Funny day today - it's all getting a bit close and I think that is dawning on me. One thing I did last week was to visit a solicitor to make a will - not that I'm planning on not waking up from the surgery, but it seemed to be a sensible precaution - you've got to do it sometime, and just before major surgery seems as good a time as any. However, its a bit of a funny feeling opening a letter containing a document called "Last Will and Testament, Colin Stuart Robb"!
I think it will probably start affecting me even more as the week goes on - the chemo started so quickly I didn't really have any time to think about it, but the surgery is a bit more of a definite date, and reminds me a bit of the weeks leading up to my O and A levels (see how old I am??).
However, I think I am coming to terms with it the more I think about it - the body is pretty good at adapting to its situation, so I guess I'll get used to the inevitable strange feelings after I wake up. I sort of want to get it over with though - without wishing my life away in the process.
I must stop watching the football too - Spurs threw away another match in the last few minutes again today - it really doesn't help my mood! :(
Tomorrow I will be more positive and upbeat. Definitely.
Saturday 31 January 2009
Friday 30 January 2009
Friday 30th January 2009
No developments today - it's a case of gearing up for the surgery now. I've got to start thinking of all the preparation I need to do - like financial stuff and phsically moving things around so that everything is as convenient as possible for me when I get out of hospital and trying to reduce the burden on Vanda as much as possible.
I guess there are going to be support services available to us of some kind - I suppose there will be a need for people to visit to change wound dressings etc, but we will need to look into that next week.
And thank goodness for the Internet - ordering stuff to be delivered is the best development of modern times - no chasing around shops looking for stuff. If I'm not going to be able to drive for months that is really going to make a difference - that reminds me, I need to order some more Nespresso coffee!
Thanks once again for all the best wishes since the scan on Monday - it's a shame that due to the surgery being moved forward, I don't have the time to do the visiting that I had planned, but at least now that it is happening, I will hopefully be able to do the visit later in the year, cancer-free!
Cheers,
C
I guess there are going to be support services available to us of some kind - I suppose there will be a need for people to visit to change wound dressings etc, but we will need to look into that next week.
And thank goodness for the Internet - ordering stuff to be delivered is the best development of modern times - no chasing around shops looking for stuff. If I'm not going to be able to drive for months that is really going to make a difference - that reminds me, I need to order some more Nespresso coffee!
Thanks once again for all the best wishes since the scan on Monday - it's a shame that due to the surgery being moved forward, I don't have the time to do the visiting that I had planned, but at least now that it is happening, I will hopefully be able to do the visit later in the year, cancer-free!
Cheers,
C
Thursday 29 January 2009
Thursday 29th January 2009
Sorry for the lack of a blog entry yesterday, I was busy all day and evening and didn't get a chance.
Just had final confirmation this morning that the surgery will be going ahead as planned which is good news (I think! :).
nothing else today as I'm feeling a little delicate after making friends with a bottle of wine or two at the dinner last night!
Just had final confirmation this morning that the surgery will be going ahead as planned which is good news (I think! :).
nothing else today as I'm feeling a little delicate after making friends with a bottle of wine or two at the dinner last night!
Tuesday 27 January 2009
Tuesday 27th January 2009
Blogging on the move again. On the train to London.
No updates today so far, but I'm not expecting anything til tomorrow anyway.
Today has been all about getting my act together to go away for a couple of days. Up til November, this was routine, but I'm so out of practice it was like packing for a two-week holiday! I'm sure I've forgotten something important! Oh well, I'm sure I'll cope, I'm a big boy now!
See you tomorrow ...
No updates today so far, but I'm not expecting anything til tomorrow anyway.
Today has been all about getting my act together to go away for a couple of days. Up til November, this was routine, but I'm so out of practice it was like packing for a two-week holiday! I'm sure I've forgotten something important! Oh well, I'm sure I'll cope, I'm a big boy now!
See you tomorrow ...
Monday 26 January 2009
Monday 26th January 2009 - Quick update
Hi All,
I've just had a call from the radiographer. The scans were all good enough to see the required detail (so no return trip to Bradford required), and he's confirmed that the liver is clear and that there is no sign of anything untoward at the place where the PET scan was showing the rogue nodule.
So it sounds as though everything is go for surgery and a positive outcome. I will get final confirmation on Wednesday, but that's extremely good news.
Cheers
C x
I've just had a call from the radiographer. The scans were all good enough to see the required detail (so no return trip to Bradford required), and he's confirmed that the liver is clear and that there is no sign of anything untoward at the place where the PET scan was showing the rogue nodule.
So it sounds as though everything is go for surgery and a positive outcome. I will get final confirmation on Wednesday, but that's extremely good news.
Cheers
C x
Monday 26th January 2009
So it was Plan B.
BUPA declined the Bradford scan outright, so I've spent the afternoon/evening at the Yorkshire Clinic in Bingley.
I've had an MRI before on my neck, and that took 10 minutes. This time I had to wait an hour, then was in the scanner for nearly an hour an a half for the first process. I then had the second contrast injected and had another half an hour wait whilst that got through to the liver, followed by another 30 minutes in the scanner! Quite a long process, and no food since 10am!!
The radiographer has now zoomed off to Bradford again to compare the scan with my original CT scans and will talk to the surgeon tomorrow. It all comes up again at the Wednesday MDT meeting, and I should finally get the go/no-go decision then.
One bit of good news - they don't charge separately for the various scans, so the fact that I had 2 sessions and two hours on the scanner would be the same cost as a simple 10 minute scan (around £550 or so). I might have to pay extra for the contrast, but if I do have to have another scan in Bradford, it will be significantly cheaper than I anticipated. I don't think its going to come to that though - the radiographer didn't say anything one way or another, but didn't appear concerned about the quality of the scan.
Off to London on the train tomorrow for a work event on Wednesday, which will be my first time away from home since October I think. Will be a nice break!
Cheers all.
BUPA declined the Bradford scan outright, so I've spent the afternoon/evening at the Yorkshire Clinic in Bingley.
I've had an MRI before on my neck, and that took 10 minutes. This time I had to wait an hour, then was in the scanner for nearly an hour an a half for the first process. I then had the second contrast injected and had another half an hour wait whilst that got through to the liver, followed by another 30 minutes in the scanner! Quite a long process, and no food since 10am!!
The radiographer has now zoomed off to Bradford again to compare the scan with my original CT scans and will talk to the surgeon tomorrow. It all comes up again at the Wednesday MDT meeting, and I should finally get the go/no-go decision then.
One bit of good news - they don't charge separately for the various scans, so the fact that I had 2 sessions and two hours on the scanner would be the same cost as a simple 10 minute scan (around £550 or so). I might have to pay extra for the contrast, but if I do have to have another scan in Bradford, it will be significantly cheaper than I anticipated. I don't think its going to come to that though - the radiographer didn't say anything one way or another, but didn't appear concerned about the quality of the scan.
Off to London on the train tomorrow for a work event on Wednesday, which will be my first time away from home since October I think. Will be a nice break!
Cheers all.
Sunday 25 January 2009
Sunday 25th January 2009
Today brings good news!
I texted my radiographer today to see if we could have a chat first thing tomorrow, and he phoned me straight back (on a Sunday - great service!)
He told me that he had spent one and a half hours on the phone to BUPA on my behalf on Friday and thinks their position is disgraceful. He has been a BUPA partner for 10 years and has only occasionally come across similar obstinance. However, he has requested that my case be escalated within BUPA and expects a decision from the higher authorities sometime around 10am tomorrow morning. He thinks it is about 50:50 that they will give us the green light or not. If they do, then it's back on track with the original Plan A.
In the meantime however, he has managed to get me an alternative appointment at the Yorkshire Clinic (definitely covered by BUPA!) at 3pm tomorrow afternoon, and we'll switch to that as plan B if BUPA say no in the morning.
Apparently, because this scaner is older, the results are sometimes (but not always) not as clear as from the Bradford scanner. It's a bit of potluck apparently. He did a scan there last week and it was fine.
So if Plan B comes into play, there is still a good chance that the scan will come out ok, and again we are back on track.
