Another glorious day ...
Well, that was good, 3 days off in a row and plenty of sunshine to enjoy. It is a shame I cannot sit out in the sun anymore but now that I am completely hairless (on my head at least!) I daren't take the risk especially as I look a complete prat in a hat...
Finished the steroids thank God - I dread taking them they just make me feel agitated all day long and now have to deal with the 2 day come down.
After a 3 year wait we have finally got an allotment - that will teach him - it needs completely digging over and replanting .....
Tuesday, 12 October 2010
Thursday, 7 October 2010
Thursday
What a week...
Monday, pre chemo blood test and just felt rubbish - keep passing mirrors that reveal the lack of hair.
Tuesday went to work as normal but then someone got me involved in a discussion about my condition and that was it - floods of tears so off home for a hug and a weep.
Tuesday afternoon off to see Dr. O'Callaghan - bone marrow scan sort ok, but blood levels not ok for chemo must have another blood test tomorrow morning. Meet with radiography consultant and plan put in place staring 4 weeks after last chemo session.
Wednesday, early blood test and then chemo which starts very very late - no fun just hanging around .... then my take away pills are all wrong ....
Today back to normal and feeling sort of ok except the lower dose of steroids is not working.
Monday, pre chemo blood test and just felt rubbish - keep passing mirrors that reveal the lack of hair.
Tuesday went to work as normal but then someone got me involved in a discussion about my condition and that was it - floods of tears so off home for a hug and a weep.
Tuesday afternoon off to see Dr. O'Callaghan - bone marrow scan sort ok, but blood levels not ok for chemo must have another blood test tomorrow morning. Meet with radiography consultant and plan put in place staring 4 weeks after last chemo session.
Wednesday, early blood test and then chemo which starts very very late - no fun just hanging around .... then my take away pills are all wrong ....
Today back to normal and feeling sort of ok except the lower dose of steroids is not working.
Saturday, 2 October 2010
Saturday Morning
It was great to see everyone on Thursday evening at the Age Concern dinner but, I should not have gone, it was simply too much to cope with and I now realise that I am not as well as I thought.
For the first time since this all started my pillow was covered with hair so it is time for the inevitable and then home to some peace and quiet ......
For the first time since this all started my pillow was covered with hair so it is time for the inevitable and then home to some peace and quiet ......
Thursday, 30 September 2010
Thursday Morning
2 weeks since I had my first chemo and I thought I had got away without any problems ...
The shower tray tells a different story!!!
Looking forward to the Age Concern Charity Dinner & Auction this evening at the Portsmouth Harbour Yacht Club but hope to be able to sneak off early ..
A big 'THANK YOU' for all the kind messages and cards - they all mean a great deal xxx
The shower tray tells a different story!!!
Looking forward to the Age Concern Charity Dinner & Auction this evening at the Portsmouth Harbour Yacht Club but hope to be able to sneak off early ..
A big 'THANK YOU' for all the kind messages and cards - they all mean a great deal xxx
Tuesday, 28 September 2010
Tuesday Afternoon
It is great to receive those messages of support from true friends but it was really hard reading the messages that Roj has been writing telling our friends what is going on .... it really wasn't until I read the words he wrote that I realised how badly affected by all of this he is - I must do something!
Monday, 27 September 2010
Monday Afternoon
Well that was a great weekend ... loads of food and even managed to do my share of the cooking for a change! Still feeling ok except I could sleep for England and did not get up until 11 yesterday and was still asleep this morning when I should have been on my way to work - but who cares?
For the first time in my life I am actually going to get some benefit from all the insurance premiums I have paid out as the insurers have agreed to pay out on my critical illness and sickness policies!!!!
Now, should I have the 'flu jab that the GP is offering? Must ask Wendy ...
For the first time in my life I am actually going to get some benefit from all the insurance premiums I have paid out as the insurers have agreed to pay out on my critical illness and sickness policies!!!!
Now, should I have the 'flu jab that the GP is offering? Must ask Wendy ...
Wednesday, 22 September 2010
Tuesday Morning
So tired!!!
Wendy, my Nurse Specialist, telephones me in response to my email asking about the drugs I am taking each morning and explains what is going on - let's hope that the steroids wear off fast and I can get back to 'normal' .
