Had an email this morning from M+S to say my £30 worth of support underwear has arrived in store.
Now sat in the hospital waiting area waiting for a urology consultant. The radiotherapy consultant had the test results, the haematoma is infected. She contacted the oncology registrar and he came down to see me. He has now gone off to see the Mr Mehai, the surgeon who did the original job to see what's next. The options range from sending me home with some antibiotics to keeping me in until they can operate. The first sounds the least likely to succeed the second is preposterous. Why would I want to sit around in hospital waiting until they can operate?
Anyway, I will keep you posted.
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Friday, 19 April 2013
Thursday, 18 April 2013
Still Sore
Well it has been slightly less difficult as the swelling has been reduced by the fluid that Mr Mehai drew off on Monday. But it's still BLOODY SORE! I am on 5 or 6 pain killers a day and avoiding walking too much. My sister (an expert researcher) discovered that the Great Britain 2012 athletes were all wearing M+S base layer support underwear. Had a quick look on their website last night and they looked just the job. We have an M+S in town, so why do it online, I could do some real shopping! I haven't been real shopping for ages. So off into town I went today.
Looked at all the mens underwear, couldn't find any base layer anywhere. Went to the pay desk and a nice lady said she couldn't help but her coleague Sue could, she would get her. Sue arrived with what looked like a leather satchel. It was, in fact, an iPad in a case. She kindly found the undergarments on the M+S website, helped me set up an M+S user id and order my pants, she also let me pay. During this process I criticised M+S web design for the appauling way it worked with the iPad and offered to sell them some consultancy about how to do it properly, she said she didn't know who was in charge of that. My pants will be delivered to the store tomorrow.
This is in fact a whole new concept and could change retail completely. The town centre could be full of units where people with iPads help you to order things. Think of the increased profits, they would need less space, no shelves. There is one flaw though, I wanted to see them in the shop to see if they would rub.
Looked at all the mens underwear, couldn't find any base layer anywhere. Went to the pay desk and a nice lady said she couldn't help but her coleague Sue could, she would get her. Sue arrived with what looked like a leather satchel. It was, in fact, an iPad in a case. She kindly found the undergarments on the M+S website, helped me set up an M+S user id and order my pants, she also let me pay. During this process I criticised M+S web design for the appauling way it worked with the iPad and offered to sell them some consultancy about how to do it properly, she said she didn't know who was in charge of that. My pants will be delivered to the store tomorrow.
This is in fact a whole new concept and could change retail completely. The town centre could be full of units where people with iPads help you to order things. Think of the increased profits, they would need less space, no shelves. There is one flaw though, I wanted to see them in the shop to see if they would rub.
Tuesday, 16 April 2013
GP Today
Went to see my GP today for the results from my blood test last week. Everything is OK, my thyroid is working so she has prescribed some anti-hystermines to see if they cure the itching. I don't hold out much hope, but I will give it a try.
She also declared that the blood test shows me as borderline diabetic. My dad's diabetic, his dad was, my brother, my uncle is. Oh and we used to have a diabetic dog, but he died. GP wants me tested again, so fasting again Thursday ready for a test early Friday morning before I go to see the radiotherapist. I could do without that at the moment. GP says it may be the after effect of the steroids I was on during chemo.
Hohum.
She also declared that the blood test shows me as borderline diabetic. My dad's diabetic, his dad was, my brother, my uncle is. Oh and we used to have a diabetic dog, but he died. GP wants me tested again, so fasting again Thursday ready for a test early Friday morning before I go to see the radiotherapist. I could do without that at the moment. GP says it may be the after effect of the steroids I was on during chemo.
Hohum.
Monday, 15 April 2013
Saw the Surgeon today
I am beginning to think that nobody other Prof Hassan really cares. Saw the surgeon, Mr Mihai today for a 5 week post surgery follow up. Two weeks after the op I contacted the ward I was in because they had said to contact them if I wasn't happy or had any questions, so I did, I was swollen, the swelling was hard. They said 2 weeks was early and I was probably OK, if it got any worse to contact my GP. Knowing how long it can take to get an appointment with my GP, I emailed her anyway. She said she agreed with the nurses on the ward and if it got any worse to go and see her or the emergency doctor service. It hasn't got any worse, and it hasn't got any better. Mr Mihai saw me today and his face said it all. I have a haematoma (collection of blood not in blood vessels) which is, evidently, occasionally an issue after the sort of op I have had. Those of a squeamish nature who don't want to know the detail should stop reading now and follow this link.
Those of you still reading, remember it was your decision. As part of the operation they removed my left testicle. Since the operation my scrotum and penis have been very swollen and the skin has been hard to the touch. Today Mr Mihai asked me what has to be one of the best questions I have ever been asked, "Do you mind if I stick a needle in your scrotum?". Now I am sure if I google 'needle scrotum' it will take me to some terrifying websites, so I am not going to. He stuck the needle in, attached a syringe and withdrew some fluid which is now off to the path labs for analysis. He suggested I should get some athletic support underwear which will reduce the effects of gravity. Ebay has revealed some interesting ideas, but the leather one with studs was very expensive. he doesn't think I have an infection.
Those of you still reading, remember it was your decision. As part of the operation they removed my left testicle. Since the operation my scrotum and penis have been very swollen and the skin has been hard to the touch. Today Mr Mihai asked me what has to be one of the best questions I have ever been asked, "Do you mind if I stick a needle in your scrotum?". Now I am sure if I google 'needle scrotum' it will take me to some terrifying websites, so I am not going to. He stuck the needle in, attached a syringe and withdrew some fluid which is now off to the path labs for analysis. He suggested I should get some athletic support underwear which will reduce the effects of gravity. Ebay has revealed some interesting ideas, but the leather one with studs was very expensive. he doesn't think I have an infection.