However, if the scan is not clear enough, then we move on to Plan C, which is to rebook a further scan at Bradford and for me to probably pay for it (although maybe we then have a case for going back to BUPA with the "I told you so" argument). Either way, we have two chances of everything working out ok before the possibility of having to cough up personally.
All-in-all very good news - I will definitely have a scan tomorrow, at one or other of the hospitals!
Again, I'm really impressed with the committment of my medical team - considering I have never actually met my radiographer (and may well not meet him tomorrow - they tend to stay in the little room separate from the scanner), he has been fighting my cause admirably!
On another note, the gig was fun last night. It was actually Widnes, not Wigan, but to me it's the same thing (anyone from Wigan/Widnes care to give me any abuse?) Oddly it was a 21st birthday party - we've done a few of those in the past and we always wonder why they book a band like us, as we probably don't play anything that was a hit since the audience was born (we are mostly 70's and 80's) - still they seemed to like it enough, and it's nice once in a while for us geriatrics to "get with the kids"!
Will probably go to the gym later, which will be the 5th day in a row - a lifetime record (by 3 days actually) - it's amazing what happens to your motivation when you have a genuine reason to get fit(ter)!
See you ...
[a happier] Colin x
I texted my radiographer today to see if we could have a chat first thing tomorrow, and he phoned me straight back (on a Sunday - great service!)
He told me that he had spent one and a half hours on the phone to BUPA on my behalf on Friday and thinks their position is disgraceful. He has been a BUPA partner for 10 years and has only occasionally come across similar obstinance. However, he has requested that my case be escalated within BUPA and expects a decision from the higher authorities sometime around 10am tomorrow morning. He thinks it is about 50:50 that they will give us the green light or not. If they do, then it's back on track with the original Plan A.
In the meantime however, he has managed to get me an alternative appointment at the Yorkshire Clinic (definitely covered by BUPA!) at 3pm tomorrow afternoon, and we'll switch to that as plan B if BUPA say no in the morning.
Apparently, because this scaner is older, the results are sometimes (but not always) not as clear as from the Bradford scanner. It's a bit of potluck apparently. He did a scan there last week and it was fine.
So if Plan B comes into play, there is still a good chance that the scan will come out ok, and again we are back on track.
However, if the scan is not clear enough, then we move on to Plan C, which is to rebook a further scan at Bradford and for me to probably pay for it (although maybe we then have a case for going back to BUPA with the "I told you so" argument). Either way, we have two chances of everything working out ok before the possibility of having to cough up personally.
All-in-all very good news - I will definitely have a scan tomorrow, at one or other of the hospitals!
Again, I'm really impressed with the committment of my medical team - considering I have never actually met my radiographer (and may well not meet him tomorrow - they tend to stay in the little room separate from the scanner), he has been fighting my cause admirably!
On another note, the gig was fun last night. It was actually Widnes, not Wigan, but to me it's the same thing (anyone from Wigan/Widnes care to give me any abuse?) Oddly it was a 21st birthday party - we've done a few of those in the past and we always wonder why they book a band like us, as we probably don't play anything that was a hit since the audience was born (we are mostly 70's and 80's) - still they seemed to like it enough, and it's nice once in a while for us geriatrics to "get with the kids"!
Will probably go to the gym later, which will be the 5th day in a row - a lifetime record (by 3 days actually) - it's amazing what happens to your motivation when you have a genuine reason to get fit(ter)!
See you ...
[a happier] Colin x
Saturday 24 January 2009
Saturday 24th January 2009
To everyone who left me a comment yesterday offering to help with the cost of the scan ...
Folks, your generosity knows no bounds, and I am most grateful and genuinely touched!
It's not the actual cost that bothers me though (Vanda reminded me last night that I spent more than that on a telly not too many weeks ago - fair point, well made!) It's the principle that is so irritating. It's like getting ripped off - it's not the loss of cash that gets you angry its the sense of indignation!
I'm quite a letter writer - I get a bee in my bonnet about things and sometimes pursue them to the bitter end even if it is a relatively small matter (it took me three separate letters to get out of a parking fine in Harrogate, but I wasn't going to let them get the better of me)! I think I will bring this into play this time.
I plan to check with my consultant on Monday morning whether this really is a big deal or not, and if it is, I will cough up for the scan in Bradford, then retrospectively give BUPA hell!
Once again though, I can't say how much your offers mean to me - thanks again!
Also thanks to quite a few folks who have contacted me by various means recently to say that they are following the blog on a regular basis - I wasn't sure if the novelty was wearing off a bit now, but I will definitely keep it up (except for maybe a day or two when I'm in intensive care, but we'll see ;)!
Off to the gig at Wigan Rugby Club now (unfortunately the rugby Union club, not the rugby League club - somewhat less salubrious I imagine!)
Cheers all!
Folks, your generosity knows no bounds, and I am most grateful and genuinely touched!
It's not the actual cost that bothers me though (Vanda reminded me last night that I spent more than that on a telly not too many weeks ago - fair point, well made!) It's the principle that is so irritating. It's like getting ripped off - it's not the loss of cash that gets you angry its the sense of indignation!
I'm quite a letter writer - I get a bee in my bonnet about things and sometimes pursue them to the bitter end even if it is a relatively small matter (it took me three separate letters to get out of a parking fine in Harrogate, but I wasn't going to let them get the better of me)! I think I will bring this into play this time.
I plan to check with my consultant on Monday morning whether this really is a big deal or not, and if it is, I will cough up for the scan in Bradford, then retrospectively give BUPA hell!
Once again though, I can't say how much your offers mean to me - thanks again!
Also thanks to quite a few folks who have contacted me by various means recently to say that they are following the blog on a regular basis - I wasn't sure if the novelty was wearing off a bit now, but I will definitely keep it up (except for maybe a day or two when I'm in intensive care, but we'll see ;)!
Off to the gig at Wigan Rugby Club now (unfortunately the rugby Union club, not the rugby League club - somewhat less salubrious I imagine!)
Cheers all!
Friday 23 January 2009
Friday 23rd January 2009
Not very happy at the moment. I have this scan booked in for Monday, but BUPA are refusing to cover me for it and insisting I have it at a different hospital.
Apparently the difference is that the Bradford scanner is new, and the images are generally better quality because of this. According to BUPA, this is not a valid medical reason to have it at Bradford as the specification of the scanners at the two hospitals is the same, although it is recognised that the images are better from the newer unit. If they were different specifications that would be ok, but as they are not, the fact that one works better than the other is not relevant in their minds.
This leaves me with two options:
1) If they can get an appointment at the other hospital quickly enough, do I take it and accept that the scan may not be as detailed as the Bradford scan would have been (I'll speak to my consultant about this)
2) Or do I pay for this myself - I don't know how much yet, but apparently it is a detailed scan so will be very expensive. Of course when it is your health, money becomes no object, but it makes a mockery of health insurance in the first place and is a matter of principle.
I can understand insurance companies haggling over minor details when we're talking about car insurance, but when it is a matter as critical as this, I hate the fact that some guy at BUPA is weighing up numbers. How do these people sleep at night?
So this is going to go down to the wire - last minute phone calls on Monday morning to see where we end up. Man this is frustrating, and exactly what I don't need!
Sorry, will hopefully be a bit more cheerful tomorrow - last gig with the band til after surgery, so i'm looking forward to that.
C
Apparently the difference is that the Bradford scanner is new, and the images are generally better quality because of this. According to BUPA, this is not a valid medical reason to have it at Bradford as the specification of the scanners at the two hospitals is the same, although it is recognised that the images are better from the newer unit. If they were different specifications that would be ok, but as they are not, the fact that one works better than the other is not relevant in their minds.
This leaves me with two options:
1) If they can get an appointment at the other hospital quickly enough, do I take it and accept that the scan may not be as detailed as the Bradford scan would have been (I'll speak to my consultant about this)
2) Or do I pay for this myself - I don't know how much yet, but apparently it is a detailed scan so will be very expensive. Of course when it is your health, money becomes no object, but it makes a mockery of health insurance in the first place and is a matter of principle.
I can understand insurance companies haggling over minor details when we're talking about car insurance, but when it is a matter as critical as this, I hate the fact that some guy at BUPA is weighing up numbers. How do these people sleep at night?
