I was so pleased about my walk on Wednesday but life isn't all plain-sailing as I found out that night. I had been asleep about an hour when I woke up and became aware I was lying in a puddle. Yes, it was a real puddle rather than just a damp patch. So it was a strip the bed type puddle and kept us awake doing it including, of course, the time it took me to change my bag.
It had leaked from the side of the bag which, I think had over-filled because there was a twist in the pipe to the night bag.
This was my first overnight accident since coming home some six weeks ago and the first time I have wet the bed since I was a child apart, of course, from those incidents in hospital which their damned fault, not mine.
At least I am pretty sure I know why it happened so I'll be more vigilant in future.
Friday, 31 December 2010
Wednesday, 29 December 2010
These Boots Are Made For Walking!
And that's exactly what they did this morning.
I walked the mile to the Village, did my shopping and then pulled the buggy back. OK, I was starting to flag a bit for the last couple of hundred yards but I did it.
Luckily the snow and ice had all gone, of course, because I wouldn't have dared risk a fall had it still been slippery out there but it was a fine, mild morning and I enjoyed the walk. It was good to do that walk without being in pain and wondering whether or not I could get home before my bladder let me down.
Today I went out with a leg bag attached and despite my concerns it showed no sign of coming adrift as I walked. My only problem was that wearing jogging pants there was no way of adequately securing them and I had that uneasy feeling that they were gradually coming down but of course that was just in my head. However I really must see if I can get into any of my jeans now that my stomach is a lot less tender than it was.
I walked the mile to the Village, did my shopping and then pulled the buggy back. OK, I was starting to flag a bit for the last couple of hundred yards but I did it.
Luckily the snow and ice had all gone, of course, because I wouldn't have dared risk a fall had it still been slippery out there but it was a fine, mild morning and I enjoyed the walk. It was good to do that walk without being in pain and wondering whether or not I could get home before my bladder let me down.
Today I went out with a leg bag attached and despite my concerns it showed no sign of coming adrift as I walked. My only problem was that wearing jogging pants there was no way of adequately securing them and I had that uneasy feeling that they were gradually coming down but of course that was just in my head. However I really must see if I can get into any of my jeans now that my stomach is a lot less tender than it was.
Wednesday, 22 December 2010
Some Good, Some Bad
yesterday, Tuesday, was to discover the results of the recent CT scan on my lungs assessing the size of that "indeterminate" nodule that was discovered accidentally in September.
I have learnt to expect bad news so it was with increasing anxiety that I sat waiting for the consultant to see me and it was a long wait. I grew more and more angry as the time passed and I was finally seen an hour and three quarters after my appointment time. I made my displeasure known and said that keeping patients hanging about like that without a word of explanation or apology was utterly unacceptable. I don't think they even grasped why I was so angry so ingrained in NHS psyche is the attitude that, although doctor must not be kept waiting, the patient can be kept waiting as long as suits the doctor.
Anyway, to the more important issue. That damned nodule has grown. It was 11mmx11mm and three months later is now 12mmx12mm. My immediate reaction is that must be within the margin of error of the equipment and Dr. B. did not argue with that statement. Thinking about it since I am even more persuaded that it could be such as, of course, owing to my recent surgery my muscular structure around my abdomen is very different from what it was in September and the incision came right up to my ribs. The position of the lower lobe of my lung as I lay on the CT scan bed could easily have been different from what it was three months earlier.
Of course in another three months if there is another increase in size however small then it can't be ignored. Dr. B's view was that this "creeper" as he described it, would grow more rapidly at some point next year.
We talked treatment options. There is a new radiotherapy option which, instead of giving about 20 low-powered zaps gives 3 or 4 high-powered zaps. There is also a surgical option, possibly using keyhole techniques which Dr B said was more certain in that it removed the suspect tissue completely from the body and allowed it to be examined microscopicly whereas with radiotherapy it's still in the body and you are guessing as to its exact nature.
I gather it's too small to bother doing a biopsy first.
At least, even if it does grow, it has been picked up early so there is a very good chance that the treatment will be successful.
