Unfortunately the cycle continues and its another bad day today. Briefly, I have had really bad abdominal pains and constant diarrhea, which is wiping me out physically. In bed again now - will update you tomorrow.
C
Saturday 28 February 2009
Friday 27 February 2009
Friday 27th February 2009
Well isn't the World an uppy and downey place!
Today has been a good day again (it will be nice when I can string a couple together for a change!).
I have taken it relatively easy on the food front and have had no nasty turns like yesterday. I am definitely conscious of filling up though - I had a nice bowl of strawberries and double cream today (not a large bowl) and I felt as full as after a three-course meal. No sticking sensation like yesterday though, so no discomfort.
I have been told that my stomach will start to stretch again soon and I will be able to more comfortably eat more, but its definitely an ongoing process.
Sleeping was more comfortable last night, and I slept in late this morning for the first time in ages. I'm happy to sleep as long as I can at the moment, but I don't want to get in the habit if I can help it - being up and about is definitely helping me, although it does occasionally hurt a little. I know that if I am not active, then the healing will take longer, but I am very conscious that I do have to take things slowly - I'm not ready to go back to the gym just yet, so don't worry!
Great to see Ali and Siobhan last night - we had a good reminisce and giggle about the old times in Manchester, freezing our relative parts off trying to catch taxis at 4 in the morning - especially the night when Ali's brother Neil fell asleep in the Australian bar after one too many cocktails and finally woke up in the morning in my house in Salford and thought he'd pulled because he didn't know where he was! Ha ha! Now kids, remember, that was the bad old days - drink responsibly, now! :)
Talking of which, I haven't had the desire to try any alcohol since the op, but when it comes to consuming large amounts of calories in a small dose, maybe a nice creamy cocktail might be in order? I guess I'd better wait until my pain levels have subsided a little more though, as I'm likely to be bouncing off the walls after a couple of sips!
Number one in a series of one - "The Perils of Applying for Planning Permission" ...
So, as some of you will know, I started the process of having our garden extended into the wasteground at the side of the house which I also own. Someone complained to the council (I think they thought I was building another house!) and the planners contacted me. Apparently I was supposed to apply for planning permission for a "change of use" from wasteground to "residential curtillage - extension of existing garden" - sounds like an excuse to take £335 in fees off me in my opinion, but never mind.
I have duly submitted the papers and the fee and the application is under review (notwithstanding the fact that the garden is nearly complete! - I have been advised that it should be a formality though. Better had be, else I will have to plant a load of weeds and turn it back into wasteland!!)
Anyway, just in case you are wondering what the point of this story is (yes we are - Ed), well, the plans go up on the council website, including my name and address of course. Now every bloody developer in the land, from Surrey to Newcastle is sending me junk mail offering me roof trusses, building design, guttering and everything else you might need for building a new extension - I'm sorry to those in the building trade watching, but it would be nice if you took the time to read the bloody title of the application at least - which part of "residential curtillage - extension of existing garden" suggests I might need to invest in a job lot of roof trusses?? Talk about opportunists!
Grrr!!
Anyway, snuff for now,
Cheers,
Colin. x
Today has been a good day again (it will be nice when I can string a couple together for a change!).
I have taken it relatively easy on the food front and have had no nasty turns like yesterday. I am definitely conscious of filling up though - I had a nice bowl of strawberries and double cream today (not a large bowl) and I felt as full as after a three-course meal. No sticking sensation like yesterday though, so no discomfort.
I have been told that my stomach will start to stretch again soon and I will be able to more comfortably eat more, but its definitely an ongoing process.
Sleeping was more comfortable last night, and I slept in late this morning for the first time in ages. I'm happy to sleep as long as I can at the moment, but I don't want to get in the habit if I can help it - being up and about is definitely helping me, although it does occasionally hurt a little. I know that if I am not active, then the healing will take longer, but I am very conscious that I do have to take things slowly - I'm not ready to go back to the gym just yet, so don't worry!
Great to see Ali and Siobhan last night - we had a good reminisce and giggle about the old times in Manchester, freezing our relative parts off trying to catch taxis at 4 in the morning - especially the night when Ali's brother Neil fell asleep in the Australian bar after one too many cocktails and finally woke up in the morning in my house in Salford and thought he'd pulled because he didn't know where he was! Ha ha! Now kids, remember, that was the bad old days - drink responsibly, now! :)
Talking of which, I haven't had the desire to try any alcohol since the op, but when it comes to consuming large amounts of calories in a small dose, maybe a nice creamy cocktail might be in order? I guess I'd better wait until my pain levels have subsided a little more though, as I'm likely to be bouncing off the walls after a couple of sips!
Number one in a series of one - "The Perils of Applying for Planning Permission" ...
So, as some of you will know, I started the process of having our garden extended into the wasteground at the side of the house which I also own. Someone complained to the council (I think they thought I was building another house!) and the planners contacted me. Apparently I was supposed to apply for planning permission for a "change of use" from wasteground to "residential curtillage - extension of existing garden" - sounds like an excuse to take £335 in fees off me in my opinion, but never mind.
I have duly submitted the papers and the fee and the application is under review (notwithstanding the fact that the garden is nearly complete! - I have been advised that it should be a formality though. Better had be, else I will have to plant a load of weeds and turn it back into wasteland!!)
Anyway, just in case you are wondering what the point of this story is (yes we are - Ed), well, the plans go up on the council website, including my name and address of course. Now every bloody developer in the land, from Surrey to Newcastle is sending me junk mail offering me roof trusses, building design, guttering and everything else you might need for building a new extension - I'm sorry to those in the building trade watching, but it would be nice if you took the time to read the bloody title of the application at least - which part of "residential curtillage - extension of existing garden" suggests I might need to invest in a job lot of roof trusses?? Talk about opportunists!
Grrr!!
Anyway, snuff for now,
Cheers,
Colin. x
Thursday 26 February 2009
Thursday 26th February 2009
Oops, nearly forgot today!
I've been having problems with my eating today. Food has been sticking and not settling well.
I tried introducing some new food - an omlette at lunch, but it didn't go well. I've had to go to bed twice to sleep off the discomfort.
Tomorrow I'm going to revert to soup again to stabilise myself before experimenting again. I know this is going to take time and I'm going to push it too far on occasion, but its all part of the learning process - I'll get there in the end!
Oops again, the clock has just ticked past midnight, so it is now technically Friday! Oh well, see you later today then!
Colin
I've been having problems with my eating today. Food has been sticking and not settling well.
I tried introducing some new food - an omlette at lunch, but it didn't go well. I've had to go to bed twice to sleep off the discomfort.
Tomorrow I'm going to revert to soup again to stabilise myself before experimenting again. I know this is going to take time and I'm going to push it too far on occasion, but its all part of the learning process - I'll get there in the end!
Oops again, the clock has just ticked past midnight, so it is now technically Friday! Oh well, see you later today then!
Colin
Wednesday 25 February 2009
Wednesday 25th February 2009
Good Evening Everybody!
Much, much better today.
Yesterday was definitely my worst day since the op itself, but I did have a similar day last week, when I couldn't face the effort of getting out of bed and having a wash, so I guess it is a combination of how I slept the night before, diet, mood etc.
I slept well in my own bed last night, although somewhat uncomfortably - i.e. I slept for long periods but woke up in pain. I am still struggling to sleep comfortably on my right side (my preference) because it does pull a little on the scar, and sleeping on my back is not as comfortable in my bed as I don't have the ability to raise the head and legs like I did in the hospital bed. Hopefully I will get used to that in time though.
I've had loads more energy today and have been up and about all day, so I guess we can put yesterday down as a blip, although I suspect I will have the occasional day like that now and again.
It's definitely good to be writing this from my home PC - so much less fiddly and irritating than trying to do it on a little PDA, so as promised, here are some pictures. Please note that the last few are of the various scars and may not be pleasant viewing for some, so just be warned!
Cheers,
Colin x
First, a couple of views of the room I've been in for the last fortnight ...
And some of me in the days when I was rather "attached" to my surroundings - do you like the anti-clot socks? Very fetching! At this point I was connected to food via the feeding tube, and liquid, paracetamol etc and morphine via the neck catheter. I also have oxygen in my nose, urine catheter, and chest drain.
These are some of the machines I was connected to. This was after my time in Intensive Care, so there were about 5 other machines that I had just been released from! The one at the bottom with the yellow sticker on was the "PCAS" - my friend the morphine machine - mmmm..... morphine ...
Don't go any further if you are squeamish - this next one is the "baby" neck wound before I had the staples taken out - only about 15 or 16 in this one ...
And these last two are the somewhat larger "shark bite", again before the staples were removed on Monday. The orange patch is where the chest drain was (now resembles a bullet hole), and the white thing below is the feeding tube, which was actually taken out in the end yesterday, so I am "tubeless" at last!
See - it goes all around the back too! ...
Various red rash-like marks are just from dressings that have been removed and have mostly gone away now.
That's all for now - I'll take some more as things develop.
Much, much better today.
Yesterday was definitely my worst day since the op itself, but I did have a similar day last week, when I couldn't face the effort of getting out of bed and having a wash, so I guess it is a combination of how I slept the night before, diet, mood etc.
I slept well in my own bed last night, although somewhat uncomfortably - i.e. I slept for long periods but woke up in pain. I am still struggling to sleep comfortably on my right side (my preference) because it does pull a little on the scar, and sleeping on my back is not as comfortable in my bed as I don't have the ability to raise the head and legs like I did in the hospital bed. Hopefully I will get used to that in time though.
I've had loads more energy today and have been up and about all day, so I guess we can put yesterday down as a blip, although I suspect I will have the occasional day like that now and again.
It's definitely good to be writing this from my home PC - so much less fiddly and irritating than trying to do it on a little PDA, so as promised, here are some pictures. Please note that the last few are of the various scars and may not be pleasant viewing for some, so just be warned!
Cheers,
Colin x
First, a couple of views of the room I've been in for the last fortnight ...
