Nadine Williams

Visit to the oncologist

Tuesday, May 17: 

 From elation to trepidation, Olivier and I attend Tennyson Centre to visit his oncologist, Dr Francis Parnis to find out if the hormone treatment is stopping the spread of cancer in his bones.

Dr Parnis is as bright in his personal style as his colourful patch-work socks peeping out from his well-cut dark suit.  And he has good news for Olivier.

“The tests show the cancer is shrinking and being controlled,’’ he says.

We are delighted to learn that Olivier’s blood levels have halved. “From an initial reading of  90 in January, the PSA has dropped to 45,’’ he adds.

These readings tell of the cancer in the blood, an absolute indication if the treatment is working. ”I thought his PSA was 70 in January,’’ I say.

“Yes, there is another type of blood reading of  70, which is now 35, so each one tells the same good news,’’ he says.

This is the best news and my stone-faced husband relaxes with relief.

Dr Parnis had kept Olivier’s MRI  and body scan results for a case study and the chief pathologist from Adelaide Pathology Services had sent us an account for attendance.

“What advice did the pathologist offer you about Olivier’s condition?’’ I ask.

“He confirmed that Olivier has a high grade Gleeson Number 8 cancer,’’ Dr Parnis says.

“He has been referred to me earlier than is usually the case because of the aggressive nature of the cancer,’’ he continues.

“We will watch carefully for any early change in the blood tests – and then we will immediately change treatment.”

He must have seen the words chill my initial joy, because he adds:

“I have some patients with Olivier’s grade of cancer who are alive five years after diagnosis.”

He asks Olivier how he is going with his exercise program and when Olivier says “sometimes’’, he adds “I must stress how important exercise is for.’’

We leave feeling that Olivier is in the most competent hands.

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