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!
Saturday, 7 February 2009
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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