And some of me in the days when I was rather "attached" to my surroundings - do you like the anti-clot socks? Very fetching! At this point I was connected to food via the feeding tube, and liquid, paracetamol etc and morphine via the neck catheter. I also have oxygen in my nose, urine catheter, and chest drain.
These are some of the machines I was connected to. This was after my time in Intensive Care, so there were about 5 other machines that I had just been released from! The one at the bottom with the yellow sticker on was the "PCAS" - my friend the morphine machine - mmmm..... morphine ...
Don't go any further if you are squeamish - this next one is the "baby" neck wound before I had the staples taken out - only about 15 or 16 in this one ...
And these last two are the somewhat larger "shark bite", again before the staples were removed on Monday. The orange patch is where the chest drain was (now resembles a bullet hole), and the white thing below is the feeding tube, which was actually taken out in the end yesterday, so I am "tubeless" at last!
See - it goes all around the back too! ...
Various red rash-like marks are just from dressings that have been removed and have mostly gone away now.
That's all for now - I'll take some more as things develop.
Tuesday 24 February 2009
Tuesday 24th February 2009
Hi All,
I am home, but have been suffering from a total lack of energy since I woke up in the hospital this morning.
Far from doing 7 laps of the unit, I struggled to stand upright or walk as badly as the day after the op. Feels like a real step backwards - I hope I feel better tomorrow.
Conscious that being at home might be harder, but this started before I came home, so I can only think it is a blip, or is to do with me coming off the feed last night.
I am in bed at the moment, and even writing this is taxing me, so I'll try again tomorrow and see if I can muster some more energy to post some pics.
Good to be home though ...
Colin
I am home, but have been suffering from a total lack of energy since I woke up in the hospital this morning.
Far from doing 7 laps of the unit, I struggled to stand upright or walk as badly as the day after the op. Feels like a real step backwards - I hope I feel better tomorrow.
Conscious that being at home might be harder, but this started before I came home, so I can only think it is a blip, or is to do with me coming off the feed last night.
I am in bed at the moment, and even writing this is taxing me, so I'll try again tomorrow and see if I can muster some more energy to post some pics.
Good to be home though ...
Colin
Monday 23 February 2009
Monday 23rd February 2009
Good Evening!
Sadly, I am still in hospital tonight, but I am definitely out in the morning.
They were waiting for the surgeon to come and check me over, but he's been in theatre all day and didn't get a chance.
However, I have had my staples out (63 in the end) - 5 or 6 of them were extremely painful, but mostly they were ok. The wound feels a little better so far - less "restrained" if that makes sense.
No liquid feed for the first time tonight. This might make me more hungry in the morning, but I hope it will also settle my innards down a little if you know what I mean. I will be going home with the feeding tube still attached "just in case" I'm not able to get enough food down in the next week or so. They'll take it out when I go in for my outpatients visit (not quite sure when that will be yet).
I weighed myself tonight and I've lost 2kg since I came in two weeks ago, which is not actually a lot considering, and I've got plenty more to shed before I need to worry at all - we'll see what the next couple of weeks brings, as I hopefully tuck into endless Monster Munch, custard and cake!
Anyway, see you tomorrow, this time hopefully from home!
Cheers
Colin
Sadly, I am still in hospital tonight, but I am definitely out in the morning.
They were waiting for the surgeon to come and check me over, but he's been in theatre all day and didn't get a chance.
However, I have had my staples out (63 in the end) - 5 or 6 of them were extremely painful, but mostly they were ok. The wound feels a little better so far - less "restrained" if that makes sense.
No liquid feed for the first time tonight. This might make me more hungry in the morning, but I hope it will also settle my innards down a little if you know what I mean. I will be going home with the feeding tube still attached "just in case" I'm not able to get enough food down in the next week or so. They'll take it out when I go in for my outpatients visit (not quite sure when that will be yet).
I weighed myself tonight and I've lost 2kg since I came in two weeks ago, which is not actually a lot considering, and I've got plenty more to shed before I need to worry at all - we'll see what the next couple of weeks brings, as I hopefully tuck into endless Monster Munch, custard and cake!
Anyway, see you tomorrow, this time hopefully from home!
Cheers
Colin
Sunday 22 February 2009
Sunday 22nd February 2009
Hi All,
Feeling much more perky today, although a little more painful than yesterday.
Surgeon came in this morning and confirmed that I will be going home tomorrow - excellent news! It's going to be quite a change though - tomorrow they take out my staples in the big wound, plus they stop the liquid feed after tonight, so I've got those changes to get used to. Also, I am still on the sloppy food diet today, so it will be down to me at home to work out as and when to introduce more substantial food - I had expected to have advanced to that stage already - I guess it's just a case of experimenting though.
Thanks Kaz for the link to the oesophagectomy pamphlet. Some useful information in there - especially the tip about the beer, as Kate pointed out! :)
Sitting on my bed, watching Minder (the original), but I must go and do my stair exercises shortly - hopefully tomorrow's installment will be from a real computer, so I can post some pics. See you then!
Colin
Feeling much more perky today, although a little more painful than yesterday.
Surgeon came in this morning and confirmed that I will be going home tomorrow - excellent news! It's going to be quite a change though - tomorrow they take out my staples in the big wound, plus they stop the liquid feed after tonight, so I've got those changes to get used to. Also, I am still on the sloppy food diet today, so it will be down to me at home to work out as and when to introduce more substantial food - I had expected to have advanced to that stage already - I guess it's just a case of experimenting though.
Thanks Kaz for the link to the oesophagectomy pamphlet. Some useful information in there - especially the tip about the beer, as Kate pointed out! :)
Sitting on my bed, watching Minder (the original), but I must go and do my stair exercises shortly - hopefully tomorrow's installment will be from a real computer, so I can post some pics. See you then!
Colin
Saturday 21 February 2009
Saturday 21st February 2009
Another slow day today - no change in diet and the options are a bit dull to be honest, still the cut down in liquid food seems to have got the toilet visits under control, so it's definitely been a less stressful day.
I'm slightly worried that my interest in food has declined a little - I've been watching quite a few cooking programmes and not been interested at all in the food. I hope that will change as my eating gets back to normal, as good food and eating out has always been a pleasure.
No visits from Docs today, so no more updates. Hopefully I should get some news tomorrow. However, it looks like the pain is steadily improving. All I've had today has been three doses of paracetamol. I will have a dose of CoCodamol before bed (Paracetamol & Codeine), but that is definitely the least I have had since the operation.
Nearly time to go back on my feed (its like a curfew!!), so I'll see you later,
Colin
I'm slightly worried that my interest in food has declined a little - I've been watching quite a few cooking programmes and not been interested at all in the food. I hope that will change as my eating gets back to normal, as good food and eating out has always been a pleasure.
No visits from Docs today, so no more updates. Hopefully I should get some news tomorrow. However, it looks like the pain is steadily improving. All I've had today has been three doses of paracetamol. I will have a dose of CoCodamol before bed (Paracetamol & Codeine), but that is definitely the least I have had since the operation.
Nearly time to go back on my feed (its like a curfew!!), so I'll see you later,
Colin
Friday 20 February 2009
Friday 20th February 2009
Evenin' All!
Better day on the pain front. I've actually had less pain killers today but have been in less general pain.
I've been getting good exercise with my morning wash, my laps of the unit and my stairs, not to mention rather too frequent sprints to the toilet.
Hopefully, this will start to reduce as they have now cut down my liquid food by half (which is causing the problem) as I am starting to eat more (I've had mashed weetabix, soup, ice cream and custard today, as well as a supplement in the form of a fortified milkshake. This will mean that my time on the feed is reduced from 16 hours to 12 (at a reduced dose rate too), giving me 12 full hours of freedom from any wires during the day - very welcome indeed.
Disappointingly, the dietician has been today and told me that my dream diet (as outlined a day or so ago) will only be temporary (boo) and I'll be moved onto a more healthy diet after a few weeks - I knew it was too good to be true! Still, I will make the most of it while I can.
Surgeon has been again today and is still really pleased with progress so I'm still hoping to get home on Monday which will be nice, although it's a pleasant environment here so I'm not climbing the walls yet.
Not a particularly eventful day today, so I'll sign off there and see you tomorrow,
Cheers
Colin x
Better day on the pain front. I've actually had less pain killers today but have been in less general pain.
I've been getting good exercise with my morning wash, my laps of the unit and my stairs, not to mention rather too frequent sprints to the toilet.
Hopefully, this will start to reduce as they have now cut down my liquid food by half (which is causing the problem) as I am starting to eat more (I've had mashed weetabix, soup, ice cream and custard today, as well as a supplement in the form of a fortified milkshake. This will mean that my time on the feed is reduced from 16 hours to 12 (at a reduced dose rate too), giving me 12 full hours of freedom from any wires during the day - very welcome indeed.
Disappointingly, the dietician has been today and told me that my dream diet (as outlined a day or so ago) will only be temporary (boo) and I'll be moved onto a more healthy diet after a few weeks - I knew it was too good to be true! Still, I will make the most of it while I can.
Surgeon has been again today and is still really pleased with progress so I'm still hoping to get home on Monday which will be nice, although it's a pleasant environment here so I'm not climbing the walls yet.
Not a particularly eventful day today, so I'll sign off there and see you tomorrow,
Cheers
Colin x
Thursday 19 February 2009
Thursday 19th February 2009
Hi Folks,
First of all, quite a few people have mentioned that it is not easy to post a comment on this blog. I can't verify this myself on the pda, but I believe the simplest option is to choose the "anonymous" option when you post the comment (but please put your name in the text of the comment so I know who its from). You don't need to be a follower of the blog to make a comment and I don't think you need to sign in anywhere if you use the anonymous option. Maybe one of the regular commenters could confirm this?
Anyway, on to the blog ...
Today has been a harder day as I'm still trying to get the balance of the oral painkillers right so I've had quite a bit of residual pain today and its been harder to do the deep breathing I need to do to stave off any chest infection. Hopefully I'll get on top of it tomorrow.
Talking of the chest, the results of the chest X-Ray from the other day show a little fluid still in the left lung cavity, but no more than before the chest drain went in, so nothing to worry about as long as I keep doing my breathing exercises.
