Wednesday 21 September 2016

Updates...

We went to get N's HRCT scan of the lungs done today. It seems that the dye is injected only for contrast scans, so N's high creatinine is irrelevant for a run of the mill CT. In spite of an appointment at the centre, there seemed to be an agonising wait, so the scan was cancelled. The scan is important as the lungs and the bones are the most probable targets of metastasis in bladder cancer, so we'll probably schedule it for later and have someone sent over earlier merely for the purpose of "reserving a place".

Disheartening news followed, the pharmacy we contacted through Roche has quoted CHF 15,250 for 1 vial of Tecentriq. This is prohibitively expensive for even a relatively well off Indian and doesn't even include shipping charges (~CHF 2500). While I have written to Roche to ask whether it may be made available cheaper in developing countries, I cannot be optimistic about my chances.

Meanwhile, we have contacted a couple of Ayurvedic oncologists. We will be visiting what seems to be a leading centre on Friday and will be arranging for a home visit from another practitioner as well. Let's see what they say and the therapeutic path they choose.

Scheduled to meet the oncologist later today. Mother refuses to consider chemotherapy, especially after our GP (someone I trust and respect enormously), has described it as fighting a losing battle. I can't say that I disagree but would reserve judgement until we at least meet the woman.

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