in Compression and hopefully the structure remains upright and does not start leaning or falling over one way or the other.

Hoops & Debris netting fixed to keep the birds and mice out. The mice have been pulling Andy's sets up and gathering them in a pile on his plot. The pile of hoops needs to be distributed four to a bed ready for when whatever goes into the bed can be covered over. The aim at the end of this year, is to have all the beds covered for the winter months with the hoops and lateral bracing members there ready for action for next year.    

I need to get some weed killer for the bind weed that is making its way up my cantilever runner bean or French climbing bean frame. Bind weed is also making its way up my grapevine, that needs to be dealt with my hand, however the problem is at the moment I can't get down that low to deal with it. 

Third bed on right is what is left of a bed load of broad beans that were over Wintered, I will not be making that mistake again, Next visit loads of beer traps, and blue pellets of death to be put out all around the plot. 

Daleks on Bed 5

The idea last year was to compost on the bed and then this year just empty the contents and bring the level of the soil inside the bed frame up, and feed the bed. I was up at the crack of dawn (lucky Dawn) and got dressed and ready so I had assistance getting the medical boots on, from Kelly before she went to work. Shame I don't have long arms like a gorilla or better mobility to be able to do this myself.

The Daleks had been continuously topped up with alternating layers of Greens and Browns including Comfrey and coffee grounds. The last layer was shredded paper to act as insulation as we went into winter, and that's what remains un-composted, the rest of it looked adequately composted to feed the soil and full up the bed a little because the beds are not really raised more framed to separate and delineate the beds from the paths. With my current mobility issues I will be looking at making the beds higher in the future. 

The Kent & Stowe long handled fork and trowel and plastic shovel worked well getting the spoil that fell on the weed membrane as I lifted the Daleks up and off the Compost. With my current mobility issues I can't get down on my knees at the moment and these long handled tools are proving very useful. 

I skimmed the un-composed layers off the top of the two piles and put that material into the Hotbin.

I cut some more of the brassicas up from last years bed that I had not cleared to give my worms in my Hotbin some spring food, and then added another layer of un composed material from these Daleks. I have two square flower buckets with the un-composted material nearby to add when I gat another green layer of kitchen vegetable offcuts. 

Removal of the Heavy Duty weed membrane after cleaning up the top of the weed membrane.

Then I took a fork to both heaps and broke them up and spread them around the beds timber frame.

The Comfrey is now growing and giving the bluebells a run for their money.

Potting On Germinated Parsnip Seeds

Parsnips have started to germinate in the three Chinese takeaway containers on damp kitchen roll, so its time to fill those toilet roll cardboard tubes and get transplanting the seeds with little roots showing. This will now be a daily exercise until I have 210 of them. Then I may do another 105 and have a third bed of parsnips this year.

The Lidl trays with modules are an ideal size for the cardboard toilet rolls

I stuck the small coke bottle in a loo roll marked the bottle with a Sharpe and then cut just below the line so the bottle sits nice and snug on top of the roll. I then made another cut further up the bottle. It works so well as a funnel to get the compost into the toilet roll. 

And with an appropriate sized scoop we are off

The coke bottle funnel is a game changer and makes filling the cardboard tubes nice and easy

Lets play a game of spot the roots

The arrowed seeds are what we are ideally looking for to transplant into the top of the cardboard toilet rolls filled with compost. The circled seed the root is just about acceptable, but way too long really. Now I have spotted germination I will be looking for short roots on the seeds and transplanting them on a daily basis.  

I made a depression (hole) in the middle of each tube ready to transplant the seed with root down into the compost.

What you couldn't see them in the last picture? Here is a better view 

And after transplanting 16 seeds with roots into the toilet rolls it was time to water using another small coke bottle with five small holes drilled in the cap. The water shows in the cardboard tube.

Here is what's left to keep an eye on daily for the next transplanting sessions

The 16 cardboard tubes on the right of the tray are now nicely damp and indicating they have been adequately watered in. Another tray of toilet rolls is ready for the next couple of days of transplanting.