Many thanks for the input/replies.I've never been a smoker,am not by any means a heavy drinker and am reasonably fit for a 50 year-old,so my diagnosis came as bit of a shock.My sport background probably made me think I was immune to these things.
My original post re. size of ulcer indicated circumference- it should say diameter-duh!
For anybody reading this who's not had their CT scan yet - it was no big deal.Straightforward canula in the arm and then just a series of x-rays with dye being pumped into your system as they moved you horizontally through the machine.Made me feel pretty hot in the chest/bladder area but it was just a temporary sensation for 30 secs or so.I did black out/faint in the waiting room afterwards about 2 minutes after they removed the canula, which caused a bit of a drama and was detained for a couple of hours while they checked me out.I dont have any issues with needles but was told it was probably the stress involved and low blood sugar as my appetite isn't what it was.Felt a little tired/unwell for the rest of the day and still not 100% this morning but it is manageable.
Recommend you take someone with you to these scans - I was on my own due to work issues at home and was potentially 'marooned' if I couldn't have driven home.
Will provide update next week re. MRI scan experience - hopefully drama free.
Incidentally, the staff were exceptional.