So this is going to go down to the wire - last minute phone calls on Monday morning to see where we end up. Man this is frustrating, and exactly what I don't need!
Sorry, will hopefully be a bit more cheerful tomorrow - last gig with the band til after surgery, so i'm looking forward to that.
C
Thursday 22 January 2009
Thursday 22nd January 2009
Big, scary news this morning.
My surgery has been brought forward to fit in with my surgeon's holiday plans, so it will now be on Monday 9th February (I will go into hospital on Sunday 8th)
I originally had a free week that week to get my head ready, but now I have things on until the Thursday before so it's all a bit imminent for my liking. Doesn't give me much time to get my affairs in order, and even less time to get vaguely fit again.
All in all, not the news I wanted, but I suppose you can't postpone the inevitable for ever.
To add to my mood, football was terrible last night. Somehow Spurs scraped through, but did not deserve it. By the end I wanted Burnley to win. The way we are playing at the moment we will get thrashed in the final, but at least Burnley would have enjoyed the occasion win or lose, whereas I don't think we deserve to be there. I couldn't imagine how we could throw away a 4-1 lead, but we did (at odds of 100-1 against, according to the bookies). A couple of goals in the last three minutes of extra time allowed us to claw it back, but it was a shameful display, and I'm not proud to be a Spurs fan this morning :(
Need something to cheer me up today ...
My surgery has been brought forward to fit in with my surgeon's holiday plans, so it will now be on Monday 9th February (I will go into hospital on Sunday 8th)
I originally had a free week that week to get my head ready, but now I have things on until the Thursday before so it's all a bit imminent for my liking. Doesn't give me much time to get my affairs in order, and even less time to get vaguely fit again.
All in all, not the news I wanted, but I suppose you can't postpone the inevitable for ever.
To add to my mood, football was terrible last night. Somehow Spurs scraped through, but did not deserve it. By the end I wanted Burnley to win. The way we are playing at the moment we will get thrashed in the final, but at least Burnley would have enjoyed the occasion win or lose, whereas I don't think we deserve to be there. I couldn't imagine how we could throw away a 4-1 lead, but we did (at odds of 100-1 against, according to the bookies). A couple of goals in the last three minutes of extra time allowed us to claw it back, but it was a shameful display, and I'm not proud to be a Spurs fan this morning :(
Need something to cheer me up today ...
Wednesday 21 January 2009
Wednesday 21st January 2009
Just could not get out of bed this morning - no idea why!
Still, I have been to the gym (OMG how hard was that after 2 months off!) and had a shower, so things are reasonably back to normal for a while.
I am conscious however, that if things were completely normal, I would be in Helsinki at the moment where it is 1 degree (as opposed to 2 degrees here) having just presented at a conference. Not sure if I'm glad to be home or missing the travel though ...
Thanks for all the good wishes about the surgery. I was thinking about it a bit last night, and I don't think it is the surgery itself I am worried about, or the scar etc, it's the unknown of what it will feel like to swallow (especially at first) and how life will be with a long thin stomach. Eating and drinking are two of my favourite pleasures, and I am very worried that I won't be able to enjoy meals out so much, or pints of Timothy Taylor's in the pub. I guess whatever it is like, I will eventually get used to it, but it is this stuff which concerns me rather than the physical act of the surgery itself (although I can't say I'm looking forward to that!)
No resolution on the insurance front for the scan on Monday yet - consultant is supposed to be sending a fax to BUPA to say that there are medical reasons why the scan has to be in Bradford, and BUPA have indicated that this should allow them to cover it, but that process hasn't happened yet, so things are dragging on a little.
Went to the dentist today and saw a different lady from usual as my usual dentist is still off on mat leave. Today's dentist was utterley bonkers and insisted on singing "We Built This City" really loud about 2 inches from my face whilst she was poking around! Very friendly and happy though, so go for it I say!
Good luck to President Obama by the way - he's going to need it, but I wish him all the best!
Looking forward to tonight to see if Spurs can, for once, avoid throwing away a 4-1 lead in the second leg of the League Cup semis against Burnley. Surely this one's in the bag ... surely ... (I'd be confident if it was any team but Spurs!) :(
Cheers
Still, I have been to the gym (OMG how hard was that after 2 months off!) and had a shower, so things are reasonably back to normal for a while.
I am conscious however, that if things were completely normal, I would be in Helsinki at the moment where it is 1 degree (as opposed to 2 degrees here) having just presented at a conference. Not sure if I'm glad to be home or missing the travel though ...
Thanks for all the good wishes about the surgery. I was thinking about it a bit last night, and I don't think it is the surgery itself I am worried about, or the scar etc, it's the unknown of what it will feel like to swallow (especially at first) and how life will be with a long thin stomach. Eating and drinking are two of my favourite pleasures, and I am very worried that I won't be able to enjoy meals out so much, or pints of Timothy Taylor's in the pub. I guess whatever it is like, I will eventually get used to it, but it is this stuff which concerns me rather than the physical act of the surgery itself (although I can't say I'm looking forward to that!)
No resolution on the insurance front for the scan on Monday yet - consultant is supposed to be sending a fax to BUPA to say that there are medical reasons why the scan has to be in Bradford, and BUPA have indicated that this should allow them to cover it, but that process hasn't happened yet, so things are dragging on a little.
Went to the dentist today and saw a different lady from usual as my usual dentist is still off on mat leave. Today's dentist was utterley bonkers and insisted on singing "We Built This City" really loud about 2 inches from my face whilst she was poking around! Very friendly and happy though, so go for it I say!
Good luck to President Obama by the way - he's going to need it, but I wish him all the best!
Looking forward to tonight to see if Spurs can, for once, avoid throwing away a 4-1 lead in the second leg of the League Cup semis against Burnley. Surely this one's in the bag ... surely ... (I'd be confident if it was any team but Spurs!) :(
Cheers
Tuesday 20 January 2009
Tuesday 20th January 2009
Would you believe it, I've had a tube stuck into my vein for nearly two months with no bleeding, but when I took the dressing off the hole today, I pulled the tape a bit too hard and made my arm bleed (nowhere near the PICC line hole) - ironic or what?
Today has been another fun day on the bureaucracy side. Having got my MRI appointment finally confirmed, I contact my health insurers and they tell me that MRI scans at that particular hospital (Bradford Royal Infirmary) may not be covered by my work policy. This is the typical crap you have to deal with and I can only be thankful that I am not ill - imagine having to deal with all this red tape when you are seriously ill. Health insurance is supposed to give you peace of mind, not stress you out! I've got to wait until this afternoon to find out. If I'm not covered at this hospital (but I am covered at other hospitals), but my team need me to have the scan at Bradford because the scanner is better, I'm left with a bill for probably over £1000 (its a double scan). Great!
Every single time I have a scan, a consultant meeting or a procedure I have to go back to the insurers and get a separate authorisation code and this all depends on whether this consultant is covered doing this procedure at this hospital, because some are covered, some are not. I don't get a choice of who I see, what procedure is right for me or where is best to have it, so it's a lottery every time whether I am covered or not. Really frustrating!
I know I should be thankful that I have health insurance at all, because it can sometimes speed things up and generally means you get better food whilst on a ward, but frankly, given the great treatment I have had on the NHS so far, I'm not sure its worth the hassle!
Grrrrr ......
Today has been another fun day on the bureaucracy side. Having got my MRI appointment finally confirmed, I contact my health insurers and they tell me that MRI scans at that particular hospital (Bradford Royal Infirmary) may not be covered by my work policy. This is the typical crap you have to deal with and I can only be thankful that I am not ill - imagine having to deal with all this red tape when you are seriously ill. Health insurance is supposed to give you peace of mind, not stress you out! I've got to wait until this afternoon to find out. If I'm not covered at this hospital (but I am covered at other hospitals), but my team need me to have the scan at Bradford because the scanner is better, I'm left with a bill for probably over £1000 (its a double scan). Great!
