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
Friday, 13 February 2009
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! :)
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