Thanks Wendy for being so patient ....
Lovely sunny day so might just pack up early and have an early evening glass down in the Marina ...
Wendy, my Nurse Specialist, telephones me in response to my email asking about the drugs I am taking each morning and explains what is going on - let's hope that the steroids wear off fast and I can get back to 'normal' .
Thanks Wendy for being so patient ....
Lovely sunny day so might just pack up early and have an early evening glass down in the Marina ...
Tuesday, 21 September 2010
Tuesday Morning
Felt dreadful all day yesterday, just cannot concentrate, but after an afternoon snooze was raring and ready for an evening out with a great mate at her stunning flat in Gunwarf - it really was like being on holiday looking down at people just out strolling on a warm evening - fab evening xxx
Hoped this morning I was going to be great now that the steroids have finished but NO, just feel totally lethargic - got to get going somehow...
Hoped this morning I was going to be great now that the steroids have finished but NO, just feel totally lethargic - got to get going somehow...
Monday, 20 September 2010
Monday Morning
And I thought the steroids were supposed to give me somebody elses energy .. spent the whole of yesterday up down, in out, cannot sit, cannot read, cannot sleep - completely crap day ...
Took the last lot of streoids this morning and feel the same again ...
Took the last lot of streoids this morning and feel the same again ...
Saturday, 18 September 2010
Saturday Morning
The sun is shining and I am still feeling ok although finding it difficult to concentrate and beginning to feel crappy and crabby - may be just tired ... Dad has now taken to sending me cuttings out of the bloody Telegraph with items about cancer - great just what I want to read ...
Nice to get an email from Rupert - thanks buddy, I will reply soon...
Nice to get an email from Rupert - thanks buddy, I will reply soon...
Friday, 17 September 2010
Thursday, 16 September 2010
Thursday Morning
Oh happy days ..
That did not go too badly I suppose although everyone on the unit is stretched and overworked but thanks to Sally, Jeanette and of course Wendy.
Didn't like the fact that I was offered a wig as all my hair is going to fall out ...
On the unit for a couple of hours and the only real discomfort was the cannula and feeling a bit groggy when I left with loads of drugs to take over the next days.
Peaceful evening although having to get used to eating as though I was pregnant!! Very little sleep due to the steroids but am at work feeling reasonably ok except keep thinking abouth the crap response to all of this from my Dad after all I did for him after Mum died and when he had his heart op - you can choose your friends but not your family - thank God for the most wonderful partner in the world...
That did not go too badly I suppose although everyone on the unit is stretched and overworked but thanks to Sally, Jeanette and of course Wendy.
Didn't like the fact that I was offered a wig as all my hair is going to fall out ...
On the unit for a couple of hours and the only real discomfort was the cannula and feeling a bit groggy when I left with loads of drugs to take over the next days.
Peaceful evening although having to get used to eating as though I was pregnant!! Very little sleep due to the steroids but am at work feeling reasonably ok except keep thinking abouth the crap response to all of this from my Dad after all I did for him after Mum died and when he had his heart op - you can choose your friends but not your family - thank God for the most wonderful partner in the world...
Wednesday, 15 September 2010
Wednesday Morning
D-Day!
Had the haircut and will post a picture when I can workout how to download from my iphone ... it's bloody chilly with such a short haircut but at least it is low maintenance thanks to Vicky at Bostons and does not look too bad I suppose.
Went down to the kitchen this morning and the sight of the beautiful flowers I was sent yesterday brought tears to my eyes again - soppy sod - but it really was a very kind thing for someone to do.
Now it is just a waiting game until 2pm and the start of the chemo....
Had the haircut and will post a picture when I can workout how to download from my iphone ... it's bloody chilly with such a short haircut but at least it is low maintenance thanks to Vicky at Bostons and does not look too bad I suppose.
Went down to the kitchen this morning and the sight of the beautiful flowers I was sent yesterday brought tears to my eyes again - soppy sod - but it really was a very kind thing for someone to do.
Now it is just a waiting game until 2pm and the start of the chemo....