Every single time I have a scan, a consultant meeting or a procedure I have to go back to the insurers and get a separate authorisation code and this all depends on whether this consultant is covered doing this procedure at this hospital, because some are covered, some are not. I don't get a choice of who I see, what procedure is right for me or where is best to have it, so it's a lottery every time whether I am covered or not. Really frustrating!
I know I should be thankful that I have health insurance at all, because it can sometimes speed things up and generally means you get better food whilst on a ward, but frankly, given the great treatment I have had on the NHS so far, I'm not sure its worth the hassle!
Grrrrr ......
Monday 19 January 2009
Monday 19th January 2009
Today feels like a step forward for some reason. I've had the PICC line taken out (didn't feel a thing and no dramatic spurting of blood or anything exciting like that), and my arm already feels somewhat different without the ever-present dressing.
I will leave it until tomorrow to have my first shower, but it definitely feels like I've put the chemo behind me now, and can focus on the surgery.
Saw my oncologist briefly whilst I was in the hospital and she seems upbeat and confident that the scan next week is just a formality and will be normal. Thereafter she expects me to have a further meeting with the surgeon, then it will be all go for the slicing and dicing :)
Happy days ...
I will leave it until tomorrow to have my first shower, but it definitely feels like I've put the chemo behind me now, and can focus on the surgery.
Saw my oncologist briefly whilst I was in the hospital and she seems upbeat and confident that the scan next week is just a formality and will be normal. Thereafter she expects me to have a further meeting with the surgeon, then it will be all go for the slicing and dicing :)
Happy days ...
Sunday 18 January 2009
Sunday 18th January 2009
Stifado was lovely, as was the ridiculous quantity of wine that we washed it down with. Today has been somewhat "creaky". Here's some things to fit in with today's mood ...
"You're not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on" - Dean Martin
"Alcohol isn't habit forming. I should know - I've been drinking it for years!" - Tallulah Bankhead
"Alcohol is necessary for a man so that he can have a good opinion of himself , undisturbed by the facts" - Finley Peter Dunne
Extreme hangover cure - does sometimes help!
Prairie Oyster
1 shot Brandy
1 tsp tomato ketchup
1 pinch freshly ground black pepper
1 pinch Cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp Vinegar
1 Egg yolk (don't break it)
Mix all ingredients together, then drop in the whole egg yolk without breaking it. Drink down in one. Lovely!
Seems I have my taste for alcohol back. Now I've got to work on losing it again so that I can get a bit fitter for the op!
"You're not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on" - Dean Martin
"Alcohol isn't habit forming. I should know - I've been drinking it for years!" - Tallulah Bankhead
"Alcohol is necessary for a man so that he can have a good opinion of himself , undisturbed by the facts" - Finley Peter Dunne
Extreme hangover cure - does sometimes help!
Prairie Oyster
1 shot Brandy
1 tsp tomato ketchup
1 pinch freshly ground black pepper
1 pinch Cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp Vinegar
1 Egg yolk (don't break it)
Mix all ingredients together, then drop in the whole egg yolk without breaking it. Drink down in one. Lovely!
Seems I have my taste for alcohol back. Now I've got to work on losing it again so that I can get a bit fitter for the op!
Saturday 17 January 2009
Saturday 17th January 2009
Short one today as we have guests ...
My MRI Appointment was brought forward slightly, and it is now Monday 26th January at 1.15pm - means that I can have fun at the dinner on the 28th after all!
My appetite at the moment is larger than it has ever been I think. I hope this doesn't last after the surgery - a large appetite and a small stomach don't go together too well I fear!
However, that's all in the future and at the moment I am cooking a huuuge pot of Stifado .... mmmmmm!
About time I opened the wine I think ... :)
My MRI Appointment was brought forward slightly, and it is now Monday 26th January at 1.15pm - means that I can have fun at the dinner on the 28th after all!
My appetite at the moment is larger than it has ever been I think. I hope this doesn't last after the surgery - a large appetite and a small stomach don't go together too well I fear!
However, that's all in the future and at the moment I am cooking a huuuge pot of Stifado .... mmmmmm!
About time I opened the wine I think ... :)
Friday 16 January 2009
Friday 16th January 2009
No limericks today (couldn't find any more good ones), but replaced with ...
Fabulous YouTube links! ...
Impressive Unicycling
Food Court Musical
And my favourite ...
Stealth Cat!
Ha ha!
Fabulous YouTube links! ...
Impressive Unicycling
Food Court Musical
And my favourite ...
Stealth Cat!
Ha ha!
Thursday 15 January 2009
Thursday 15th January 2009
Art'noon!
This morning I've been given a preliminary appointment for my MRI scan for Thursday 29th January. My oncologist wants to try and bring it forward, but I'm not sure it will be possible, because although there are a number of scanners in the area, apparently the one at Bradford Royal Infirmary is the best for this type of scan, so they are keen for me to have the scan there which restricts the availability somewhat. We'll have to see. Unfortunately I am at an event the night before which is traditionally a bit of a session, but I don't think that would be a good idea the night before a liver scan (ha ha!), so it'll have to be a sober one this year :(
The good news from my perspective is that my oncologist sees this scan as really just a final checkpoint, and is happy for me to have my PICC line taken out when I go into the Macmillan Unit for my regular appointment on Monday. This is good news from the perspective that I can start having showers and going to the gym again, but it is also a very positive indication that they really believe that this nodule is probably insignificant and that surgery will go ahead, otherwise she would have recommended that I keep the line in in case of the need for further ongoing chemo if the surgery was not possible.
If the news was to be bad of course, I could always have the line put in again, but if there was any real doubt, they would rather it was left in in the first place, so cautionary good news I think.
As usual, thanks for all the messages of support and good will yesterday - unfortunately it will now be another couple of weeks before I know anything for sure (I'm not milking it on purpose by the way, even if it does appear so! :). That actually suits me, because as I don't yet know for definite that I will be having surgery, there's no point in me worrying about it - if they only make their mind up the day before I go in, then that's less time for me to be stressing out! :)
Anyway, thanks again!
See you tomorrow (probably resorting to limericks again, as there is unlikely to be any developments now for a couple of days at least!)
This morning I've been given a preliminary appointment for my MRI scan for Thursday 29th January. My oncologist wants to try and bring it forward, but I'm not sure it will be possible, because although there are a number of scanners in the area, apparently the one at Bradford Royal Infirmary is the best for this type of scan, so they are keen for me to have the scan there which restricts the availability somewhat. We'll have to see. Unfortunately I am at an event the night before which is traditionally a bit of a session, but I don't think that would be a good idea the night before a liver scan (ha ha!), so it'll have to be a sober one this year :(
The good news from my perspective is that my oncologist sees this scan as really just a final checkpoint, and is happy for me to have my PICC line taken out when I go into the Macmillan Unit for my regular appointment on Monday. This is good news from the perspective that I can start having showers and going to the gym again, but it is also a very positive indication that they really believe that this nodule is probably insignificant and that surgery will go ahead, otherwise she would have recommended that I keep the line in in case of the need for further ongoing chemo if the surgery was not possible.
If the news was to be bad of course, I could always have the line put in again, but if there was any real doubt, they would rather it was left in in the first place, so cautionary good news I think.
As usual, thanks for all the messages of support and good will yesterday - unfortunately it will now be another couple of weeks before I know anything for sure (I'm not milking it on purpose by the way, even if it does appear so! :). That actually suits me, because as I don't yet know for definite that I will be having surgery, there's no point in me worrying about it - if they only make their mind up the day before I go in, then that's less time for me to be stressing out! :)
Anyway, thanks again!
See you tomorrow (probably resorting to limericks again, as there is unlikely to be any developments now for a couple of days at least!)
Wednesday 14 January 2009
Wednesday 14th January 2009
Hi All,
Just had a call from my specialist nurse with the results of my CT scan, and they are somewhat familiar - "good news so far, but there's one final check we want to do before we make our minds up for sure!".
So the situation as it stands today is that they are still pursuing a curative strategy, and all the bookings etc for the surgery are going ahead with a view to me having the op around the 17th February (unfortunately this coincides with half-term holiday though, so it may end up being the week before or the week after as some of the surgeons are on vacation).