Sunday, 14 April 2013
Surgeon Tomorrow
A week of hospitals and doctors coming up. On Monday I have the follow up appointment with the surgeon. I am planning to have a good moan, I am still sore and swollen and I don't feel like it has got any better for about 4 weeks. OK it isn't keeping me in bed or on the sofa but it is uncomfortable all the time and painful sometimes.
Tuesday is my GP. She will have the results of my blood tests from last week. We are hoping to find out why my skin itches all the time. I still think it is the blood pressure drugs that were increased during chemo. She was adamant that it wasn't.
Then on Wednesday my mum has a cataract assessment. I am hoping my sister will be able to do that one so I don't get hospital overdose.
Friday is radiotherapy consultant day. Should get a start date and a duration for the radio therapy. That will make planning the rest of my life a bit easier.
Had a few days in Dorset this weekend, which highlighted how sore and swollen I am. Over did it on Wednesday and paid for it on Thursday and Friday. Caught up with old friend and regular blog reader Richard for lunch on Thursday. It was great to see him. The support from so many people like him has kept me positive and sane through the past year.
Thank you blog readers.
Tuesday is my GP. She will have the results of my blood tests from last week. We are hoping to find out why my skin itches all the time. I still think it is the blood pressure drugs that were increased during chemo. She was adamant that it wasn't.
Then on Wednesday my mum has a cataract assessment. I am hoping my sister will be able to do that one so I don't get hospital overdose.
Friday is radiotherapy consultant day. Should get a start date and a duration for the radio therapy. That will make planning the rest of my life a bit easier.
Had a few days in Dorset this weekend, which highlighted how sore and swollen I am. Over did it on Wednesday and paid for it on Thursday and Friday. Caught up with old friend and regular blog reader Richard for lunch on Thursday. It was great to see him. The support from so many people like him has kept me positive and sane through the past year.
Thank you blog readers.
Friday, 5 April 2013
It's been a good news day
Had a 12:40 appointment with Prof Hassan today. We arrived in plenty of time, but not enough time to get something to eat. When we got there they announced he was running 40 minutes late, should have gone and got something to eat, but didn't. We read a couple of magazines and someone sneaked out and updated his 40 minute wait to 90 minutes. 2 hours late, we saw him. It was worth the wait, he had all the pathology results. He is very glad the operation had been done and that Mr Meihi had been so thorough as there were some clusters of cancer cells in the tubes of my reproductive pipe work, all of which have now been removed. The pathology shows no evidence of the cancer spreading around the body, which is also good news. I should get an appointment to see the radio therapy consultant in the next week or so. Radio therapy will commence as soon as they are happy the operation has healed enough. Got a bar of chocolate on the way out from the shop, call it lunch. We were going to stop for lunch on the way home, but we rushed back to let Lucky out and do the shopping instead.
This is the first time since last June that I feel I can see the end of it and I am coming out of it OK. I have stayed positive all along but I have always had that nagging doubt. Since the operation the soreness, swelling and not being able to do things has really got to me and the doubt has been taking over. Today's news has got me back on the positive track.
It's has not been easy being on a downer as Lucky, the coolest dog in the world, has been staying with us for 2 weeks. When you are feeling down I highly recommend a dog dose from a cool dog. Even in freezing Cornish Easter temperatures with condensation running down the chalet walls, Lucky just tucked in his basket, pulled a blanket over and grinned. He chased rabbits in the dunes and frolicked with other dogs on the beach. In dog years he is way older than me. He's always happy, always pleased to see people and carries on whatever happens. He is today's blipfoto, but I thought I would put him here as well. Here he is shouting that he has been left at home on his own whilst we went to the hospital and now he needs to play.
This is the first time since last June that I feel I can see the end of it and I am coming out of it OK. I have stayed positive all along but I have always had that nagging doubt. Since the operation the soreness, swelling and not being able to do things has really got to me and the doubt has been taking over. Today's news has got me back on the positive track.
It's has not been easy being on a downer as Lucky, the coolest dog in the world, has been staying with us for 2 weeks. When you are feeling down I highly recommend a dog dose from a cool dog. Even in freezing Cornish Easter temperatures with condensation running down the chalet walls, Lucky just tucked in his basket, pulled a blanket over and grinned. He chased rabbits in the dunes and frolicked with other dogs on the beach. In dog years he is way older than me. He's always happy, always pleased to see people and carries on whatever happens. He is today's blipfoto, but I thought I would put him here as well. Here he is shouting that he has been left at home on his own whilst we went to the hospital and now he needs to play.
Wednesday, 3 April 2013
3 and a bit weeks on
It was 3 weeks since the operation last weekend. I suppose the fact that I was in Cornwall on the side of a hill watching the Land's End Trial says I am doing reasonably well. But I am still swollen and sore in places and it is getting me down. I want to be up and about. The weekend told me how much I still have to go to being recovered from the op. I know that once I am recovered I will probably have to start radiotherapy, I'd just like to feel fit for a few weeks in between.
Appointment with the oncologist this Friday, so hopefully a plan will evolve from that. Fed up with being sore and swollen. Fed up of doing things and paying for it the next day. Fed up of all sorts really.
Appointment with the oncologist this Friday, so hopefully a plan will evolve from that. Fed up with being sore and swollen. Fed up of doing things and paying for it the next day. Fed up of all sorts really.
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