Tuesday, 14 September 2010
Tuesday Morning
Met Dr Elliott, my new GP, for the first time yesterday. Shame that I had to wait for over an hour beyond my appointment time but the wait was worth it. She is kind and lovely and has a sense of humour!
Seems like it will be a year before I am back to 'normal' once the treatment starts and so some 'happy' pills were prescribed to keep me sane (Roj wants some too but won't buy mine from me!)
Happy pills take a few weeks to kick in and might make me sick or give me a headache .. and the pharmacy attached to the surgery haven't got any stock - GREAT!
Another appointment made for 6 weeks time.
This morning I got a call from the lovely Claire at Titchfield Dental just to check up how I was ..
I don't beleive it .. a van has just pulled up outside and the most amazing bouquet of flowers has been delivered to me from Vicky at Appetite! Gourmet Cuisine who I work with - that's made me cry - Vicky you are so kind THANK YOU xx
Seems like it will be a year before I am back to 'normal' once the treatment starts and so some 'happy' pills were prescribed to keep me sane (Roj wants some too but won't buy mine from me!)
Happy pills take a few weeks to kick in and might make me sick or give me a headache .. and the pharmacy attached to the surgery haven't got any stock - GREAT!
Another appointment made for 6 weeks time.
This morning I got a call from the lovely Claire at Titchfield Dental just to check up how I was ..
I don't beleive it .. a van has just pulled up outside and the most amazing bouquet of flowers has been delivered to me from Vicky at Appetite! Gourmet Cuisine who I work with - that's made me cry - Vicky you are so kind THANK YOU xx
Monday, 13 September 2010
Monday Morning
A nearly great weekend, caught up with some friends whom I haven't seen for ages and generally chilled out - but then Sunday evening and the realisation of what this week means ...
The dreaded haircut tomorrow ready for the first session of chemo on Wednesday ...
I really did not want to resort to 'happy' pills but me thinks that today's appointment with the GP is going to have to address that issue as I do not want to keep breaking down and upsetting Roj ..
The dreaded haircut tomorrow ready for the first session of chemo on Wednesday ...
I really did not want to resort to 'happy' pills but me thinks that today's appointment with the GP is going to have to address that issue as I do not want to keep breaking down and upsetting Roj ..
Friday, 10 September 2010
Thursday Evening
Feel like rubbish - my back still hurts from the biopsy, my mouth hurts and I am starving but what can I eat??
Bowl of soup and then bed here I come.
Tomorrow is all mine ....
Bowl of soup and then bed here I come.
Tomorrow is all mine ....
Thursday Morning
Off to Titchfield Dentists for stuff that is I don't want to think about but they are all so kind and all the work is going to be done under sedation ....
Do not remember a bloody thing, just wobbling back to the car to get a lift home - feel really sorry for myself so off for a rest and a couple of painkillers ..
Do not remember a bloody thing, just wobbling back to the car to get a lift home - feel really sorry for myself so off for a rest and a couple of painkillers ..
Wednesday Afternoon
Long long wait... clinic is running nearly 2 hours behind schedule!!
Met the lovely Wendy and Dr O'Callaghan again and got most of the results.. 'The Thing' is not anywhere else so now we can plan the future - 3 lots of chemo over 9 weeks, a break and then radiotherapy - I suppose this is all good news - just doesn't feel like it at the moment.
Met the lovely Wendy and Dr O'Callaghan again and got most of the results.. 'The Thing' is not anywhere else so now we can plan the future - 3 lots of chemo over 9 weeks, a break and then radiotherapy - I suppose this is all good news - just doesn't feel like it at the moment.
Wednesday, 8 September 2010
Wednesday Morning
Well that was an interesting afternoon ..
Took the 2 'happy' pills at 12.30 and headed off for QA (not under my own steam). The instructions to find the Pathology Building are misleading to say the least and it is a long hike! When they re-modelled the QA did nobody think about patients who might suffer from vertigo?
Arrive at the Patholgy Unit and reception is SHUT - just a telephone and some misleading instructions, so just take a seat in anticipation ...
Eventually a (young) Registrar introduces himself as the person responsible for the afternoon's pain session and goes off to get organised. Few minutes later he comes back and says I am early and his assistant is still at lunch - oh well!