In the meantime, I have to have an MRI scan on my liver (which will complete my set of possible scan types - CT, PET, MRI) to try and get some more information on this pesky nodule which is still causing the uncertainty (apparently none of the team have seen anything like it before). It is the surgeon who wants me to have the extra scan to "dot the i's and cross the t's" just to be sure that it is not significant.
The positive news is that the CT scan has shown that the chemo has had some positive effect and the tumour appears to have been "de-bulked" a certain amount (I don't know what's wrong with the word "shrunk", but that's medical-speak for you!), so they are pleased with that.
The only negative really (apart from the continued uncertainty) is that I will probably have to keep the PICC line in until after the MRI scan which could be another one or two weeks yet, which prevents me getting back to the gym.
It's a shame this is dragging on so long without a definitive answer, but it is not really worrying me too much, because the outcome is really a Hobson's Choice - I don't really fancy either outcome to be honest, so it doesn't really matter which way it goes!
I am probably being a bit flippant there of course, as a cure is better than living with cancer for the rest of my life (however long that should be), but there is a part of me that would rather spend the rest of my life on chemo (as it was not really a difficult experience) than have the surgery!
I will of course keep you updated as this continues to develop.
I'm still keeping very positive and I definitely see today's news as a good outcome, albeit an incomplete one!
Cheers,
C.
Just had a call from my specialist nurse with the results of my CT scan, and they are somewhat familiar - "good news so far, but there's one final check we want to do before we make our minds up for sure!".
So the situation as it stands today is that they are still pursuing a curative strategy, and all the bookings etc for the surgery are going ahead with a view to me having the op around the 17th February (unfortunately this coincides with half-term holiday though, so it may end up being the week before or the week after as some of the surgeons are on vacation).
In the meantime, I have to have an MRI scan on my liver (which will complete my set of possible scan types - CT, PET, MRI) to try and get some more information on this pesky nodule which is still causing the uncertainty (apparently none of the team have seen anything like it before). It is the surgeon who wants me to have the extra scan to "dot the i's and cross the t's" just to be sure that it is not significant.
The positive news is that the CT scan has shown that the chemo has had some positive effect and the tumour appears to have been "de-bulked" a certain amount (I don't know what's wrong with the word "shrunk", but that's medical-speak for you!), so they are pleased with that.
The only negative really (apart from the continued uncertainty) is that I will probably have to keep the PICC line in until after the MRI scan which could be another one or two weeks yet, which prevents me getting back to the gym.
It's a shame this is dragging on so long without a definitive answer, but it is not really worrying me too much, because the outcome is really a Hobson's Choice - I don't really fancy either outcome to be honest, so it doesn't really matter which way it goes!
I am probably being a bit flippant there of course, as a cure is better than living with cancer for the rest of my life (however long that should be), but there is a part of me that would rather spend the rest of my life on chemo (as it was not really a difficult experience) than have the surgery!
I will of course keep you updated as this continues to develop.
I'm still keeping very positive and I definitely see today's news as a good outcome, albeit an incomplete one!
Cheers,
C.
Tuesday 13 January 2009
Tuesday 13th January 2009
Trying not to think too much about cancer today, anticipating the outcome of tomorrow's meeting ...
So, instead ...
following on from the limericks ...
introducing ...
Cat Haiku's!
You never feed me.
Perhaps I'll sleep on your face.
That will sure show you.
You must scratch me there!
Yes, above my tail!
Behold, elevator butt.
The rule for today:
Touch my tail, I shred your hand.
New rule tomorrow.
In deep sleep hear sound
cat vomit hairball somewhere
will find in morning.
Grace personified.
I leap into the window.
I meant to do that.
Blur of motion, then --
silence, me, a paper bag.
What is so funny?
The mighty hunter
Returns with gifts of plump birds --
your foot just squashed one.
You're always typing.
Well, let's see you ignore my
sitting on your hands.
Terrible battle.
I fought for hours. Come and see!
What's a 'term paper?'
Small brave carnivores
Kill pine cones and mosquitoes,
Fear vacuum cleaner
I want to be close
to you. Can I fit my head
inside your armpit?
Wanna go outside.
Oh, poop! Help! I got outside!
Let me back inside!
Oh no! Big One
has been trapped by newspaper!
Cat to the rescue!
Humans are so strange.
Mine lies still in bed, then screams;
My claws are not that sharp.
So, instead ...
following on from the limericks ...
introducing ...
Cat Haiku's!
You never feed me.
Perhaps I'll sleep on your face.
That will sure show you.
You must scratch me there!
Yes, above my tail!
Behold, elevator butt.
The rule for today:
Touch my tail, I shred your hand.
New rule tomorrow.
In deep sleep hear sound
cat vomit hairball somewhere
will find in morning.
Grace personified.
I leap into the window.
I meant to do that.
Blur of motion, then --
silence, me, a paper bag.
What is so funny?
The mighty hunter
Returns with gifts of plump birds --
your foot just squashed one.
You're always typing.
Well, let's see you ignore my
sitting on your hands.
Terrible battle.
I fought for hours. Come and see!
What's a 'term paper?'
Small brave carnivores
Kill pine cones and mosquitoes,
Fear vacuum cleaner
I want to be close
to you. Can I fit my head
inside your armpit?
Wanna go outside.
Oh, poop! Help! I got outside!
Let me back inside!
Oh no! Big One
has been trapped by newspaper!
Cat to the rescue!
Humans are so strange.
Mine lies still in bed, then screams;
My claws are not that sharp.
Monday 12 January 2009
Monday 12th January 2009
Nothing to report again today - waiting for Wednesday really (assuming I do get the results of the MDT meeting on Wednesday of course)
Had my regular line flush and blood test today - pretty routine now.
Enjoyed the replay on the news today of one of George Dubya's "Bushisms" - "Don't misunderestimate me" - classic!
Not wishing to be political, but I think things are going to be somewhat different under Obama. I'm reading his book "The Audacity of Hope" at the moment, and what strikes me most is firstly that he has written a book and secondly that I am interested in reading it. I just can't imagine Bush ever being capable of writing a book, or of having anything interesting to say in the first place, but maybe I'm just misunderestimating him! :)
Had my regular line flush and blood test today - pretty routine now.
Enjoyed the replay on the news today of one of George Dubya's "Bushisms" - "Don't misunderestimate me" - classic!
Not wishing to be political, but I think things are going to be somewhat different under Obama. I'm reading his book "The Audacity of Hope" at the moment, and what strikes me most is firstly that he has written a book and secondly that I am interested in reading it. I just can't imagine Bush ever being capable of writing a book, or of having anything interesting to say in the first place, but maybe I'm just misunderestimating him! :)
Sunday 11 January 2009
Sunday 11th January 2009
Good to catch up with some friends last night and this lunchtime.
I don't know if it is the post Christmas lull, or a more widespread issue to do with the credit crunch, but Halifax was unusually quiet for a Saturday night last night. Just right actually, for an old codger like me!
However, I am yet again gutted by Spurs dismal performance today losing in the last minute AGAIN, to a team we beat 3-1 only a week or so ago. How do they manage to be so consistent in being inconsistent??
Gah! Signing off in disgust ...
I don't know if it is the post Christmas lull, or a more widespread issue to do with the credit crunch, but Halifax was unusually quiet for a Saturday night last night. Just right actually, for an old codger like me!
However, I am yet again gutted by Spurs dismal performance today losing in the last minute AGAIN, to a team we beat 3-1 only a week or so ago. How do they manage to be so consistent in being inconsistent??
Gah! Signing off in disgust ...
Saturday 10 January 2009
Saturday 10th January 2009
Today;s blog is mostly about a recommendation.
If you like R&B (the proper sort - James Brown, Committments etc, not Leona bloody Lewis!) check out this band that I heard on the radio last night and have been looking into this morning:
Eli 'Paperboy' Reed & the True Loves
http://www.myspace.com/elipaperboyreed
Check out "Doin' The Boom Boom" - excellent!
They were on Later with Jools Holland, but I must have missed that one. However, I have ordered the album from Amazon.
The track I heard last night was an amazing R&B cover of Ace of Spades by Motorhead - awesome and unexpected! Unfortunately it's not on the album, so I'll have to track it down some other way.
