Moscow calling – day three

Wednesday marks the halfway point in my journey of tests and clinical assessment at the AA Maximov centre in Moscow. Of course, I am looking forward to getting the results, although the MRI scan results are known already.

The programme of tests is not complete yet but most are now behind me.

Yesterday was the most intensive day of the week, with tests on my urine and blood, lungs, x-rays, ultrasound and the 24-hour cardiac monitor that was removed in my room this morning before I even got out of bed.

My left knee gave way last night, in my room, meaning that there was a close encounter with the floor. This is nothing unusual for me but it caused consternation among the staff, one of whom was just passing my door when It happened. Even though it was nothing out of the ordinary for me, it was still the first thing that Dr Fedorenko talked about when he visited me this morning.

More importantly, part of that discussion concerned the results of my MRI scan from two days ago. It’s important to remember that this was the first such test since my diagnosis 14 years ago.

The scan showed lesions, some quite large he said, but added that they are not active.

Active lesions, those that are just forming or expanding, can cause a wide variety of symptoms, depending on where they are located and how big they are. Inactive means exactly that, they are not growing and so the MS symptoms should not be increasing nor worsening significantly.

I know that results of the MRI scan mean that HSCT is unlikely for me, as active lesions are almost always a prerequisite of the treatment. Still, news that there are no active lesions needs to be looked at positively.

Dr F is not expecting my symptoms to deteriorate quickly or at any time soon.

Another positive outcome of this series of tests is that I will have received the most thorough, most comprehensive, health check of my life so far. I say ‘will have’ because they are not finished yet.

More news tomorrow.

50shadesofsun.com is the personal website of Ian Franks, who is Managing Editor (columns division) of BioNews Services. BioNews is owner of 50 disease-specific news and information websites – including MS News Today. Ian has enjoyed a successful career as a journalist, from reporter to editor, in the print media. During that career he gained a Journalist of the Year award in his native UK. He was diagnosed with MS in 2002 but continued working until mobility problems forced him to retire early in late 2006. He now lives in the south of Spain. Besides MS, Ian is also able to write about both epilepsy and cardiovascular matters from a patient’s perspective and is a keen advocate on mobility and accessibility issues.

 

 

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