Finally get called in and off we go - lie on bedfacing the wall, knees up,loosen trousers, lift shirt and off we go. The Registrar is kind and explains every stage of the procedure - small scratch and then stinging from local anaesthetic, then a bit more pain as he takes the bone marrow - not actually too bad, but those 'happy' pills took the edge off. Plaster on, get dressed and off I go with a warning not to get the site wet for 24 hours.
THANK YOU Mr Registrar, you were great...
Whole evening and no pain from the procedure but must get access to some more 'happy' pills 'cos I actually feel ok in myself, calm and collected!!!
This morning the wound aches a bit and driving is not comfortable but otherwise ok and still feel chilled ...
Took the 2 'happy' pills at 12.30 and headed off for QA (not under my own steam). The instructions to find the Pathology Building are misleading to say the least and it is a long hike! When they re-modelled the QA did nobody think about patients who might suffer from vertigo?
Arrive at the Patholgy Unit and reception is SHUT - just a telephone and some misleading instructions, so just take a seat in anticipation ...
Eventually a (young) Registrar introduces himself as the person responsible for the afternoon's pain session and goes off to get organised. Few minutes later he comes back and says I am early and his assistant is still at lunch - oh well!
Finally get called in and off we go - lie on bedfacing the wall, knees up,loosen trousers, lift shirt and off we go. The Registrar is kind and explains every stage of the procedure - small scratch and then stinging from local anaesthetic, then a bit more pain as he takes the bone marrow - not actually too bad, but those 'happy' pills took the edge off. Plaster on, get dressed and off I go with a warning not to get the site wet for 24 hours.
THANK YOU Mr Registrar, you were great...
Whole evening and no pain from the procedure but must get access to some more 'happy' pills 'cos I actually feel ok in myself, calm and collected!!!
This morning the wound aches a bit and driving is not comfortable but otherwise ok and still feel chilled ...
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
Tuesday Morning
Well I survived the early start yesterday morning and had the PET scan at Southampton General - emm M27 at that time of the morning is no joke ..
PET scan unit is a mobile unit parked in the car park - quite a hike from the main entrance and the stairs up to the unit are very rickety and do not feel very safe. Whole experience fairly painless, unless like me you have a horror of needles, but Adam was caring and considerate so that helped!
On my way home yesterday I picked up the 'happy pills' to take an hour before today's bone marrow biopsy - now that I really am not looking forward to and wish I did not have to go through that one.
Whilst at the QA I popped into the Macmillan Centre to see if there was any more reading material - the ladies in there are so kind - might just go back soon and have a chat ...
Bad bad evening - felt like sxxt and just wept and wept.
PET scan unit is a mobile unit parked in the car park - quite a hike from the main entrance and the stairs up to the unit are very rickety and do not feel very safe. Whole experience fairly painless, unless like me you have a horror of needles, but Adam was caring and considerate so that helped!
On my way home yesterday I picked up the 'happy pills' to take an hour before today's bone marrow biopsy - now that I really am not looking forward to and wish I did not have to go through that one.
Whilst at the QA I popped into the Macmillan Centre to see if there was any more reading material - the ladies in there are so kind - might just go back soon and have a chat ...
Bad bad evening - felt like sxxt and just wept and wept.
Friday, 3 September 2010
Friday afternoon
Sxxt, do not know where this week has gone and am dreading next week! I think an early afternoon is in order and I will go home and try and master my new i phone 4 ...
Friday morning
Another day, another appointment - have to be at Southampton General at 08.15 for a PET Scan - cannot eat or drink for 6 hours before, whole process takes 2 hours, and I must avoid pregnant women and young children after the scan - SCARY!
I am not going to have time to work next week ... PET scan Monday; bone marrow biopsy Tuesday; Oncology clinic Wednesday; dentist Thursday - roll on Friday.
I am not going to have time to work next week ... PET scan Monday; bone marrow biopsy Tuesday; Oncology clinic Wednesday; dentist Thursday - roll on Friday.
Thursday afternoon
Great! Received a telephone call from the Oncology day unit - first session of chemo is on 15th September at 09.00 and will last all day!!
Now I know it is for real....
Now I know it is for real....