As usual when I discover a new band, I've just missed them on tour - they were in Leeds on the 29th November - oh well, maybe next time!
Anyway, gig last night was good fun. A 50th wedding anniversary in a true Northern working men's club. We haven't done one of those for a while and they are always a laugh, checking out the 8x10s on the dressing room wall (yes we had one - see below) for all the cheesy cabaret acts that do the working men's club circuit (we, thankfully, don't!)
Southern musician's guide to spotting a Northern WMC:
1. The band or singer is always referred to as the "turn" or the "artiste", and is the third most important part of the evening's entertainment behind the meat raffle and the star of the show "The Bingo" (I was once told off for daring to temporarily unplug the bingo machine at a gig somewhere!). See last night's dressing room door for example (sorry about the quality of the picture, you can blame HP for that).
I use the term "dressing room" in it's polite sense by the way. A Northern WMC dressing room is actually defined in the Oxford English Dictionary as "a cold, smelly, storeroom covered in 8x10 pictures of 'artistes' called 'Wayne Kerr' or 'Lou Smorrells' or similar and containing at absolute minimum, a tombola machine, various stacks of chairs, broken light fittings, a damp stain, and various other indeterminate stains" Ours last night also contained three urinal cakes in an ashtray as an impromptu air-freshener. Nice!
2. The WMC will have an "Entertainments Officer", who "used to be in the business". He (never a she, God Forbid!) will be a jobsworth, control freak who will know everything, whilst actually knowing nothing at all at the same time (a clever trick performed by many people in the entertainments business) - reminds me of a story told to me by a musician friend who was touring in Japan in the 80's and had to deal with a hopeless Japanese tour manager. Apparently the Japanese guy got sick of the abuse from the band and cracked with the classic outburst "You guys think I know F**k Nothing, but I know F**k All!" - sums up the WMC Entertainments Officer nicely!
3. The WMC will have a stage for the bingo machine, which may be shared by the "artiste" if you are lucky and promise not to go too close to the sacred machine. The stage will have a sparkly backdrop, either in silver or in multiple colours (such as last night):
(The bingo machine is temporarily obscured by the drumkit).
4. The beer will be cheap and horrible.
5. The place will have seen better days.
If anyone thinks they have been to a Northern WMC where any of the above does not apply, then they are mistaken and were probably in a Morrissons.
Cheers!
If you like R&B (the proper sort - James Brown, Committments etc, not Leona bloody Lewis!) check out this band that I heard on the radio last night and have been looking into this morning:
Eli 'Paperboy' Reed & the True Loves
http://www.myspace.com/elipaperboyreed
Check out "Doin' The Boom Boom" - excellent!
They were on Later with Jools Holland, but I must have missed that one. However, I have ordered the album from Amazon.
The track I heard last night was an amazing R&B cover of Ace of Spades by Motorhead - awesome and unexpected! Unfortunately it's not on the album, so I'll have to track it down some other way.
As usual when I discover a new band, I've just missed them on tour - they were in Leeds on the 29th November - oh well, maybe next time!
Anyway, gig last night was good fun. A 50th wedding anniversary in a true Northern working men's club. We haven't done one of those for a while and they are always a laugh, checking out the 8x10s on the dressing room wall (yes we had one - see below) for all the cheesy cabaret acts that do the working men's club circuit (we, thankfully, don't!)
Southern musician's guide to spotting a Northern WMC:
1. The band or singer is always referred to as the "turn" or the "artiste", and is the third most important part of the evening's entertainment behind the meat raffle and the star of the show "The Bingo" (I was once told off for daring to temporarily unplug the bingo machine at a gig somewhere!). See last night's dressing room door for example (sorry about the quality of the picture, you can blame HP for that).
I use the term "dressing room" in it's polite sense by the way. A Northern WMC dressing room is actually defined in the Oxford English Dictionary as "a cold, smelly, storeroom covered in 8x10 pictures of 'artistes' called 'Wayne Kerr' or 'Lou Smorrells' or similar and containing at absolute minimum, a tombola machine, various stacks of chairs, broken light fittings, a damp stain, and various other indeterminate stains" Ours last night also contained three urinal cakes in an ashtray as an impromptu air-freshener. Nice!
2. The WMC will have an "Entertainments Officer", who "used to be in the business". He (never a she, God Forbid!) will be a jobsworth, control freak who will know everything, whilst actually knowing nothing at all at the same time (a clever trick performed by many people in the entertainments business) - reminds me of a story told to me by a musician friend who was touring in Japan in the 80's and had to deal with a hopeless Japanese tour manager. Apparently the Japanese guy got sick of the abuse from the band and cracked with the classic outburst "You guys think I know F**k Nothing, but I know F**k All!" - sums up the WMC Entertainments Officer nicely!
3. The WMC will have a stage for the bingo machine, which may be shared by the "artiste" if you are lucky and promise not to go too close to the sacred machine. The stage will have a sparkly backdrop, either in silver or in multiple colours (such as last night):
(The bingo machine is temporarily obscured by the drumkit).
4. The beer will be cheap and horrible.
5. The place will have seen better days.
If anyone thinks they have been to a Northern WMC where any of the above does not apply, then they are mistaken and were probably in a Morrissons.
Cheers!
Friday 9 January 2009
Friday 9th January 2009
So you liked the limericks then!
Still not much to report today. I'm down to the absolute minimum on the drugs front now. morning is one Lansoprazole (replacement for the Omeprazole which ran out, but basically the same drug - a Proton Pump Inhibitor to stop the production of excess stomach acid), 6pm is 2 x 3mg Warfarin and that's it at the moment.
I've stopped all the chemo side-effect drugs now and hopefully won't see any reaction to that.
I've put on weight over Christmas due to scoffing too much bad food and not doing any exercise (hands up anyone else in the same boat!). No bad thing as I will certainly lose weight during the surgery recovery process. However, and I don't believe I'm going to say this ... I'm missing doing a bit of exercise.
I've not being going to the gym or doing anything to build up a sweat because of the dressing on my arm - I don't want to sweat underneath it and risk infecting the PICC line at all. Hopefully it is due off next week and I'll be able to go back to the gym for a bit before the surgery - the fitter I am the better.
The band has a gig tonight and it's likely to be the last I do with them for quite a few months which will be a shame - hope its a good one.
That's it for today - all the best to Nick, laid up in hospital after surgery on both knees, hope you get back to normal soon!
Cheers all!
Still not much to report today. I'm down to the absolute minimum on the drugs front now. morning is one Lansoprazole (replacement for the Omeprazole which ran out, but basically the same drug - a Proton Pump Inhibitor to stop the production of excess stomach acid), 6pm is 2 x 3mg Warfarin and that's it at the moment.
I've stopped all the chemo side-effect drugs now and hopefully won't see any reaction to that.
I've put on weight over Christmas due to scoffing too much bad food and not doing any exercise (hands up anyone else in the same boat!). No bad thing as I will certainly lose weight during the surgery recovery process. However, and I don't believe I'm going to say this ... I'm missing doing a bit of exercise.
I've not being going to the gym or doing anything to build up a sweat because of the dressing on my arm - I don't want to sweat underneath it and risk infecting the PICC line at all. Hopefully it is due off next week and I'll be able to go back to the gym for a bit before the surgery - the fitter I am the better.
The band has a gig tonight and it's likely to be the last I do with them for quite a few months which will be a shame - hope its a good one.
That's it for today - all the best to Nick, laid up in hospital after surgery on both knees, hope you get back to normal soon!
Cheers all!
Thursday 8 January 2009
Thursday 8th January 2009
Nothing exciting to report at the moment, so today's blog is devoted to the wonderful art-form that is the limerick ...
There was a young girl from Rabat,
who had triplets, Nat, Pat and Tat;
It was fun in the breeding,
But hell in the feeding,
When she found she had no tit for Tat.
who had triplets, Nat, Pat and Tat;
It was fun in the breeding,
But hell in the feeding,
When she found she had no tit for Tat.
A limerick fan from Australia
regarded his work as a failure:
his verses were fine
until the fourth line
?
A macho young swimmer named Dwyer,
Really liked playing with fire.