I've had two separate doctors provide opinions on my likely discharge date, and the consensus is that we are aiming for Monday, but it might end up being later in the week. So, if anyone wants to come in over the weekend, let me know so we can sort day/time like last weekend - it would be good to see you!
Thanks particularly to Andy T today who has sent me a cuddly badger, I think purchased from the www.badgerbadgerbadger.com website - excellent!
I have started eating today, if you can call it that - a mug of hot Bovril and a small bowl of jelly for lunch. Unfortunately it is so long since I've had Bovril made into a drink that I'd forgotten how horrible it is! Despite it being my first food for a week and a half, I couldn't finish it :( Jelly was nice though.
Tonight's meal was ordered from the hospital kitchen rather than from the York Suite kitchen, and they ordered "clear soup". What turned up, in a soup bowl, with a soup spoon, was a bowl of .... hot Bovril! D'Oh! Tried again, but couldn't finish it - it is truly digusting stuff! Still, Paula, the York Suite catering manager made it up to me with a big bowl of really nice ice cream, which has gone down very well (although I can still taste Bovril in my mouth!!)
In case footy fans are wondering why I am doing my blog rather than watching Spurs in the UEFA cup, I can assure you that I am watching it while I write and am gutted (again) that we have just gone 2-0 down. This is not our year!
Again, for the footy (or quiz) fans, there are 19 different footbal club names in the 4 UK football divisions - e.g. "United" and "City" to give you two easy ones. Can you name the other 17 without looking at the league tables? It's pretty difficult actually. Note that endings which are actually part of the place name, like West Ham, Crystal Palace and Port Vale don't count.
Boo, we just lost the game :(
The nurses have just been in to change the dressings on my main wound. I got them to take a couple of photos for the "before and after" gallery. It is the first time I have seen the wound in its entirety (needs two photos to get it all in!). Apparently it looks in good shape, but to me with the staples in it look like a huge zip! As soon as I get home, I'll post some pictures for the non-squeamish amongst you!
Still, I hope you are all well and I'll speak to you again tomorrow, and I'll tell you about the bloke who uses Viagra to stop him rolling out of bed at night! Ha ha!
Colin
First of all, quite a few people have mentioned that it is not easy to post a comment on this blog. I can't verify this myself on the pda, but I believe the simplest option is to choose the "anonymous" option when you post the comment (but please put your name in the text of the comment so I know who its from). You don't need to be a follower of the blog to make a comment and I don't think you need to sign in anywhere if you use the anonymous option. Maybe one of the regular commenters could confirm this?
Anyway, on to the blog ...
Today has been a harder day as I'm still trying to get the balance of the oral painkillers right so I've had quite a bit of residual pain today and its been harder to do the deep breathing I need to do to stave off any chest infection. Hopefully I'll get on top of it tomorrow.
Talking of the chest, the results of the chest X-Ray from the other day show a little fluid still in the left lung cavity, but no more than before the chest drain went in, so nothing to worry about as long as I keep doing my breathing exercises.
I've had two separate doctors provide opinions on my likely discharge date, and the consensus is that we are aiming for Monday, but it might end up being later in the week. So, if anyone wants to come in over the weekend, let me know so we can sort day/time like last weekend - it would be good to see you!
Thanks particularly to Andy T today who has sent me a cuddly badger, I think purchased from the www.badgerbadgerbadger.com website - excellent!
I have started eating today, if you can call it that - a mug of hot Bovril and a small bowl of jelly for lunch. Unfortunately it is so long since I've had Bovril made into a drink that I'd forgotten how horrible it is! Despite it being my first food for a week and a half, I couldn't finish it :( Jelly was nice though.
Tonight's meal was ordered from the hospital kitchen rather than from the York Suite kitchen, and they ordered "clear soup". What turned up, in a soup bowl, with a soup spoon, was a bowl of .... hot Bovril! D'Oh! Tried again, but couldn't finish it - it is truly digusting stuff! Still, Paula, the York Suite catering manager made it up to me with a big bowl of really nice ice cream, which has gone down very well (although I can still taste Bovril in my mouth!!)
In case footy fans are wondering why I am doing my blog rather than watching Spurs in the UEFA cup, I can assure you that I am watching it while I write and am gutted (again) that we have just gone 2-0 down. This is not our year!
Again, for the footy (or quiz) fans, there are 19 different footbal club names in the 4 UK football divisions - e.g. "United" and "City" to give you two easy ones. Can you name the other 17 without looking at the league tables? It's pretty difficult actually. Note that endings which are actually part of the place name, like West Ham, Crystal Palace and Port Vale don't count.
Boo, we just lost the game :(
The nurses have just been in to change the dressings on my main wound. I got them to take a couple of photos for the "before and after" gallery. It is the first time I have seen the wound in its entirety (needs two photos to get it all in!). Apparently it looks in good shape, but to me with the staples in it look like a huge zip! As soon as I get home, I'll post some pictures for the non-squeamish amongst you!
Still, I hope you are all well and I'll speak to you again tomorrow, and I'll tell you about the bloke who uses Viagra to stop him rolling out of bed at night! Ha ha!
Colin
Wednesday 18 February 2009
Wednesday 18th February 2009
Hi all,
Unfortunately, my rubbish PDA just deleted today's post halfway through writing it (time to buy an iPhone methinks!), so here we go again ...
All is good so far today. I missed half of Shameless last night (no worries, I have it at home on Sky+ :) when they took me down for my chest X-Ray to check the aftermath of removing the chest drain. I've not had any feedback so far, so I guess it was all ok!
Cannula (I've finally learned how to spell that, along with "Catheter") was proving to be a problem last night. Whenever anything was put through it, my right forearm ballooned which wasn't good. The doctor was called at 11.30pm to put yet another one in, but he didn't turn up until 4am, and by then it didn't seem worth it as I was going onto oral drugs today. I slept well until 4 and they gave me some soluble paracetemol then which helped stabilise the pain, so I figured I could do without the morphine for the rest of the night.
What that means, is when they disconnected my feed tube for the next 8-hour rest period at 10am this morning, I was finally free of any connections (for a while at least).
I've had an unencumbered swagger around the unit this morning which was good, and a really good wash - so much easier without wires - and I'm finally able to wear pyjamas instead of a hospital gown, so I feel much more normal.
I've been drinking cups of coffee and orange juice all day with no side effects yet, so hopefully I'm on track for basic sloppy foods tomorrow. Until then I will be back on my liquid feed at 6pm tonight and overnight.
I'm on regular soluble paracetemol now, and have a menu of painkillers to choose from in the gaps - Tramadol, Codeine, and in exceptional cases, Morphine again (by injection). so far I've had a couple of Tramadol and they are working well.
have to go now, Physio want me to do some stairs!
Cheers
Colin
p.s. I just went down and back up three small flights of stairs (probably 30 in all). All went well, but I have a bit of a sweat on now and am taking a good breather - physio was very impressed though, most people stop after one or two flights apparently!
Unfortunately, my rubbish PDA just deleted today's post halfway through writing it (time to buy an iPhone methinks!), so here we go again ...
All is good so far today. I missed half of Shameless last night (no worries, I have it at home on Sky+ :) when they took me down for my chest X-Ray to check the aftermath of removing the chest drain. I've not had any feedback so far, so I guess it was all ok!
Cannula (I've finally learned how to spell that, along with "Catheter") was proving to be a problem last night. Whenever anything was put through it, my right forearm ballooned which wasn't good. The doctor was called at 11.30pm to put yet another one in, but he didn't turn up until 4am, and by then it didn't seem worth it as I was going onto oral drugs today. I slept well until 4 and they gave me some soluble paracetemol then which helped stabilise the pain, so I figured I could do without the morphine for the rest of the night.
What that means, is when they disconnected my feed tube for the next 8-hour rest period at 10am this morning, I was finally free of any connections (for a while at least).
I've had an unencumbered swagger around the unit this morning which was good, and a really good wash - so much easier without wires - and I'm finally able to wear pyjamas instead of a hospital gown, so I feel much more normal.
I've been drinking cups of coffee and orange juice all day with no side effects yet, so hopefully I'm on track for basic sloppy foods tomorrow. Until then I will be back on my liquid feed at 6pm tonight and overnight.
I'm on regular soluble paracetemol now, and have a menu of painkillers to choose from in the gaps - Tramadol, Codeine, and in exceptional cases, Morphine again (by injection). so far I've had a couple of Tramadol and they are working well.
have to go now, Physio want me to do some stairs!
Cheers
Colin
p.s. I just went down and back up three small flights of stairs (probably 30 in all). All went well, but I have a bit of a sweat on now and am taking a good breather - physio was very impressed though, most people stop after one or two flights apparently!
Tuesday 17 February 2009
Tuesday 17th February 2009
Much better day today.
First bit of good news is that the faceless strangers elsewhere in the unit who so rudely interrupted my exclusive attention yesterday by getting seriously ill, are both ok and pulled through their individual emergencies. I hope they don't have the audacity to try that trick again, but I guess I'm relieved they are ok! :)
No overnight accidents, and I had my cathetar removed at 6am this morning. A welcome relief!
Since then I've had a pretty quiet busy day (i.e. nothing really happening, but lots of doctors and nurses popping in to take this sample or give me that drug etc). Physio gave me the go-ahead to do my walks around the unit on my own, now I don't have so much to carry, so that's positive progress!
I've been on 60ml/hour of liquids today, which has included half cups of coffee which was a nice change. it's been going down fine - swallowing feels the same as it always did, in fact, nothing feels different yet! It may be a little different once the pain relief wears off, but I don't think it's going to be an issue at all.
Within the last hour the docs have been around to take out my chest drain which was painful but could have been worse. I have to have a chest X-ray, probably later tonight to check that my left lung is fully inflated again. Another welcome relief to have that out (especially as it shortens the time from bed to bathroom!)