Thursday, 2 September 2010
Thursday morning
Back at the grindstone with loads of decisions made last night and with 5 days NHS free, time to put those decisions into action ....
Wednesday, 1 September 2010
Wednesday Afternoon
Well that was pleasant ... 12 vials of blood from my right arm and now it hurts like hell!
The sun is shining so me thinks it is time to sod of home and catch some sunshine on the balcony ....
The sun is shining so me thinks it is time to sod of home and catch some sunshine on the balcony ....
Saturday, 28 August 2010
A busy couple of days ...
Thursday another dreaded CT scan - actually not too bad this time except for having to drink a litre of cold water before the scan! Really nice radiographer put the line in my arm - I wonder if she had been primed??
Voicemail from Wendy telling me that the bone marrow biopsy is fixed for 7th September ouch ouch ..
Friday is a date with the lovely Clare at Titchfield Dental Health 'cos mouth has to be healthy before they start chemo - must take them some bubbles for making me go and check out 'the thing'...
Still worried what the outcome of the latest CT scan will be and whether Dr O'Callaghan will call...
Mobile rings whilst I am driving to the dentist - hoorah ...
'The Thing' has not spread .... now they need to do a PET scan ..
Sxxt mobile has gone dead - can't 'phone home with the news!!!
A weekend off from all matters relating to the NHS
Thursday another dreaded CT scan - actually not too bad this time except for having to drink a litre of cold water before the scan! Really nice radiographer put the line in my arm - I wonder if she had been primed??
Voicemail from Wendy telling me that the bone marrow biopsy is fixed for 7th September ouch ouch ..
Friday is a date with the lovely Clare at Titchfield Dental Health 'cos mouth has to be healthy before they start chemo - must take them some bubbles for making me go and check out 'the thing'...
Still worried what the outcome of the latest CT scan will be and whether Dr O'Callaghan will call...
Mobile rings whilst I am driving to the dentist - hoorah ...
'The Thing' has not spread .... now they need to do a PET scan ..
Sxxt mobile has gone dead - can't 'phone home with the news!!!
A weekend off from all matters relating to the NHS
Thursday, 26 August 2010
Forgot to mention ...
On Tuesday evening I received a letter about my Wednesday appointment ..
The letter is dated the 18th August, but posted on the 23rd for an apoointment on the 25th. If I had not made all those 'phone calls and if the postman hadn't been so efficient I would have missed all the 'fun' of yesterday!
On Tuesday evening I received a letter about my Wednesday appointment ..
The letter is dated the 18th August, but posted on the 23rd for an apoointment on the 25th. If I had not made all those 'phone calls and if the postman hadn't been so efficient I would have missed all the 'fun' of yesterday!
Wednesday afternoon and time for the Oncology department. The staff are great and there is a great sense of comardarie between the patients. Feel like a fish out of water. Wendy is there and tells me that the hospital General Manager is now aware of how badly I have been treated. A long wait and then finally seen by Dr Lee, the Registrar, who knows all the issues and spends some time apologising for the NHS.
He is great and understands my fears about having another CT scan that is scheduled for Thursday afternoon! They now have to find out if 'the thing' has spread to other lymph glands. Loads of questions, loads of info - all a bit of a haze - but it is treatable with chemo ...
Finally get to meet the lovely consultant Ann O'Callaghan who gives me a bit more info and promises to phone me on Friday afternoon once she has talked everything through with her colleagues in Southampton and that 'phone call will tell me exactly where 'the thing' is.
Five o'clock and I leave, but not before making an appointment with the clinic for 2 weeks time.
It is tipping down and I get soaked walking to the car park. Time to go home and absorb and share all the news ....
He is great and understands my fears about having another CT scan that is scheduled for Thursday afternoon! They now have to find out if 'the thing' has spread to other lymph glands. Loads of questions, loads of info - all a bit of a haze - but it is treatable with chemo ...
Finally get to meet the lovely consultant Ann O'Callaghan who gives me a bit more info and promises to phone me on Friday afternoon once she has talked everything through with her colleagues in Southampton and that 'phone call will tell me exactly where 'the thing' is.
Five o'clock and I leave, but not before making an appointment with the clinic for 2 weeks time.