One night in the dark
He swam with a shark,
And his voice is now two octaves higher.
There was a young lady named Kite
Whose speed was much faster than light.
She left home one day
In a relative way
And returned on the previous night.
I once took our vicar to tea;
It was just as I thought it would be:
His rumblings abdominal
Were simply phenomenal,
And everyone thought it was me.
A young schizophrenic named Struther,
Who learned of the death of his Brother,
Said, "I know that its bad,
But I don't feel too sad.
After all, I still have each other.
There was an old gent from Hyde
Who ate rotten apples and died.
The apples fermented
Inside the lamented
And made cider inside his inside.
There was a young man of Japan
Whose limericks never would scan.
When they asked him, Why?
He said, with a sigh,
"It's because I always try to get as many words into the last line as I possibly can".
There was a young man from Dundee
Who was stung on the arm by a wasp
When asked "does it hurt"
He said "no it doesn't"
"I'm so glad it wasn't a hornet"!
There was a young girl from Nantucket
I think I'll stop there! :)
regarded his work as a failure:
his verses were fine
until the fourth line
?
A macho young swimmer named Dwyer,
Really liked playing with fire.
One night in the dark
He swam with a shark,
And his voice is now two octaves higher.
There was a young lady named Kite
Whose speed was much faster than light.
She left home one day
In a relative way
And returned on the previous night.
I once took our vicar to tea;
It was just as I thought it would be:
His rumblings abdominal
Were simply phenomenal,
And everyone thought it was me.
A young schizophrenic named Struther,
Who learned of the death of his Brother,
Said, "I know that its bad,
But I don't feel too sad.
After all, I still have each other.
There was an old gent from Hyde
Who ate rotten apples and died.
The apples fermented
Inside the lamented
And made cider inside his inside.
Whose limericks never would scan.
When they asked him, Why?
He said, with a sigh,
"It's because I always try to get as many words into the last line as I possibly can".
There was a young man from Dundee
Who was stung on the arm by a wasp
When asked "does it hurt"
He said "no it doesn't"
"I'm so glad it wasn't a hornet"!
There was a young girl from Nantucket
I think I'll stop there! :)
Wednesday 7 January 2009
Wednesday 7th January 2009
Got to the hospital in plenty of time for the scan this morning, but felt very nauseous all of a sudden and didn't have any of my drugs with me. Probably to do with being hungry, but it was a bit of a pain as things were running late so it was an hour and a half before I got to go in.
Had the usual litre of pernod-flavoured drink, then a shot of a sherbert-like powder followed immediately by a shot of lemon juice to make it fizz, then washed down with water. It was a bit like doing a tequila slammer! I wonder if the person who invented the process was an alcoholic?? :)
Because of my PICC line, they had to put another tube in my other arm for the contrast dye. When she stuck the needle in, a lot of blood came out all over my arm which was nice, and when she took the catheter out later on, the same thing happened - probably a lot to do with the Warfarin, but I'm not sure what the next person in line thought when I came out with blood all down my arm! (Sorry Kaz, no pictures ...)
Wasn't very pleasant for a while with a tube in each elbow - I felt like I couldn't bend either arm (although you can, it just feels funny).
Anyway, it was worth it when they administered the dye - a lovely warming feeling washing over your body. I imagine it was a bit like taking a pee in a wetsuit, but I've never done that so I'm only guessing of course ... :)
Anyway, finally got home and had a lovely late breakfast and all signs of nausea disappeared so all is well again.
Now for the big wait for the results!
Thanks for all the emails and texts with good wishes today - even got one from some friends on honeymoon in Hawaii which was nice!
Enough for now - see you later!
Had the usual litre of pernod-flavoured drink, then a shot of a sherbert-like powder followed immediately by a shot of lemon juice to make it fizz, then washed down with water. It was a bit like doing a tequila slammer! I wonder if the person who invented the process was an alcoholic?? :)
Because of my PICC line, they had to put another tube in my other arm for the contrast dye. When she stuck the needle in, a lot of blood came out all over my arm which was nice, and when she took the catheter out later on, the same thing happened - probably a lot to do with the Warfarin, but I'm not sure what the next person in line thought when I came out with blood all down my arm! (Sorry Kaz, no pictures ...)
Wasn't very pleasant for a while with a tube in each elbow - I felt like I couldn't bend either arm (although you can, it just feels funny).
Anyway, it was worth it when they administered the dye - a lovely warming feeling washing over your body. I imagine it was a bit like taking a pee in a wetsuit, but I've never done that so I'm only guessing of course ... :)
Anyway, finally got home and had a lovely late breakfast and all signs of nausea disappeared so all is well again.
Now for the big wait for the results!
Thanks for all the emails and texts with good wishes today - even got one from some friends on honeymoon in Hawaii which was nice!
Enough for now - see you later!
Tuesday 6 January 2009
Tuesday 6th January 2009
Twelfth Night! Get those decorations down!
House seems very bare at the moment as it always does when the deco's come down!
In for my CT scan at 8.30 in the morning. Have to starve myself beforehand which is a pain, then I have to drink a litre of Pernod-flavoured stuff before I go in. Worst part of it is not getting breakfast until lunchtime. I do like my breakfast I do! Best part is the dye they inject which gives the warm feeling. Considering it's been about -5 degrees today, that will be most welcome.
Not much else today, so I'll leave you with some culture - some assorted quotes from Shakespeare's Twelfth Night to fit the occasion ...
If music be the food of love, play on;
Give me excess of it, that, surfeiting,
The appetite may sicken, and so die.
That strain again! it had a dying fall:
O, it came o'er my ear like the sweet sound
That breathes upon a bank of violets,
Stealing and giving odour!
Twelfth Night, 1. 1
Dost thou think, because thou art virtuous, there shall be no more cakes and ale?
Twelfth Night, 2. 3
I am a great eater of beef, and I believe that does harm to my wit.
Twelfth Night, 1. 3
Many a good hanging prevents a bad marriage.
Twelfth Night, 1. 5
But be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.
Twelfth Night, 2. 5
Leave thy vain bibble-babble.
Twelfth Night, 4. 2
House seems very bare at the moment as it always does when the deco's come down!
In for my CT scan at 8.30 in the morning. Have to starve myself beforehand which is a pain, then I have to drink a litre of Pernod-flavoured stuff before I go in. Worst part of it is not getting breakfast until lunchtime. I do like my breakfast I do! Best part is the dye they inject which gives the warm feeling. Considering it's been about -5 degrees today, that will be most welcome.
Not much else today, so I'll leave you with some culture - some assorted quotes from Shakespeare's Twelfth Night to fit the occasion ...
If music be the food of love, play on;
Give me excess of it, that, surfeiting,
The appetite may sicken, and so die.
That strain again! it had a dying fall:
O, it came o'er my ear like the sweet sound
That breathes upon a bank of violets,
Stealing and giving odour!
Twelfth Night, 1. 1
Dost thou think, because thou art virtuous, there shall be no more cakes and ale?
Twelfth Night, 2. 3
I am a great eater of beef, and I believe that does harm to my wit.
Twelfth Night, 1. 3
Many a good hanging prevents a bad marriage.
Twelfth Night, 1. 5
But be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.
Twelfth Night, 2. 5
Leave thy vain bibble-babble.
Twelfth Night, 4. 2
Monday 5 January 2009
Monday 5th January 2009
Hi all,
As you can probably see, I spent some time last night messing around with the blog colours whilst trying to do something else. Hope it's ok.
Bloods all ok today - no change on the Warfarin front. Will be stopping taking nearly all tablets in a day or so now that my second cycle is over - just the Omeprazole and Warfarin.
First day back at work today and it's good to have some focus for the next month or so until the next stage of treatment. I'm kind of going to miss the travelling, but also relieved to be staying at home - it's always the same, I love travelling around, but hate it at the same time! I can get much more done whilst at home, but I do miss getting out and about, especially to new places.
I don't know if anyone saw the programme the other night with Joanna Lumley travelling to the north of Norway to see the Northern Lights. It reminded me of the time a few years back when we took some customers up to Levi in the north of Finland (inside the Arctic Circle) for a few days. We saw the Lights briefly - only a single stripe of green across the sky, nothing as spectacular as Joanna saw during the programme - but it was still one of the most amazing things I have ever seen in my life, and I'd love to go back there again some day.