I have learnt to expect bad news so it was with increasing anxiety that I sat waiting for the consultant to see me and it was a long wait. I grew more and more angry as the time passed and I was finally seen an hour and three quarters after my appointment time. I made my displeasure known and said that keeping patients hanging about like that without a word of explanation or apology was utterly unacceptable. I don't think they even grasped why I was so angry so ingrained in NHS psyche is the attitude that, although doctor must not be kept waiting, the patient can be kept waiting as long as suits the doctor.
Anyway, to the more important issue. That damned nodule has grown. It was 11mmx11mm and three months later is now 12mmx12mm. My immediate reaction is that must be within the margin of error of the equipment and Dr. B. did not argue with that statement. Thinking about it since I am even more persuaded that it could be such as, of course, owing to my recent surgery my muscular structure around my abdomen is very different from what it was in September and the incision came right up to my ribs. The position of the lower lobe of my lung as I lay on the CT scan bed could easily have been different from what it was three months earlier.
Of course in another three months if there is another increase in size however small then it can't be ignored. Dr. B's view was that this "creeper" as he described it, would grow more rapidly at some point next year.
We talked treatment options. There is a new radiotherapy option which, instead of giving about 20 low-powered zaps gives 3 or 4 high-powered zaps. There is also a surgical option, possibly using keyhole techniques which Dr B said was more certain in that it removed the suspect tissue completely from the body and allowed it to be examined microscopicly whereas with radiotherapy it's still in the body and you are guessing as to its exact nature.
I gather it's too small to bother doing a biopsy first.
At least, even if it does grow, it has been picked up early so there is a very good chance that the treatment will be successful.
Friday, 10 December 2010
The NHS Strikes Back
After yesterday's brilliant performance when everything ran like a well-oiled machine the NHS returned to normal today - with a vengeance.
Ann and I arrived on time for my 10:30 appointment but after a few minutes one of the nurses told us that as there were only three doctors running the clinic they were running an hour behind. That turned out to be a rather optimistic estimate as it was noon before I was called in.
The actual consultation with Mr. C took only a few minutes. He was very happy with the way the wound was healing and although he said they had found some traces of cancer outside the bladder in the other tissues they had removed there was no need to panic.
It was agreed that CT scans should be coordinated between urology and lung departments and that my next urology appointment would be in about six months. In the meantime he wanted to arrange for some kidney function tests which involve a radioactive isotope being injected into me. I think this may be the same test that was carried out before my chemotherapy last year.
Then he said he wanted me to have a blood sample taken. This meant going downstairs and waiting in yet another queue for about half an hour. Why wasn't this done whilst I was sitting around twiddling my thumbs for an hour and a half upstairs? Does the NHS really not give a damn for the patients?
So it was about 1:30 before we got home, hungry and thirsty since we had had nothing to eat or drink since breakfast at about 7:00.
Ann and I arrived on time for my 10:30 appointment but after a few minutes one of the nurses told us that as there were only three doctors running the clinic they were running an hour behind. That turned out to be a rather optimistic estimate as it was noon before I was called in.
The actual consultation with Mr. C took only a few minutes. He was very happy with the way the wound was healing and although he said they had found some traces of cancer outside the bladder in the other tissues they had removed there was no need to panic.
It was agreed that CT scans should be coordinated between urology and lung departments and that my next urology appointment would be in about six months. In the meantime he wanted to arrange for some kidney function tests which involve a radioactive isotope being injected into me. I think this may be the same test that was carried out before my chemotherapy last year.
Then he said he wanted me to have a blood sample taken. This meant going downstairs and waiting in yet another queue for about half an hour. Why wasn't this done whilst I was sitting around twiddling my thumbs for an hour and a half upstairs? Does the NHS really not give a damn for the patients?
So it was about 1:30 before we got home, hungry and thirsty since we had had nothing to eat or drink since breakfast at about 7:00.
Thursday, 9 December 2010
CT Scan
Another day, another scan.
Well, sometimes it feels like that.
Just in case you've forgotten, during the checks before my bladder was removed three nodules were found in my lungs and a PET scan showed that one was in an "indeterminate" state and had to be watched. Today was the first of the three-monthly checks to make sure that damned thing isn't growing.
