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I am so much happier now after my visit to the Prof. in Frankfurt, he has put my mind at rest somewhat.
The Doctor, who got me to sign the treatment authority, told me to drink lots of fluid to flush my kidneys as the chemo fluid can do damage to them if left in the body too long.
I told Professor Vogl that it was painful last time and he gave the anaesthetic a little longer to work. He does the treatment with the aid of an Ultrasound scanner and the moment he puts the chemo-embolizing fluid in you see a sudden splat on the screen. I can't always see the screen, but the couple I have seen produced a small circle. This time though, the splat was ten times bigger and I could see the fluid going into small blood vessels around it. It was an amazing picture.
The procedure went well and I was sent to rest in the anti room outside the theatre; I assume because the ward was full. I didn't get offered anything to drink though, but this didn't worry me as I was determined NOT to have to ask for a bed pan, as I am not allowed to sit up for at least three hours after the treatment. Also the nurse only put about 200mls of fluid through the catheter instead of the usual litre plus. The nurse on the ward after previous treatments was quite fastidious about me having to have the whole lot. I made up for the lack of fluid by drinking lots of water for the rest of that day and the following day too.
After I was allowed up I saw the Prof. again. He said he was very pleased with the way it went as he had hit the spot this time. He would usually try to put the chemo-embolizing fluid where the tumour blood supply is, but it is impossible to get to the exact spot each time. This means that the chemo can do its work but the tumour blood cells don't quite die off, they just sleep. (This is what I think happens.) The Prof. says I will need three treatments and that they will embrace the lymph nodes too. This makes me happy.
I asked if the mesothelioma could stop reacting to the treatment, he says not usually but he has a large arsenal of poisons in the cupboard to attack it with if this happens. Just what I wanted to hear. 
My watercolour painting this time is of a couple of beached boats, done with a palette knife.
We are off to Frankfurt on Sunday for a treatment by Prof. Vogl on Monday. I am a bit worried about it as it really hurt last time. Also I don't know how much of my mesothelioma is growing so don't know how many treatments I will need. I have to ask the Prof. how often I can have this treatment as all chemo stops working on meso after a while.
For once I did quite well with my Pound/Euro exchange.
My visit to St. Barts was a bit unsatisfactory, as Dr. Steele has now said he will monitor me but not consider any treatment until I have finished with the Prof.. Back to square one. The Prof. says my lymph nodes are now affected and he thinks I need full chemo, but Dr. Steele says it is unlikely to spread.
August is a busy month with several social events so we will not be able to get away for a break until September, but at least the weather is still pretty good.
I am delighted that my friend Debbie Brewer is able to have an operation for her TOF and this will stop the endless cycle of chest infections leading to pneumonia.
Today's painting is the last of the 'Door' group. It is of a blue Majorca Rustic doorway
We are off to Germany for treatment again on the 9th August and I hope that just one area is growing again. I guess I will find out. I don't know whether it will be chemoembolization, or chemoperfusion, the Prof. just said ' local intraarteiral in the involved areas' in his email.
We will be going by BA, so I hope they don't go on strike again.
I wonder how often I can have this treatment before it stops working any more? I know mesothelioma stops responding to chemotherapy drugs eventually.
There is a lot of research going on for a cure so hopefully something will be discovered whilst I am still fit enough to be treated.
I am so pleased that things seem to be working out for my lovely daughter Emily. She now has parts in a musical comedy in August and a show in Her Majesty's Theatre, Haymarket in September. In both parts she is singing, which is quite new for her as acting is her first choice.
My lovely grandson will be three on Wednesday, a birthday I thought I wouldn't see. 
Today's painting is a watercolour of a Mediterranean arched doorway.