Apart from that, most of the activity today has involved trying to get a canular (tube through which drugs are administered) in me somewhere which works for longer than 5 minutes - I've had 4 over the last couple of days, and the latest one isn't working too well either! One of the problems is that this room is quite hot and when I sweat even lightly, all the dressings are falling off me which is irritating. I should have the canular out tomorrow anyway as they are starting to switch me over to oral drugs instead of intravenous. the first effect of this I noticed today is that if you dissolve two soluble paracetamol in only 30ml of water, the resulting concentrated liquid tastes of tuna fish (bad, but not as bad as Pernod!) Maybe they've done something with my tastebuds during the surgery, but I've had two doses today and it's definitely tuna!
Thanks for all the cards by the way - the nurses are finding it hard to use their prep table because it is so full of them - too many to mention individually, but I have to single out a couple:
A great personalised card from Elspeth via Moonpig.com with the caption "Great Men of Our Time" and a picture of Barack Obama next to a picture of me - card personalisation the modern way.
The other is card personalisation the somewhat cheaper way - a great card, but the name on the original caption tippexed out and "Col" written on top in biro - Thanks Nick, ha ha, it's the thought that counts! No seriously, it really is the thought that counts, but I couldn't help belly laughing when the two cards arrived at the same time!! :)
I've had a few other calls, texts blog comments and emails over the last few days and as usual I really do appreciate them - thanks everybody!
I'm looking forward to my weekly dose of Shameless tonight - I really do love that show. and for anyone who thinks it's far fetched, I can assure you that it is totally realistic and could be set in many parts of Salford or Manchester (where the ice cream vans give the kids free ice cream whilst selling heroin to the adults). When I lived in Salford, there were so many similarities - the corner shop selling "a fag an' a match" for 20p, or individual nappies - sad but true!
"Unlimited Fluids" tomorrow - Can't wait!
Bye til then,
C
First bit of good news is that the faceless strangers elsewhere in the unit who so rudely interrupted my exclusive attention yesterday by getting seriously ill, are both ok and pulled through their individual emergencies. I hope they don't have the audacity to try that trick again, but I guess I'm relieved they are ok! :)
No overnight accidents, and I had my cathetar removed at 6am this morning. A welcome relief!
Since then I've had a pretty quiet busy day (i.e. nothing really happening, but lots of doctors and nurses popping in to take this sample or give me that drug etc). Physio gave me the go-ahead to do my walks around the unit on my own, now I don't have so much to carry, so that's positive progress!
I've been on 60ml/hour of liquids today, which has included half cups of coffee which was a nice change. it's been going down fine - swallowing feels the same as it always did, in fact, nothing feels different yet! It may be a little different once the pain relief wears off, but I don't think it's going to be an issue at all.
Within the last hour the docs have been around to take out my chest drain which was painful but could have been worse. I have to have a chest X-ray, probably later tonight to check that my left lung is fully inflated again. Another welcome relief to have that out (especially as it shortens the time from bed to bathroom!)
Apart from that, most of the activity today has involved trying to get a canular (tube through which drugs are administered) in me somewhere which works for longer than 5 minutes - I've had 4 over the last couple of days, and the latest one isn't working too well either! One of the problems is that this room is quite hot and when I sweat even lightly, all the dressings are falling off me which is irritating. I should have the canular out tomorrow anyway as they are starting to switch me over to oral drugs instead of intravenous. the first effect of this I noticed today is that if you dissolve two soluble paracetamol in only 30ml of water, the resulting concentrated liquid tastes of tuna fish (bad, but not as bad as Pernod!) Maybe they've done something with my tastebuds during the surgery, but I've had two doses today and it's definitely tuna!
Thanks for all the cards by the way - the nurses are finding it hard to use their prep table because it is so full of them - too many to mention individually, but I have to single out a couple:
A great personalised card from Elspeth via Moonpig.com with the caption "Great Men of Our Time" and a picture of Barack Obama next to a picture of me - card personalisation the modern way.
The other is card personalisation the somewhat cheaper way - a great card, but the name on the original caption tippexed out and "Col" written on top in biro - Thanks Nick, ha ha, it's the thought that counts! No seriously, it really is the thought that counts, but I couldn't help belly laughing when the two cards arrived at the same time!! :)
I've had a few other calls, texts blog comments and emails over the last few days and as usual I really do appreciate them - thanks everybody!
I'm looking forward to my weekly dose of Shameless tonight - I really do love that show. and for anyone who thinks it's far fetched, I can assure you that it is totally realistic and could be set in many parts of Salford or Manchester (where the ice cream vans give the kids free ice cream whilst selling heroin to the adults). When I lived in Salford, there were so many similarities - the corner shop selling "a fag an' a match" for 20p, or individual nappies - sad but true!
"Unlimited Fluids" tomorrow - Can't wait!
Bye til then,
C
Monday 16 February 2009
Monday 16th February 2009
A long and hard day today!
Started off well when they left me in peace to sleep in until 11am, but the physio burst in at 11 whilst I was fast asleep and made me jump out of my skin. Before I had a chance to recover, he had me up and out of bed and walking the corridors. by the time I got back I was sweating and short of breath - a good workout, but I could have done with being eased into it, especially since I was hungry.
After a wash a porter came to collect me for my scan. I'd only had a couple of doses from my morphine pump so I took it with me. no sooner was I out the door when it packed up though.
Preparing for the scan involved hauling myself sideways off the trolley and onto the scan table - it was extremely hard work in my current condition and very painful.
The scan table was tipped vertical then I was given a sickly, gooey, pernod-flavoured contrast (why always pernod??) which was horrible. I had to swallow this at the command whilst the radiographer (same guy who did my MRI) moved an X-Ray like device in front of my chest following the route of the swallow. I did this three times, then it was over. Doc told me that there was no evidence of any leaks so all was well - so far so good!
It was once I got back to my room when things went a bit downhill for a while. Having only had a couple of morphine shots since about 10am, the underlying pain was starting to come through, and with the strain of shuffling off the trolley I was in quite a bit of pain. I was also feeling nauseous due to hunger and they hadn't yet reattached my food line.
Unfortunately, it was at this exact time that two other patients decided I was getting too much attention and went critical, which diverted all qualified staff into emergency mode (and away from me!).
This lasted a couple of hours during which time I was feeling pretty crap and running a temperature. I managed to get myself into bed which was a little better, but it is safe to say this was easily the worst I have felt since I came in here.
Eventually I got hooked up to food and morphine again and things started to get a bit better until rumblings in my tummy triggered a panic trip to the bathroom. Bear in mind that getting to the bathroom from my bed involves the following convoluted procedure:
lowering the foot of the bed, and raising the head, leaning over the left side to grab the chest drain container, leaning over the right side to untie the cathetar bag from the bed, swivelling round and standing up, unplugging three machines from the wall then grabbing the chest drain container and cathetar bag in one hand and the IV tower with the three machines on in the other, negotiating the gap at the end of the bed, opening the toilet door and finding the light switch, then making it to the toilet. All this between the rumbling and the "main event" and in my limited mobility state - not a long time! Just made it!
This was the 6 days of liquid food finally making it through to its explosive conclusion.
unfortunately, 20 minutes after following the reverse of the process, I got the call a second time! Made it again, but even closer that time. I'm now somewhat nervous of what the night ahead is going to bring ...
Oh, and somewhere in the midst of all that, the surgeon popped in and told me I can start drinking up to a maximum of 30ml of water each hour from now on (result!). Tomorrow it goes up to 60ml/hour, with the option to swap up to three of them for half cups of tea or coffee. Wednesday brings unlimited liquids, and Thursday should mean soft solids.
All good news, but somewhat overshadowed by all the other stuff today. Hopefully a better day tomorrow barring any embarrassing overnight "accidents"! :(
I guess no big deal considering it is only 7 days since the surgery, but still the first day when I don't feel better than the last, so a minor setback.
How lovely does water taste though?!
See you tomorrow,
C
Started off well when they left me in peace to sleep in until 11am, but the physio burst in at 11 whilst I was fast asleep and made me jump out of my skin. Before I had a chance to recover, he had me up and out of bed and walking the corridors. by the time I got back I was sweating and short of breath - a good workout, but I could have done with being eased into it, especially since I was hungry.
After a wash a porter came to collect me for my scan. I'd only had a couple of doses from my morphine pump so I took it with me. no sooner was I out the door when it packed up though.
Preparing for the scan involved hauling myself sideways off the trolley and onto the scan table - it was extremely hard work in my current condition and very painful.
The scan table was tipped vertical then I was given a sickly, gooey, pernod-flavoured contrast (why always pernod??) which was horrible. I had to swallow this at the command whilst the radiographer (same guy who did my MRI) moved an X-Ray like device in front of my chest following the route of the swallow. I did this three times, then it was over. Doc told me that there was no evidence of any leaks so all was well - so far so good!
It was once I got back to my room when things went a bit downhill for a while. Having only had a couple of morphine shots since about 10am, the underlying pain was starting to come through, and with the strain of shuffling off the trolley I was in quite a bit of pain. I was also feeling nauseous due to hunger and they hadn't yet reattached my food line.
Unfortunately, it was at this exact time that two other patients decided I was getting too much attention and went critical, which diverted all qualified staff into emergency mode (and away from me!).
This lasted a couple of hours during which time I was feeling pretty crap and running a temperature. I managed to get myself into bed which was a little better, but it is safe to say this was easily the worst I have felt since I came in here.
Eventually I got hooked up to food and morphine again and things started to get a bit better until rumblings in my tummy triggered a panic trip to the bathroom. Bear in mind that getting to the bathroom from my bed involves the following convoluted procedure:
lowering the foot of the bed, and raising the head, leaning over the left side to grab the chest drain container, leaning over the right side to untie the cathetar bag from the bed, swivelling round and standing up, unplugging three machines from the wall then grabbing the chest drain container and cathetar bag in one hand and the IV tower with the three machines on in the other, negotiating the gap at the end of the bed, opening the toilet door and finding the light switch, then making it to the toilet. All this between the rumbling and the "main event" and in my limited mobility state - not a long time! Just made it!
This was the 6 days of liquid food finally making it through to its explosive conclusion.
unfortunately, 20 minutes after following the reverse of the process, I got the call a second time! Made it again, but even closer that time. I'm now somewhat nervous of what the night ahead is going to bring ...