By the way, do you think the tax man will let me off doing my tax return this year because I'm ill?
No, I don't think so either :(
Laters (as they say in these 'ere parts)
C
As you can probably see, I spent some time last night messing around with the blog colours whilst trying to do something else. Hope it's ok.
Bloods all ok today - no change on the Warfarin front. Will be stopping taking nearly all tablets in a day or so now that my second cycle is over - just the Omeprazole and Warfarin.
First day back at work today and it's good to have some focus for the next month or so until the next stage of treatment. I'm kind of going to miss the travelling, but also relieved to be staying at home - it's always the same, I love travelling around, but hate it at the same time! I can get much more done whilst at home, but I do miss getting out and about, especially to new places.
I don't know if anyone saw the programme the other night with Joanna Lumley travelling to the north of Norway to see the Northern Lights. It reminded me of the time a few years back when we took some customers up to Levi in the north of Finland (inside the Arctic Circle) for a few days. We saw the Lights briefly - only a single stripe of green across the sky, nothing as spectacular as Joanna saw during the programme - but it was still one of the most amazing things I have ever seen in my life, and I'd love to go back there again some day.
By the way, do you think the tax man will let me off doing my tax return this year because I'm ill?
No, I don't think so either :(
Laters (as they say in these 'ere parts)
C
Sunday 4 January 2009
Sunday 4th January 2009
Wow! 5 comments and several emails! Seems like my shoes have sparked a reaction ...
Just for those who are wondering - here they are ...
A thing (or pair of things ...) of beauty I'm sure you'll agree!
Well, tomorrow is the last day of my second chemo cycle. Quick visit to the Macmillan Unit at Halifax hospital for INR blood check tomorrow afternoon (establishes what dose of Warfarin I need to be on for the week ahead), then I should be done with the chemo for now.
I was asked why I am on Warfarin and I can't remember if I mentioned it an any of my posts - it's basically because of the PICC line in my arm. There is a danger of clots around the end of the tube near my heart, so they need to manage that. I am assuming that when they take the line out I will stop taking it, but it's no big deal.
Actually, none of the drugs I'm on taste particularly bad, nor are any of them particularly large or awkward to swallow, although the blister pack that the Emend anti-emetic that I was taking at the start of each cycle is comedy-sized (that's a pound coin in the photo) - I don't know if they do it deliberatly, but when I saw it, my immediate thought was "bloody hell, which hole is THAT going in then!" :)
However, as soon as you pop the blister, the pill is tiny - I bet it is done as a joke by the drug company just to wind you up!
Anyway - enough rambling. Boinngg ... time for bed (Sorry - obscure Magic Roundabout reference for those over 40 - Dave, remember that that means you too!)
Just for those who are wondering - here they are ...
A thing (or pair of things ...) of beauty I'm sure you'll agree!
Well, tomorrow is the last day of my second chemo cycle. Quick visit to the Macmillan Unit at Halifax hospital for INR blood check tomorrow afternoon (establishes what dose of Warfarin I need to be on for the week ahead), then I should be done with the chemo for now.
I was asked why I am on Warfarin and I can't remember if I mentioned it an any of my posts - it's basically because of the PICC line in my arm. There is a danger of clots around the end of the tube near my heart, so they need to manage that. I am assuming that when they take the line out I will stop taking it, but it's no big deal.
Actually, none of the drugs I'm on taste particularly bad, nor are any of them particularly large or awkward to swallow, although the blister pack that the Emend anti-emetic that I was taking at the start of each cycle is comedy-sized (that's a pound coin in the photo) - I don't know if they do it deliberatly, but when I saw it, my immediate thought was "bloody hell, which hole is THAT going in then!" :)However, as soon as you pop the blister, the pill is tiny - I bet it is done as a joke by the drug company just to wind you up!
Anyway - enough rambling. Boinngg ... time for bed (Sorry - obscure Magic Roundabout reference for those over 40 - Dave, remember that that means you too!)
Saturday 3 January 2009
Saturday 3rd January 2009
Another quick one today - just got back from shopping at the [horrendously busy] Trafford Centre, bought an ace pair of black and silver Oliver Sweeney shoes for half price in the sale and now on our way out to the Cinnamon Lounge in Rishworth for a curry (two in a week, whatever next!)
More tomorrow ...
C
More tomorrow ...
C
Friday 2 January 2009
Friday 2nd January 2009
Nothing really to report today, except I am becoming increasingly conscious of the passing of time and the scan in 5 days time.
A couple of times recently I've had the original symptom of difficulty swallowing - usually with toast or other bread-like foods. Not as common as before the chemo, but enough to make me think that there probably hasn't been much change in the size of the tumour.
When I met the surgeon the other day, he did make a point of saying that I shouldn't be worried if there was little or no reduction in size though - the main purpose of the chemo is to help prevent the cancer reappearing in the future rather than reducing its size. Although it will obviously be nice if there has been a size reduction. We'll have to wait and see.
Finished the port the other night - very nice too! :)
Bye for now
A couple of times recently I've had the original symptom of difficulty swallowing - usually with toast or other bread-like foods. Not as common as before the chemo, but enough to make me think that there probably hasn't been much change in the size of the tumour.
When I met the surgeon the other day, he did make a point of saying that I shouldn't be worried if there was little or no reduction in size though - the main purpose of the chemo is to help prevent the cancer reappearing in the future rather than reducing its size. Although it will obviously be nice if there has been a size reduction. We'll have to wait and see.
Finished the port the other night - very nice too! :)
Bye for now
Thursday 1 January 2009
Thursday 1st January 2009
Happy New Year everybody!
Yes, I know forgot to write anything yesterday ... shame on me, the slippery slope starts here!
So I tried an experiment last night/this morning ...
will my cancer drugs sort out a major hangover?
The answer, unfortunately, is no :(
I think the anti-emetic (yes I had one this morning) is helping - I dread to think what I'd be feeling like without it - but I haven't got away with it. I have, however, so far resisted the temptation to take a swig from the morphine bottle (tempting though)!
Still it was a very good night spent next door helping the neighbours finish a jeroboam of champagne - didn't take us long at all actually! And the traditional Yorkshire fayre of meat and tattie pie with mushy peas and mint sauce (try it - bloomin' gorgeous!) accompanied it perfectly! This was the first time I've been drunk since before my diagnosis, so a bit of a milestone!
I also learned that a true Yorkshireman eats Christmas cake with cheese. Not tried that one yet, but another fine food combination apparently! Try it and let me know what you think ...
If my memory serves me (which it probably doesn't) we got home about 3.30am this morning, so a good time was had by all.
I hope all your celebrations were good too, whether you chose full-on clubbing or a quiet night in, (or any of a range of options in between), and I hope 2009 holds good things in store for all of us!
Cheers! (again)
Yes, I know forgot to write anything yesterday ... shame on me, the slippery slope starts here!
So I tried an experiment last night/this morning ...
will my cancer drugs sort out a major hangover?
The answer, unfortunately, is no :(
I think the anti-emetic (yes I had one this morning) is helping - I dread to think what I'd be feeling like without it - but I haven't got away with it. I have, however, so far resisted the temptation to take a swig from the morphine bottle (tempting though)!
Still it was a very good night spent next door helping the neighbours finish a jeroboam of champagne - didn't take us long at all actually! And the traditional Yorkshire fayre of meat and tattie pie with mushy peas and mint sauce (try it - bloomin' gorgeous!) accompanied it perfectly! This was the first time I've been drunk since before my diagnosis, so a bit of a milestone!
I also learned that a true Yorkshireman eats Christmas cake with cheese. Not tried that one yet, but another fine food combination apparently! Try it and let me know what you think ...
If my memory serves me (which it probably doesn't) we got home about 3.30am this morning, so a good time was had by all.
I hope all your celebrations were good too, whether you chose full-on clubbing or a quiet night in, (or any of a range of options in between), and I hope 2009 holds good things in store for all of us!
Cheers! (again)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