It is tipping down and I get soaked walking to the car park. Time to go home and absorb and share all the news ....
The day of reckoning is finally here and it is tipping down with rain.....
The 1st appointment is for 10.15 and around 10.45 I finally get called in to come face to face with a Registrar who was a victim of my rant when I was in for the biopsy! Also there is a lovely lady called Wendy who is a Nurse Specialist. Mr Registrar starts off by reminding me that I had a biopsy and that I am there to hear the outcome.
Let me stop you there says I, and out comes the story of their ineptitude and how I know what the outcome is. Red faces and much blustering all round and final confirmation of what I already know.
Now a session with Wendy who hands me the appointment letter for the Oncology appointment that I am not supposed to know about and she spends some time explaining the processes.
Time for some more blood tests .....
The 1st appointment is for 10.15 and around 10.45 I finally get called in to come face to face with a Registrar who was a victim of my rant when I was in for the biopsy! Also there is a lovely lady called Wendy who is a Nurse Specialist. Mr Registrar starts off by reminding me that I had a biopsy and that I am there to hear the outcome.
Let me stop you there says I, and out comes the story of their ineptitude and how I know what the outcome is. Red faces and much blustering all round and final confirmation of what I already know.
Now a session with Wendy who hands me the appointment letter for the Oncology appointment that I am not supposed to know about and she spends some time explaining the processes.
Time for some more blood tests .....
Monday, 23 August 2010
Saturday, 21 August 2010
The Thing: Arrived home last night to find a letter from the ...
The Thing: Arrived home last night to find a letter from the ...: "Arrived home last night to find a letter from the hospital dated the day of my discharge - Friday the 13th - telling me that my next appoint..."
The Thing: The Thing... continued
The Thing: The Thing... continued: "Finally at 15.00 yesterday I received a text message telling me that I had an appointment with Portsmouth Hospital Trust on 25th August at 1..."
The Thing... continued
Finally at 15.00 yesterday I received a text message telling me that I had an appointment with Portsmouth Hospital Trust on 25th August at 15.00 and that if I wanted to change the appointment call such and such a number!
Not knowing who the appointment was with I called that number and discovered it was the Outpatients department. Oh, says I, I have just received a text message about an appointment - oh no, says woman on the 'phone - we do not send text messages - well I have a text message says I - finally she tells me that I have two appointments on the 25th ...
One at 10.15 with the 'boss' and one at 15.00 with the Oncology department!!!
Following my biopsy no-one has sat me down and mentioned the big 'C' word - but now I finally know don't I?
Thanks QA for showing such social skills in such a delicate situation - firstly lymphoma written on my discharge papers and now this - what next???
Not knowing who the appointment was with I called that number and discovered it was the Outpatients department. Oh, says I, I have just received a text message about an appointment - oh no, says woman on the 'phone - we do not send text messages - well I have a text message says I - finally she tells me that I have two appointments on the 25th ...
One at 10.15 with the 'boss' and one at 15.00 with the Oncology department!!!
Following my biopsy no-one has sat me down and mentioned the big 'C' word - but now I finally know don't I?
Thanks QA for showing such social skills in such a delicate situation - firstly lymphoma written on my discharge papers and now this - what next???
Friday, 20 August 2010
Arrived home last night to find a letter from the hospital dated the day of my discharge - Friday the 13th - telling me that my next appointment with the 'boss' is not until 7th September and yet my discharge paper says 23rd August !!
Have spent since 8.30 this morning trying to contact them to find out what is going on .... so far I have tried 31 times and all I get are the engaged tone or a voice message ....
Perhaps it is easier to get in the car and sort this out face to face so to speak ..
11.05 and I finally get to speak to a Manager who tells me that they have no staff to answer the 'phones!!!! Budget cuts???
The 'boss' is on holiday and that's why my next appointment i scheduled for 7th September but Manager person realises this must be wrong - she will investigate and call me back - still waiting ...
Have spent since 8.30 this morning trying to contact them to find out what is going on .... so far I have tried 31 times and all I get are the engaged tone or a voice message ....
Perhaps it is easier to get in the car and sort this out face to face so to speak ..