Oh, and somewhere in the midst of all that, the surgeon popped in and told me I can start drinking up to a maximum of 30ml of water each hour from now on (result!). Tomorrow it goes up to 60ml/hour, with the option to swap up to three of them for half cups of tea or coffee. Wednesday brings unlimited liquids, and Thursday should mean soft solids.
All good news, but somewhat overshadowed by all the other stuff today. Hopefully a better day tomorrow barring any embarrassing overnight "accidents"! :(
I guess no big deal considering it is only 7 days since the surgery, but still the first day when I don't feel better than the last, so a minor setback.
How lovely does water taste though?!
See you tomorrow,
C
Sunday 15 February 2009
Sunday 15th February 2009
6ood to see Ross & Jo and Ali today. the nurses tell me that my blood pressure readings go up when I have guests - I'm thinking of running a league table of which friends raise my blood pressure most! :)
No major developments today - but an excellent night and a good day overall, mean that I am still definitely improving each day. Definitely looking forward to tomorrow though when I will hopefully be able to drink for the first time and will also have my cathetar and chest drain removed, which will make me mobile under my own steam for the first time!
I should be able to eat soft foods on Tuesday - probably limited to soup and ice cream at first, but anything will be welcome.
Going forward, the Dietician is working on a plan for me, but in the meantime she left me an NHS pamphlet "Dietary Advice After Oesophagectomy Surgery". Far from being scary, it is absolutely fantastic - the key message is that as I will have to eat smaller meals, it is important that I maximise the calories in each small meal. Let me quote some extracts from the pamphlet ...
"Ensure all dairy foods are FULL FAT as these will provide your body with extra energy"
"If you do have an alcoholic drink you may feel the effects much more quickly so be careful"
"Add margarine or butter to vegetables, potatoes, bread and chapattis. Don't use a low fat spread"
"Double cream can be added to a variety of savoury and sweet foods"
Breakfast Ideas:
"Breakfast cereal with full fat milk"
Mid-morning snack ideas
"Melt in the mouth" crisps such as Quavers, Skips or Monster Munch"
"Custard"
"Angel Delight"
Main meal ideas
"Stew"
"Curry and Rice"
Mid-afternoon snack ideas
"Cake"
This has to be the only diet sheet I have ever seen with "Cake" and "Monster Munch" on it!! Overall it reads like a list of all my favourite foods, so I'm pretty happy to be honest!
Unfortunately, that's all in the future as I have to be Nil By Mouth from midnight tonight until my scan at 1pm tomorrow. This includes my food supplement being fed directly into my intestine, so I am going to be hungry tomorrow morning, just like before all my other scans - one of the worst sides to this illness, all the starvation periods!!
That's all for today - more tomorrow when I will hopefully be drunk on the glorious taste of water!
Cheers,
C x
No major developments today - but an excellent night and a good day overall, mean that I am still definitely improving each day. Definitely looking forward to tomorrow though when I will hopefully be able to drink for the first time and will also have my cathetar and chest drain removed, which will make me mobile under my own steam for the first time!
I should be able to eat soft foods on Tuesday - probably limited to soup and ice cream at first, but anything will be welcome.
Going forward, the Dietician is working on a plan for me, but in the meantime she left me an NHS pamphlet "Dietary Advice After Oesophagectomy Surgery". Far from being scary, it is absolutely fantastic - the key message is that as I will have to eat smaller meals, it is important that I maximise the calories in each small meal. Let me quote some extracts from the pamphlet ...
"Ensure all dairy foods are FULL FAT as these will provide your body with extra energy"
"If you do have an alcoholic drink you may feel the effects much more quickly so be careful"
"Add margarine or butter to vegetables, potatoes, bread and chapattis. Don't use a low fat spread"
"Double cream can be added to a variety of savoury and sweet foods"
Breakfast Ideas:
"Breakfast cereal with full fat milk"
Mid-morning snack ideas
"Melt in the mouth" crisps such as Quavers, Skips or Monster Munch"
"Custard"
"Angel Delight"
Main meal ideas
"Stew"
"Curry and Rice"
Mid-afternoon snack ideas
"Cake"
This has to be the only diet sheet I have ever seen with "Cake" and "Monster Munch" on it!! Overall it reads like a list of all my favourite foods, so I'm pretty happy to be honest!
Unfortunately, that's all in the future as I have to be Nil By Mouth from midnight tonight until my scan at 1pm tomorrow. This includes my food supplement being fed directly into my intestine, so I am going to be hungry tomorrow morning, just like before all my other scans - one of the worst sides to this illness, all the starvation periods!!
That's all for today - more tomorrow when I will hopefully be drunk on the glorious taste of water!
Cheers,
C x
Saturday 14 February 2009
Saturday 14 February 2009
Valentine's Day! Fifty quid for a rose anyone? (just call me Mr Cynical!)
Quite an eventful day today - surgeon came round and ordered my staples to be removed in the neck wound (not the main wound yet though) and the Central Catheter to be removed from my neck as well (infection risk apparently). All this happened pretty quickly this morning. I now have my morphine, paracetemol and saline into a normal canular in the back of my left hand.
In the period in between disconnecting the neck line and reconnecting the hand line, I was able to go to the bathoom and have a decent wash. Quite nice, but it did tire me out quite quickly.
I've had a welcome influx of visitors again today - Dave and Matt and Martin and later Colin, Nova and Livia which was really nice and helped the day go quickly. I'm nicely relaxed now and will sleep well tonight!
So, on to the saga of the Pesky Nodule then ...
The great news is that while the surgeon was inside, he managed to find the "invisible" nodule and it was luckily in a postion that he could remove it along with the main tumour. The possible bad news is that the nodule did appear to be cancerous. This means that either this was a second primary tumour, or the main tumour has showm the ability to spread. If it is the latter, although there are no other signs of spread, the process may have started in other areas, yet to materialise.
The next step is that the tumour and surrounding material removed during the op has been sent away for analysis ("histology"). This will show a number of things: how the tumour is formed - are there cancerous cells on the "margins" for instance, which helps to indicate whether the tumour was ready to spread - and how the tumour responded to the chemotherapy. This all helps to determine if there is any post-operative treatment they should do (post-surgery chemo cycles are quite common, as is post-surgery radiotherapy). I should find out the situation in a couple of weeks, and whether they plan any further treatment. Not sure the implications of any of this yet - it may just be belt and braces, or it may be more serious. Nothing for me to worry about in the short-term anyway!
The other story I promised you involves the epidural that was fitted before the surgery. The anaesthetist told me that he had to fit the epidural after I was asleep in the end, as it was really hard to get in (I only have small gaps between my vertebrae apparently - you learn something new about yourself every day!). He was describing and apologising for the pain and discomfort that he caused me whilst trying to fit it. The amazing thing is that although I was awake and compos mentis during this period, I have absolutely no recollection of it. My mind has obviously extended the period of the surgery to completely blank out the pain and discomfort of the epidural as well! You won't hear me complaining though! Worst part of all of this is that the epidural fell out on Tuesday anyway, so it wasn't worth the fuss!
Anyway, enough rambling - time for a kip!
Remind me to tell you tomorrow about the diet guidance I got from the nutritionist - it's great news!
Cheers Ears,
C x
Quite an eventful day today - surgeon came round and ordered my staples to be removed in the neck wound (not the main wound yet though) and the Central Catheter to be removed from my neck as well (infection risk apparently). All this happened pretty quickly this morning. I now have my morphine, paracetemol and saline into a normal canular in the back of my left hand.
In the period in between disconnecting the neck line and reconnecting the hand line, I was able to go to the bathoom and have a decent wash. Quite nice, but it did tire me out quite quickly.
I've had a welcome influx of visitors again today - Dave and Matt and Martin and later Colin, Nova and Livia which was really nice and helped the day go quickly. I'm nicely relaxed now and will sleep well tonight!
So, on to the saga of the Pesky Nodule then ...
The great news is that while the surgeon was inside, he managed to find the "invisible" nodule and it was luckily in a postion that he could remove it along with the main tumour. The possible bad news is that the nodule did appear to be cancerous. This means that either this was a second primary tumour, or the main tumour has showm the ability to spread. If it is the latter, although there are no other signs of spread, the process may have started in other areas, yet to materialise.
The next step is that the tumour and surrounding material removed during the op has been sent away for analysis ("histology"). This will show a number of things: how the tumour is formed - are there cancerous cells on the "margins" for instance, which helps to indicate whether the tumour was ready to spread - and how the tumour responded to the chemotherapy. This all helps to determine if there is any post-operative treatment they should do (post-surgery chemo cycles are quite common, as is post-surgery radiotherapy). I should find out the situation in a couple of weeks, and whether they plan any further treatment. Not sure the implications of any of this yet - it may just be belt and braces, or it may be more serious. Nothing for me to worry about in the short-term anyway!
The other story I promised you involves the epidural that was fitted before the surgery. The anaesthetist told me that he had to fit the epidural after I was asleep in the end, as it was really hard to get in (I only have small gaps between my vertebrae apparently - you learn something new about yourself every day!). He was describing and apologising for the pain and discomfort that he caused me whilst trying to fit it. The amazing thing is that although I was awake and compos mentis during this period, I have absolutely no recollection of it. My mind has obviously extended the period of the surgery to completely blank out the pain and discomfort of the epidural as well! You won't hear me complaining though! Worst part of all of this is that the epidural fell out on Tuesday anyway, so it wasn't worth the fuss!
Anyway, enough rambling - time for a kip!
Remind me to tell you tomorrow about the diet guidance I got from the nutritionist - it's great news!
Cheers Ears,
C x
Friday 13 February 2009
Friday 13th February 2009
People keep reminding me that it is Friday 13th today and that there are two in two months, so an unprecedented amount of bad luck might be on its way!
However, it is at this point that I point out that having been born on a Friday 13th (December 1963), I really can't afford to be superstitious!