It seems such a minor thing compared to the state of my bladder but one thing I have learned is that cancer can come back and bite you on the bum just when your are least expecting it so I'm not assuming anything before I see the lung consultant for the results of this morning's scan on December 21st.
The scan went off remarkably smoothly and I was back home within an hour of leaving. I arrived five minutes early, I was called in a couple of minutes early and as soon as I stripped to the waist I was on the couch and the machine was running. The scan itself took less than five minutes and by the time I got back to the hospital's main entrance my cab was drawing up.
If I were a superstitious person I would think that such an easy day today can herald only bad news later.
And tomorrow is the follow up appointment after my surgery. They will have the results of the microscopic examination of the edges of the tissues they removed. I hope there is no bad news from that examination and I worry what the next step is if the news is bad.
More tomorrow.
Well, sometimes it feels like that.
Just in case you've forgotten, during the checks before my bladder was removed three nodules were found in my lungs and a PET scan showed that one was in an "indeterminate" state and had to be watched. Today was the first of the three-monthly checks to make sure that damned thing isn't growing.
It seems such a minor thing compared to the state of my bladder but one thing I have learned is that cancer can come back and bite you on the bum just when your are least expecting it so I'm not assuming anything before I see the lung consultant for the results of this morning's scan on December 21st.
The scan went off remarkably smoothly and I was back home within an hour of leaving. I arrived five minutes early, I was called in a couple of minutes early and as soon as I stripped to the waist I was on the couch and the machine was running. The scan itself took less than five minutes and by the time I got back to the hospital's main entrance my cab was drawing up.
If I were a superstitious person I would think that such an easy day today can herald only bad news later.
And tomorrow is the follow up appointment after my surgery. They will have the results of the microscopic examination of the edges of the tissues they removed. I hope there is no bad news from that examination and I worry what the next step is if the news is bad.
More tomorrow.
Tuesday, 7 December 2010
Shopping
Today was for replacing my wardrobe, or at least those bits of it which included trousers with a 34" waist. My younger son said he would come with me and we decided to avoid our massive local shopping centre as it would be packed with Christmas shoppers and opted instead to head for a local town centere, Altrincham, where I had heard there was a branch of Greenwoods, a traditional men's outfitters.
My reasoning was that I would need some advice and maybe a man who knew how to use a tape measure to get something suitable. If all else failed they could always do me a made to measure deal but as it turned out that wasn't necessary.
I am now the proud possessor of a suit and two pairs of slacks each with a high waist clear of my stoma and with a 40" waist. Ann has bought me a couple of pairs of smart braces so I'm now fully equipped.
The best thing about this outing was that I was away from home and the bathroom wearing a legbag and I didn't give it one thought through all that time. This has been a great psychological step forward.
Also when I got home I found that my court rota for next year had arrived by e-mail. I had said not to schedule any dates for January but Jan has done that. Since the first date is January 13th I am pretty sure I will be ready and eager to get back.
This has been a good day & I hope the rest of the week is as good. I have a CT scan to monitor those damned nodules in my lung on Thursday 9th and a urology appointment to follow up my surgery on Friday 10th. Let's hope for good news.
My reasoning was that I would need some advice and maybe a man who knew how to use a tape measure to get something suitable. If all else failed they could always do me a made to measure deal but as it turned out that wasn't necessary.
I am now the proud possessor of a suit and two pairs of slacks each with a high waist clear of my stoma and with a 40" waist. Ann has bought me a couple of pairs of smart braces so I'm now fully equipped.
The best thing about this outing was that I was away from home and the bathroom wearing a legbag and I didn't give it one thought through all that time. This has been a great psychological step forward.
Also when I got home I found that my court rota for next year had arrived by e-mail. I had said not to schedule any dates for January but Jan has done that. Since the first date is January 13th I am pretty sure I will be ready and eager to get back.
This has been a good day & I hope the rest of the week is as good. I have a CT scan to monitor those damned nodules in my lung on Thursday 9th and a urology appointment to follow up my surgery on Friday 10th. Let's hope for good news.
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