11.05 and I finally get to speak to a Manager who tells me that they have no staff to answer the 'phones!!!! Budget cuts???
The 'boss' is on holiday and that's why my next appointment i scheduled for 7th September but Manager person realises this must be wrong - she will investigate and call me back - still waiting ...
Thursday, 19 August 2010
Thursday - back from Westlands Medical Centre where the very caring Nurse Sally removed my stitches - she promised it wouldn't hurt and it didn't. Sally even managed to decipher the note about the PAB Clinic I referred to earlier - it transpires that this is the clinic run by the 'boss' ...
More later
More later
Wednesday, 18 August 2010
The Thing
'The Thing' started with a visit to the wonderful folk at Titchfield Dental Centre. I am petrified of dentists but had finally been convinced that I could handle it after being re-assured by Sharon and her colleagues and so on the 14th July I had an appointment with the exceptionally kind Clare Chavasse.
The upshot was that Clare found a lump on my neck that she thought I should get checked out as soon as possible and this is the story of 'The Thing' ....
One Friday morning, two days before my 60th birthday, I received a call on my mobile at 08.30 just as I was pulling into my car parking space at work - PANIC - it was the QA hospital in Portsmouth wanting me to go in that day for an appointment with the Maxillofacial Outpatient Department - I will call you back says I - but then discovered that the 'phone number was unrecognised, so after many attempts finally managed to make contact with the person who had called me and an appointment was made for the following Tuesday ...
My birthday came and went in a haze and finally Tuesday arrives and I find myself in the 'maxfax' clinic with a Registrar poking around my neck and mouth; after a while he disappears to consult the boss! The 'boss' (Professor Brennan)comes in, introduces himself and has a poke around 'The Thing' and immediately tells me that they have to eliminate the obvious and would I be so kind to step into his room where he proposes to insert a needle into 'The Thing' and take some cell samples - I HATE NEEDLES!!
I am then advised that I will need a CT scan and some sort of day surgery which will involve a probe going down my throat ...
2 days later and another 'phone call at work - shit - the 'boss' wants to do the surgery the next day - can I get cover at work - no, I am self-employed and need a bit more notice, so CT scan set for the Wednesday and surgery for the Thursday - a great week ahead and plenty of tears over the weekend...
The day of the CT scan arrives and I arrive early but am seen straight away - I will not bore you with the gory details, suffice it to say that the whole process and especially the insertion of the cannula was very painful - still got the bruises ...
Op day arrives and I am dropped of at the hospital with a 'See you later'. Carrying my bag with the prescribed dressing gown (purchased especially the day before) flip-flops and reading material I nervously head for Theatre Admissions ....
The staff were great and understood my nervousness but a pre-med could not be administered 'cos they did not have a trolley to take me to the theatre - you have to leg it! At 2pm I was collected and walked to theatre and met the 'boss' again all done up in a surgeon's gown - he was going to do the op which by now included a procedure to take a sample of 'The Thing' from my neck!
A very reassuring anaesthetist explained everything and then ...... SLEEP
The next thing I know is waking up in the recovery room with a drain pipe in my neck but feeling fine - no promised sore throat. After a while I am moved to what I thought was the discharge ward - haha - not that easy. My bag is on the discharge ward but I clearly am not and it seems that there is little chance of this turning out to be day surgery.
Forced to eat hospital bangers and mash (if you do not eat you are not going home) and I am a veggie! My partner has no idea where I am 'cos the only contact number I left behind was the discharge ward and they have my bag but not me and my mobile is in my bag. Eventually a kind nurse from the discharge ward finds me and brings my bag and an urgent message to phone my partner...
10pm and 'No you cannot go home 'cos 'The Thing' is still leaking into Fido the bottle attached to you - GREAT. Luckily I have a good book, The Girl Who Played With Fire, and spent the whole night reading...
Friday morning - yipee I can go home, but not before the removal of the drain (very painful) and a prescription for some eye ointment (?) that I have to rub on my wound 3 times a day! Left that behind.