Another good day today - I've been sitting out of bed since 8.30 and have been standing up unaided on many occasions (unfortunately I can't actually go very far once I'm stood up, due to my "connections"). Physios did take me for a walk around the unit (until I got scolded by the staff nurse for flashing my arse at them - it's not my fault they give me a gown with nothing at the back!! :)
I am currently connected to: 1. Urine cathetar (into willy), 2. Chest drain (into left lung cavity), 3. Oxygen (into nose), 4. Morphine pump (into neck "central cathetar"), 5. saline IV (into neck cathetar), 6. Jevity food (into lower intestine via hole in the groin), 7. Paraetemol drip (into neck cathetar).
Until yesterday I also had a permanent connection to a ECG via three stick-on patches, a permanent connection to a blood-pressure armband and a permanent clip on my finger for oxygen saturation. Since these have all been removed I feel much more mobile! :)
Unfortunately I can't post pictures to the blog via the PDA, but we'll take some and post them when I get home!
Gradually these will all be taken out until I finally win my freedom sometime next week.
Saw my scars for the first time in a mirror today and they are not too bad considering - again pictures to follow.
I am recalling a couple of conversations with the surgeon (regarding "the pesky nodule") and anaesthetist (regarding "the pesky epidural") which I will save until tomorrow as I've written too much already today, so tune in then for the next instalment! (see, I'm even learning from the soaps to include a "hook" at the end of each episode!)
Cheers
Col x
However, it is at this point that I point out that having been born on a Friday 13th (December 1963), I really can't afford to be superstitious!
Another good day today - I've been sitting out of bed since 8.30 and have been standing up unaided on many occasions (unfortunately I can't actually go very far once I'm stood up, due to my "connections"). Physios did take me for a walk around the unit (until I got scolded by the staff nurse for flashing my arse at them - it's not my fault they give me a gown with nothing at the back!! :)
I am currently connected to: 1. Urine cathetar (into willy), 2. Chest drain (into left lung cavity), 3. Oxygen (into nose), 4. Morphine pump (into neck "central cathetar"), 5. saline IV (into neck cathetar), 6. Jevity food (into lower intestine via hole in the groin), 7. Paraetemol drip (into neck cathetar).
Until yesterday I also had a permanent connection to a ECG via three stick-on patches, a permanent connection to a blood-pressure armband and a permanent clip on my finger for oxygen saturation. Since these have all been removed I feel much more mobile! :)
Unfortunately I can't post pictures to the blog via the PDA, but we'll take some and post them when I get home!
Gradually these will all be taken out until I finally win my freedom sometime next week.
Saw my scars for the first time in a mirror today and they are not too bad considering - again pictures to follow.
I am recalling a couple of conversations with the surgeon (regarding "the pesky nodule") and anaesthetist (regarding "the pesky epidural") which I will save until tomorrow as I've written too much already today, so tune in then for the next instalment! (see, I'm even learning from the soaps to include a "hook" at the end of each episode!)
Cheers
Col x
Thursday 12 February 2009
Thursday 12th February 2009
Hi all!
I've just woken up from the first real "nap" I have taken since the op. This is the first time I have closed my eyes for what seemed like 5 minutes and have awoken actually two hours later (which is usually the norm).
One of the strageish sensations I have been having since Monday is the constant feeling that I have awoken having had a 5-minute nap and expecting the clock to have passed an hour or so, only to find that exactly 5 minutes had passed! This has meant that time (especially at night) has passed extremely slowly compared to usual. Probably a lot to do with the Morphine.
Today I have been surprising people (including myself) with how able I am to stand up and walk with just a little help with my balance. Overall I am much more able than I thought I would be!
I am back on the York Suite and definitely up for visitors if anyone wants to pop over. Getting a bit busy on Saturday and Sunday, but let me know by phone, email or text and I will try and make sure there are no overlaps (I'll contact a few of you in person after this update to arrange/confirm previous arrangements).
thanks for the cards by the way (Sue, Nita & Nona, Dave & Caz, and The Columbians) which greeted me here!
Vanda has also been passing on good messages from various people.
I accidentally swallowed a mouthful of water today. no strange sensation and no significant impact although I am not supppsed to swallow anything until Monday really.
Morphine has been doing its job well, although I have rarely needed it for direct pain relief, its more for the sensation to be honest - has been helping with the sleeping etc. It is making this update a bit hard though - I can't remember what I wrote yesterday for example!
I think I've said what I meant to say without repeating myself too much!
The comments seem to be back to normal too, although I have been able to filter out the crap. Don't worry, it's a long story and the two people getting filtered know exactly who they are and that they are not welcome here any more. (unfortunately, it is not as intriguing for everyone else as it sounds)
I'm off to enjoy some telly and phone calls now. See you tomorrow! :)
Col x
I've just woken up from the first real "nap" I have taken since the op. This is the first time I have closed my eyes for what seemed like 5 minutes and have awoken actually two hours later (which is usually the norm).
One of the strageish sensations I have been having since Monday is the constant feeling that I have awoken having had a 5-minute nap and expecting the clock to have passed an hour or so, only to find that exactly 5 minutes had passed! This has meant that time (especially at night) has passed extremely slowly compared to usual. Probably a lot to do with the Morphine.
Today I have been surprising people (including myself) with how able I am to stand up and walk with just a little help with my balance. Overall I am much more able than I thought I would be!
I am back on the York Suite and definitely up for visitors if anyone wants to pop over. Getting a bit busy on Saturday and Sunday, but let me know by phone, email or text and I will try and make sure there are no overlaps (I'll contact a few of you in person after this update to arrange/confirm previous arrangements).
thanks for the cards by the way (Sue, Nita & Nona, Dave & Caz, and The Columbians) which greeted me here!
Vanda has also been passing on good messages from various people.
I accidentally swallowed a mouthful of water today. no strange sensation and no significant impact although I am not supppsed to swallow anything until Monday really.
Morphine has been doing its job well, although I have rarely needed it for direct pain relief, its more for the sensation to be honest - has been helping with the sleeping etc. It is making this update a bit hard though - I can't remember what I wrote yesterday for example!
I think I've said what I meant to say without repeating myself too much!
The comments seem to be back to normal too, although I have been able to filter out the crap. Don't worry, it's a long story and the two people getting filtered know exactly who they are and that they are not welcome here any more. (unfortunately, it is not as intriguing for everyone else as it sounds)
I'm off to enjoy some telly and phone calls now. See you tomorrow! :)
Col x
Wednesday 11 February 2009
Wednesday 11th February 2009
Hi folks, it's Colin! back to blog with only 2 days interruption (would have only been one if I was allowed a phone in ICU!) - thanks to Vanda for stepping in and keeping everyone updated.
As you have hopefully gathered I am doing very well, with good recovery so far and very little pain. I have been out of bed today, standing up and sitting in a chair for several hours. Physios, surgeons, ICU staff and anaesthatist are all very happy with my progress, as am I. Surgery went very well and I can't believe my wounds are exposed and not heavily dressed.
I am being hydrated via IV and fed something called "Jevity" through a tube into my intestine - so far have not experienced any hunger.
I have just moved to an interim ward today, but will be back at the York Suite tomorrow hopefully. surgeon wanted me to go straight there today as I was doing so well, but unfortunately some beurocracy got in the way. Never mind!
I will be up for visitors as soon as I make it to the York Suite. please drop me an email or a text if you want to come in so I can make sure there are no clashes.
On that note, I have unfortunately had to turn on monitoring of comments on this blog - I am not one for censorship, but there have been a couple of inappropriate comments posted, not related to the subject of the blog at all, and designed to cause upset - unbelieveable that someone would choose such a medium to assert their own mistaken agenda. hopefully the relevant posts have been removed before causing any widespread harm, but unfortunately this means that I now have to moderate all comments and this might mean a delay.
I will hopefully be able to post some more stuff tomorrow, but I hink it's time for a couple of Morphine shots (for the pain of course! ;)
Cheers, and glad to be back on this side of the anaestetic!
Col xx
As you have hopefully gathered I am doing very well, with good recovery so far and very little pain. I have been out of bed today, standing up and sitting in a chair for several hours. Physios, surgeons, ICU staff and anaesthatist are all very happy with my progress, as am I. Surgery went very well and I can't believe my wounds are exposed and not heavily dressed.
I am being hydrated via IV and fed something called "Jevity" through a tube into my intestine - so far have not experienced any hunger.
I have just moved to an interim ward today, but will be back at the York Suite tomorrow hopefully. surgeon wanted me to go straight there today as I was doing so well, but unfortunately some beurocracy got in the way. Never mind!
I will be up for visitors as soon as I make it to the York Suite. please drop me an email or a text if you want to come in so I can make sure there are no clashes.
On that note, I have unfortunately had to turn on monitoring of comments on this blog - I am not one for censorship, but there have been a couple of inappropriate comments posted, not related to the subject of the blog at all, and designed to cause upset - unbelieveable that someone would choose such a medium to assert their own mistaken agenda. hopefully the relevant posts have been removed before causing any widespread harm, but unfortunately this means that I now have to moderate all comments and this might mean a delay.
I will hopefully be able to post some more stuff tomorrow, but I hink it's time for a couple of Morphine shots (for the pain of course! ;)
Cheers, and glad to be back on this side of the anaestetic!
Col xx
Tuesday 10 February 2009
Surgery day 2
Hi Folks,
Just to let you know that Col continues to make great progress and can't wait to be sharing his "shark" stories with those of you who have a a stomach for it!
It is hoped that he will be able to return to the York suite on Thursday, where he will be reunited with his blackberry and MP3 player!
I look forward to further instruction on which pile of various grey matter stimuli to bring in with me on a daily basis.
I met with the surgeon and the anaesthetist today, both of whom were very pleased with Col, who remains very up-beat and humorous, in spite of it all.
More to come tomorrow
All the best
Vanda
Just to let you know that Col continues to make great progress and can't wait to be sharing his "shark" stories with those of you who have a a stomach for it!
It is hoped that he will be able to return to the York suite on Thursday, where he will be reunited with his blackberry and MP3 player!
I look forward to further instruction on which pile of various grey matter stimuli to bring in with me on a daily basis.
