Last night

I went out for a curry last night with Robert and Peter (someone I know vaguely on a mailing list but hadn't previously met). Robert's moving house but about to let his, so depending on timing I might be moving to Heaton Chapel. I'll post more details about that once it's confirmed, but it will eventually mean cheaper living because, though living in Fallowfield is convenient and entertaining enough, it is quite expensive.

This weekend I've done nothing but stay in and have relaxing me-time. I do hope to be out sometime soon, particularly to go clubbing as I've not been for far too long. I have spent vast amounts of time chatting to people online - moreso than usual that is - and reading articles on Wikipedia. My main area of reading has been the mechanical construction of various musical instruments. Earlier tonight I made my first contribution, in the form of an addition to the CowParade article.

Doctor's appointment tomorrow morning to get the results I've been waiting for. *fingers crossed*

Results of my MRI scan

Time line of the story at: http://www.livejournal.com/users/matthewp/157130.html

I have a 12cm x 6cm tumour on my right sciatic nerve. It's largely benign.
This much I knew.

It's not a plexiform neurofibroma which I first thought. I've forgotten the word used (and will research it later when I've finished work), but I've been referred for neurosurgery at Hope Hospital.

(Update @ 2004-09-11 T 1500: It's a schwannoma)

I have a genetics 'counselling' appointment in two weeks to discuss my options and to decide whether or not I would like to go down that route.

I'd like to find out more about the risks; research and instinct tells me that if the surgery goes wrong it could cause walking difficulties. OK, so I'm being melodramatic, but I'd like to find out the real issues. If the risk is too great I'll not go for the surgery. It's benign and there is no residual pain. (It's only sensitive to pressure and I've learned to deal with that - for example by crossing my legs at the ankles when sitting to keep the weight off that leg)