Stitches out in a week and two appointments the week after that with PAB Clinic(?) and Multi Discipline Team - ah 'The Thing' has just become reality and I find the word Lympthoma on some of the discharge paperwork !!!! SHIT
Like so many people I have moved house and never thought to change my GP - so a visit to my 'old' GP is required in an attempt to persuade them to at least take out my stitches. NO CHANCE - the receptionist had obviously not had her daily happy pill and there was no way she was going to show any compassion.
Back home and try and find a new GP - spot signpost for the Westland Medical Centre two minutes from home, pull in and 20 mins later am registered and have an appointment for tomorrow to have my stitches out.
To be continued
The upshot was that Clare found a lump on my neck that she thought I should get checked out as soon as possible and this is the story of 'The Thing' ....
One Friday morning, two days before my 60th birthday, I received a call on my mobile at 08.30 just as I was pulling into my car parking space at work - PANIC - it was the QA hospital in Portsmouth wanting me to go in that day for an appointment with the Maxillofacial Outpatient Department - I will call you back says I - but then discovered that the 'phone number was unrecognised, so after many attempts finally managed to make contact with the person who had called me and an appointment was made for the following Tuesday ...
My birthday came and went in a haze and finally Tuesday arrives and I find myself in the 'maxfax' clinic with a Registrar poking around my neck and mouth; after a while he disappears to consult the boss! The 'boss' (Professor Brennan)comes in, introduces himself and has a poke around 'The Thing' and immediately tells me that they have to eliminate the obvious and would I be so kind to step into his room where he proposes to insert a needle into 'The Thing' and take some cell samples - I HATE NEEDLES!!
I am then advised that I will need a CT scan and some sort of day surgery which will involve a probe going down my throat ...
2 days later and another 'phone call at work - shit - the 'boss' wants to do the surgery the next day - can I get cover at work - no, I am self-employed and need a bit more notice, so CT scan set for the Wednesday and surgery for the Thursday - a great week ahead and plenty of tears over the weekend...
The day of the CT scan arrives and I arrive early but am seen straight away - I will not bore you with the gory details, suffice it to say that the whole process and especially the insertion of the cannula was very painful - still got the bruises ...
Op day arrives and I am dropped of at the hospital with a 'See you later'. Carrying my bag with the prescribed dressing gown (purchased especially the day before) flip-flops and reading material I nervously head for Theatre Admissions ....
The staff were great and understood my nervousness but a pre-med could not be administered 'cos they did not have a trolley to take me to the theatre - you have to leg it! At 2pm I was collected and walked to theatre and met the 'boss' again all done up in a surgeon's gown - he was going to do the op which by now included a procedure to take a sample of 'The Thing' from my neck!
A very reassuring anaesthetist explained everything and then ...... SLEEP
The next thing I know is waking up in the recovery room with a drain pipe in my neck but feeling fine - no promised sore throat. After a while I am moved to what I thought was the discharge ward - haha - not that easy. My bag is on the discharge ward but I clearly am not and it seems that there is little chance of this turning out to be day surgery.
Forced to eat hospital bangers and mash (if you do not eat you are not going home) and I am a veggie! My partner has no idea where I am 'cos the only contact number I left behind was the discharge ward and they have my bag but not me and my mobile is in my bag. Eventually a kind nurse from the discharge ward finds me and brings my bag and an urgent message to phone my partner...
10pm and 'No you cannot go home 'cos 'The Thing' is still leaking into Fido the bottle attached to you - GREAT. Luckily I have a good book, The Girl Who Played With Fire, and spent the whole night reading...
Friday morning - yipee I can go home, but not before the removal of the drain (very painful) and a prescription for some eye ointment (?) that I have to rub on my wound 3 times a day! Left that behind.
Stitches out in a week and two appointments the week after that with PAB Clinic(?) and Multi Discipline Team - ah 'The Thing' has just become reality and I find the word Lympthoma on some of the discharge paperwork !!!! SHIT
Like so many people I have moved house and never thought to change my GP - so a visit to my 'old' GP is required in an attempt to persuade them to at least take out my stitches. NO CHANCE - the receptionist had obviously not had her daily happy pill and there was no way she was going to show any compassion.
Back home and try and find a new GP - spot signpost for the Westland Medical Centre two minutes from home, pull in and 20 mins later am registered and have an appointment for tomorrow to have my stitches out.
To be continued
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