I met with the surgeon and the anaesthetist today, both of whom were very pleased with Col, who remains very up-beat and humorous, in spite of it all.
More to come tomorrow
All the best
Vanda
Monday 9 February 2009
Monday 9th February
Day of surgery:
Evening everybody,
It's Vanda here, with the very important responsibility of letting you all know how today went for Colin, who has remained so brave and pragmatic throughout this very anxious period.
Today was a very long one for me, waiting for the phone call that would let me know Col was out of surgery and on the ITU, which came at about 5.50pm.
To be honest I wasn't really expecting Col to be aware I was even there this evening, however I was very pleasantly surprised that, not only awake and alert, he had a healthy pink flush of colour to him and his voice was unchanged. (We'd been warned that he may be left with a hoarseness!)
I was unable to talk to a member of the surgical team this evening, to obtain any detailed information regarding the procedure and their findings, however it was good to hear from the charge nurse that the procedure had gone exactly to plan, according to the surgeon. I am hopeful to have a chat with him tomorrow.
Apart from an understandable level of pain on exhalation, the oxygen mask seemed to be proving more of an irritant as it was making him hot and sticky. He has an epidural delivering local anaesthetic and a morphine driver that he is able to administer himself.
A big big "thank you" for all of your well wishes, which keep Col's spirits up no end, I know, so keep them coming.
I shall be back tomorrow to let you know how he's doing.
All the best
Vanda
Evening everybody,
It's Vanda here, with the very important responsibility of letting you all know how today went for Colin, who has remained so brave and pragmatic throughout this very anxious period.
Today was a very long one for me, waiting for the phone call that would let me know Col was out of surgery and on the ITU, which came at about 5.50pm.
To be honest I wasn't really expecting Col to be aware I was even there this evening, however I was very pleasantly surprised that, not only awake and alert, he had a healthy pink flush of colour to him and his voice was unchanged. (We'd been warned that he may be left with a hoarseness!)
I was unable to talk to a member of the surgical team this evening, to obtain any detailed information regarding the procedure and their findings, however it was good to hear from the charge nurse that the procedure had gone exactly to plan, according to the surgeon. I am hopeful to have a chat with him tomorrow.
Apart from an understandable level of pain on exhalation, the oxygen mask seemed to be proving more of an irritant as it was making him hot and sticky. He has an epidural delivering local anaesthetic and a morphine driver that he is able to administer himself.
A big big "thank you" for all of your well wishes, which keep Col's spirits up no end, I know, so keep them coming.
I shall be back tomorrow to let you know how he's doing.
All the best
Vanda
Sunday 8 February 2009
Sunday 8th February 2009 - part 2
I never fail to be amazed by how unusable Internet Explorer is on Windows Mobile (browser on my PDA) especially when you see how the iPhone works! Managed to get here in the end though!
So I'm in my hospital room now ("Suite 1" I'll have you know!), and the first thing I have to do is dispel the rumours about the fruit. Yes Kate, most of it is plastic (not posh wood though, H), and I do have to admit that the bits that aren't (banana and oranges in case you are interested) are obviously Vanda's!
I've had my first enema, which wasn't as bad as I expected, and did the required job quickly and cleanly. Next one is due at 8pm.
Good news is that I do get a small meal after all (soup and jelly apparently) later this evening. Will be most welcome, as I'm seriously hungry at the moment!
Otherwise, all seems to be in order for tomorrow. We do have a snow warning, but hopefully it won't hit us here too hard - I'd hate to have the surgery postponed at this late date!
On a more serious note, I am conscious that there is a small risk involved in what I will be going through tomorrow. I'm not dwelling on it, and am fully expecting to wake up ok tomorrow, but it is important to recognise the risk.
I have of course considered the unthinkable a bit since I was originally diagnosed, and reflected on my life should the worst happen. However, I'm actually pretty happy with the situation so far - I have no regrets, and no ambitions that I would be disappointed to see unrealised. Of course there is still stuff I would like to do, but nothing that would see me unfulfilled. I've had a life full of great friends and personal opportunities and have had a hugely wide range of experiences over the years.
In no way am I trying to be morbid by the way, I just want to ensure that you know that I've thought about it and I'm happy with where I am at this point in time.
All that said, I am looking forward to many more good times to come over many more years, and I am especially looking forward to seeing you all again and showing off my manly scars! :)
Must go now, my Oesophagus's last meal has just arrived!
All my love,
Colin xxx
So I'm in my hospital room now ("Suite 1" I'll have you know!), and the first thing I have to do is dispel the rumours about the fruit. Yes Kate, most of it is plastic (not posh wood though, H), and I do have to admit that the bits that aren't (banana and oranges in case you are interested) are obviously Vanda's!
I've had my first enema, which wasn't as bad as I expected, and did the required job quickly and cleanly. Next one is due at 8pm.
Good news is that I do get a small meal after all (soup and jelly apparently) later this evening. Will be most welcome, as I'm seriously hungry at the moment!
Otherwise, all seems to be in order for tomorrow. We do have a snow warning, but hopefully it won't hit us here too hard - I'd hate to have the surgery postponed at this late date!
On a more serious note, I am conscious that there is a small risk involved in what I will be going through tomorrow. I'm not dwelling on it, and am fully expecting to wake up ok tomorrow, but it is important to recognise the risk.
I have of course considered the unthinkable a bit since I was originally diagnosed, and reflected on my life should the worst happen. However, I'm actually pretty happy with the situation so far - I have no regrets, and no ambitions that I would be disappointed to see unrealised. Of course there is still stuff I would like to do, but nothing that would see me unfulfilled. I've had a life full of great friends and personal opportunities and have had a hugely wide range of experiences over the years.
In no way am I trying to be morbid by the way, I just want to ensure that you know that I've thought about it and I'm happy with where I am at this point in time.
All that said, I am looking forward to many more good times to come over many more years, and I am especially looking forward to seeing you all again and showing off my manly scars! :)
Must go now, my Oesophagus's last meal has just arrived!
All my love,
Colin xxx
Sunday 8th February 2009 part 1
Hi All,
Just took a couple of photos for the "before and after". Will post some words from the hospital later.
Cheers
This one is dangerously close to some healthy fruit - can't have that! :)
Just took a couple of photos for the "before and after". Will post some words from the hospital later.
Cheers
This one is dangerously close to some healthy fruit - can't have that! :)
Saturday 7 February 2009
Saturday 7th February 2009
Have just been out for a curry at the World's best Indian restaurant - Akbar's in Bradford - for my final full meal for a long time. Unfortunately I got hit by all my swallowing problems and could only manage half of it, but it was very nice indeed as usual.
Just got home and will be trying to squeeze a few more snacks in before the midnight deadline.
I have been suffering from my swallowing problems a little bit more frequently and severely over the last week or so. I'm hoping it is nothing to worry about, but it's a bit late to do anything about it now, let's just get inside and see what the situation is. At least it reassures me that there is a point to me going through all the grief of surgery, as it can really get uncomfortable sometimes.
Will try and write a bit more once I get to the hospital tomorrow - it might help me take my mind off my starvation! :)
Thanks for all the great comments and calls etc - I will have my phone/pda with me throughout so can still send and receive texts, calls and emails and will be able to check the blog for comments etc once I've come around a bit.
Bye!
Just got home and will be trying to squeeze a few more snacks in before the midnight deadline.
I have been suffering from my swallowing problems a little bit more frequently and severely over the last week or so. I'm hoping it is nothing to worry about, but it's a bit late to do anything about it now, let's just get inside and see what the situation is. At least it reassures me that there is a point to me going through all the grief of surgery, as it can really get uncomfortable sometimes.
Will try and write a bit more once I get to the hospital tomorrow - it might help me take my mind off my starvation! :)
Thanks for all the great comments and calls etc - I will have my phone/pda with me throughout so can still send and receive texts, calls and emails and will be able to check the blog for comments etc once I've come around a bit.
Bye!
Friday 6 February 2009
Friday 6th February 2009
Firstly, a few people have asked for the details of the hospital. I will probably be in intensive care/high dependency etc for a couple of days, but after that I will be back on the ward at
The York Suite
Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust
Bradford Royal Infirmary
Duckworth Lane
Bradford
West Yorkshire
England
BD9 6RJ
Telephone +44 (0) 1274 364668
I'm due to be in hospital for 12 days (the standard for this procedure), but this may be extended if necessary
I will get back to the blog as soon as I can to let people know when I'm up for visits, but in the meantime Vanda will hopefully be able to post a couple of messages to let you know progress.
I heard this morning that I now have to go without solid food all day Sunday (fluids only) which is a nightmare! Even a few hours without food affects me badly, but all day Sunday, all night and then Monday morning too (surgery will be around 10.30am apparently) - I'm going to be chewing my fingers off!
Cheers x
The York Suite
Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust
Bradford Royal Infirmary
Duckworth Lane
Bradford
West Yorkshire
England
BD9 6RJ
Telephone +44 (0) 1274 364668
I'm due to be in hospital for 12 days (the standard for this procedure), but this may be extended if necessary
I will get back to the blog as soon as I can to let people know when I'm up for visits, but in the meantime Vanda will hopefully be able to post a couple of messages to let you know progress.
I heard this morning that I now have to go without solid food all day Sunday (fluids only) which is a nightmare! Even a few hours without food affects me badly, but all day Sunday, all night and then Monday morning too (surgery will be around 10.30am apparently) - I'm going to be chewing my fingers off!
Cheers x
Thursday 5 February 2009
Thursday 5th February 2009
We had a little more snow last night, maybe another inch. Enough to be irritating, but not enough to be impressive!
Poor old electrician has spent the day wiring in cabling in the new part of the garden for the outdoor lighting - not a fun task in -1 degrees, but he wants the first part of his money tomorrow, so I guess he had no choice!
I've been out signing my will and having a pre-assessment at the hospital to check I am ok for the anaesthetic etc. Had an ECG test, blood-pressure etc and a blood test. Nurse had to try three times to get the blood she needed (right arm, left hand, right arm again). The problem is that guidelines say they have to wear latex gloves, but they stop them being able to feel what they are doing properly. Finally she took them off and all was fine, but I feel a bit like a pin cushion!
I was told that I have to have a series of enemas on Sunday and Monday to clear me out before the surgery, so that's going to be a fun start to the process! Kaz, I'll try and get some photos ... only kidding! Thanks for the tip on the ear plugs by the way, I'll make sure I take some.
I've been planning my "last meals" for the remaining days - all indulgent and mostly unhealthy stuff - fillet steak tonight, 28-day matured from the posh farm shop in Harrogate - lovely (£22 for two steaks though!), Akbar's curry tomorrow night and some kind of scrummy homemade slow-cooked stew on Saturday - yum yum!
iPod in the kitchen is playing the Banana Splits theme at the moment - who remembers that? Excellent choice!
See you tomorrow, got to go and keep the cat away from the steaks! :)
C
Poor old electrician has spent the day wiring in cabling in the new part of the garden for the outdoor lighting - not a fun task in -1 degrees, but he wants the first part of his money tomorrow, so I guess he had no choice!
I've been out signing my will and having a pre-assessment at the hospital to check I am ok for the anaesthetic etc. Had an ECG test, blood-pressure etc and a blood test. Nurse had to try three times to get the blood she needed (right arm, left hand, right arm again). The problem is that guidelines say they have to wear latex gloves, but they stop them being able to feel what they are doing properly. Finally she took them off and all was fine, but I feel a bit like a pin cushion!
I was told that I have to have a series of enemas on Sunday and Monday to clear me out before the surgery, so that's going to be a fun start to the process! Kaz, I'll try and get some photos ... only kidding! Thanks for the tip on the ear plugs by the way, I'll make sure I take some.
I've been planning my "last meals" for the remaining days - all indulgent and mostly unhealthy stuff - fillet steak tonight, 28-day matured from the posh farm shop in Harrogate - lovely (£22 for two steaks though!), Akbar's curry tomorrow night and some kind of scrummy homemade slow-cooked stew on Saturday - yum yum!
iPod in the kitchen is playing the Banana Splits theme at the moment - who remembers that? Excellent choice!
See you tomorrow, got to go and keep the cat away from the steaks! :)
C
Wednesday 4 February 2009
Wednesday 4th February 2009
I am very disappointed to read this morning that Jade Goody's cancer has spread and she has now been switched from curative to palliative care (i.e. the cancer is now considered terminal).
Whilst not a big fan of her during her "celebrity" period, I have huge admiration for how she has handled herself since she was diagnosed - she has displayed a strong and positive attitude, especially given the fact that she has been living in the public eye (although with Max Clifford involved, this is of course intentional - I even thought the initial diagnosis might have been a sick publicity stunt, but sadly not). No-one deserves the news she has had today, and I wish her all the best. To be honest it has scared me a little how quickly her situation has changed around.
One thing I have noticed is that more and more "celebrities" seem to be being affected by cancer - Kylie Minogue and Patrick Swayze immediately spring to mind. I'm sure this is not actually the case, it is more to do with the fact that they are prepared to be in the news rather than fading into the background to deal with it privately, but it does bring it home that this can happen to anyone at any time, and is not just the domain of the "common people".
Colin.
Whilst not a big fan of her during her "celebrity" period, I have huge admiration for how she has handled herself since she was diagnosed - she has displayed a strong and positive attitude, especially given the fact that she has been living in the public eye (although with Max Clifford involved, this is of course intentional - I even thought the initial diagnosis might have been a sick publicity stunt, but sadly not). No-one deserves the news she has had today, and I wish her all the best. To be honest it has scared me a little how quickly her situation has changed around.
One thing I have noticed is that more and more "celebrities" seem to be being affected by cancer - Kylie Minogue and Patrick Swayze immediately spring to mind. I'm sure this is not actually the case, it is more to do with the fact that they are prepared to be in the news rather than fading into the background to deal with it privately, but it does bring it home that this can happen to anyone at any time, and is not just the domain of the "common people".
Colin.
Tuesday 3 February 2009
Tuesday 3rd February 2009
So it appears that most of you Southerners aren't too impressed with my snow then!
I guess it finally dispels the myth that "It's grim Up North", because the South has had much worse weather it seems than we have.
However, Andy T's claims of 12" I'm not sure I believe - but even if it's true, I still think 4" is more than enough for any man, and it's not what you've got anyway, it's what you do with it, and I've been scraping mine with a shovel (oo-er missus :)
Things are still moving on gradually for D-Day (that's "disembowelment-day" by the way!) - I have to go into the hospital on Thursday afternoon for a "pre-assessment" - basically more blood tests to make sure I'm in good shape for the anaesthetic (this blog system is obviously American as it's trying to complain about my spelling there, but it's wrong, I have spelled it correctly thank-you! ...) - then it will be a case of being admitted on Sunday afternoon ready for first-thing Monday.
That's all for today - happy snow-clearing (unless you are in sunnier climes of course, in which case we all hate you! :)
C x
I guess it finally dispels the myth that "It's grim Up North", because the South has had much worse weather it seems than we have.
However, Andy T's claims of 12" I'm not sure I believe - but even if it's true, I still think 4" is more than enough for any man, and it's not what you've got anyway, it's what you do with it, and I've been scraping mine with a shovel (oo-er missus :)
Things are still moving on gradually for D-Day (that's "disembowelment-day" by the way!) - I have to go into the hospital on Thursday afternoon for a "pre-assessment" - basically more blood tests to make sure I'm in good shape for the anaesthetic (this blog system is obviously American as it's trying to complain about my spelling there, but it's wrong, I have spelled it correctly thank-you! ...) - then it will be a case of being admitted on Sunday afternoon ready for first-thing Monday.
That's all for today - happy snow-clearing (unless you are in sunnier climes of course, in which case we all hate you! :)
C x
Monday 2 February 2009
Monday 2nd February 2009
My trees last week:
And this morning:
We've had about 3 inches of snow so far, and it's snowing again now and expected to keep going til about 1am.
Our work event in London tomorrow has been postponed, so luckily I don't have to venture out in this today or tomorrow!
I spent quite a long time on the phone to my CNS (Clinical Nurse Specialist) today, discussing what will happen after I wake up from the surgery. Apparently I will be fed through a tube into my lower intestine for about a week, bypassing the area of the surgery, and will have another tube down my throat for that period, designed to keep my stomach empty. After about a week, I have a swallow test, where I have to swallow a liquid whilst they scan me with some gizmo which looks for leaks (nice image). Then I move onto sips of liquid, followed by unlimited liquids and finally soft solids. By the time I go home I should be eating reasonable levels of solid food.
After a few weeks I should be eating most foods again, but it is expected that I might get a "tightness" whilst swallowing, which might resemble the feeling I am getting at the moment. I've been reassured that this isn't the cancer coming back, but is likely to be caused by the scar tissue around the join. If this happens, I then have to have another tube down the throat with a stretching device which will stretch the join (another wonderful image - anyone feeling queasy yet apart from me?)
I've been told that I am unlikely to notice any odd feelings caused by my stomach being in the wrong place - all my sensations will be related to the wound areas and should be addressed by pain management (I'm not keen on the word "should" in that sentence!)
I have also been told that there is a slim chance that my surgery might be postponed (as there always is with "routine" surgery). This is due to the fact that they can't book HDU (High Dependency Unit - i.e. Intensive Care) beds more than a day or so in advance, as there is always the possibility of an emergency op taking precedence. Unlikely, but just something that happens occasionally - I should know for absolute definite by the weekend, and assuming all is ok, I will be admitted at 3pm on Sunday ready for the op first thing Monday morning.
Enough for now - time to go and do something to take my mind off it again! :)
Cheers
And this morning:
We've had about 3 inches of snow so far, and it's snowing again now and expected to keep going til about 1am.
Our work event in London tomorrow has been postponed, so luckily I don't have to venture out in this today or tomorrow!
I spent quite a long time on the phone to my CNS (Clinical Nurse Specialist) today, discussing what will happen after I wake up from the surgery. Apparently I will be fed through a tube into my lower intestine for about a week, bypassing the area of the surgery, and will have another tube down my throat for that period, designed to keep my stomach empty. After about a week, I have a swallow test, where I have to swallow a liquid whilst they scan me with some gizmo which looks for leaks (nice image). Then I move onto sips of liquid, followed by unlimited liquids and finally soft solids. By the time I go home I should be eating reasonable levels of solid food.
After a few weeks I should be eating most foods again, but it is expected that I might get a "tightness" whilst swallowing, which might resemble the feeling I am getting at the moment. I've been reassured that this isn't the cancer coming back, but is likely to be caused by the scar tissue around the join. If this happens, I then have to have another tube down the throat with a stretching device which will stretch the join (another wonderful image - anyone feeling queasy yet apart from me?)
I've been told that I am unlikely to notice any odd feelings caused by my stomach being in the wrong place - all my sensations will be related to the wound areas and should be addressed by pain management (I'm not keen on the word "should" in that sentence!)
I have also been told that there is a slim chance that my surgery might be postponed (as there always is with "routine" surgery). This is due to the fact that they can't book HDU (High Dependency Unit - i.e. Intensive Care) beds more than a day or so in advance, as there is always the possibility of an emergency op taking precedence. Unlikely, but just something that happens occasionally - I should know for absolute definite by the weekend, and assuming all is ok, I will be admitted at 3pm on Sunday ready for the op first thing Monday morning.
Enough for now - time to go and do something to take my mind off it again! :)
Cheers
Sunday 1 February 2009
Sunday 1st February 2009
Hi All,
Feeling much better today as expected, but nothing particular to report, so here is a link to something I was sent quite a few years ago (even before the badgers!) and have just recently rediscovered - check it out!
Airport Announcements
And a picture for good measure:
Cheers,
Colin x
Feeling much better today as expected, but nothing particular to report, so here is a link to something I was sent quite a few years ago (even before the badgers!) and have just recently rediscovered - check it out!
Airport Announcements
And a picture for good measure:
Cheers,
Colin x
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