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The second coming.
Where do I start? At the beginning is the normal answer so that is what I will do. Although, for context, I will go back to the 9th July 2026. Below is an extract from a (short!) WhatsApp message I posted on that day in my family forum. Now then. It’s been very quiet in…
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Kidney stones, the follow up
So then, whist kidney stones are very painful there was a positive that came out of my affliction. Following the CT scan the radiographer noted what looked like nodules on my left lung. With my previous cancer history they were concerned enough to ask that I have a follow up scan to check my lungs.…
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You can’t tickle a PET scan under the chin
Following the CT scans for my kidney stones I was referred back to King’s. They were now dealing with my cancer aftercare having been discharged by Guy’s following the end of my 6 month chemotherapy course and the scan that had not shown any sign of my cancer having spread. To be certain that the…
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To sedate or not to sedate? That is the question.
For the third time I now booked my PET scan. Having booked it electronically I then received a phone call shortly thereafter. Yes, people do still use a phone to speak to you apparently. How old fashioned. ‘Thank you for your booking’ the voice at the other end of the phone said ‘but before we…
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Do French oncologists exist if not observed?
Following my success at traversing the NHS’s impenetrable ‘how to get a prescription’ helpline things started, once again, to move at pace. My PET scan was booked in at King’s and I arrived at the designated date and time for my appointment. Once issued with my single tablet, for sedation purposes, I was moved swiftly…
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PICC today, Guy’s tomorrow
In order to start my chemo I had to have another peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) installed. A wonderful device that stays in you for your chemo course (around 7 months) and means your body does not end up looking like a pin cushion with a drugs problem. I arrived for my 2pm appointment with…
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A room with a view
The following day dawned although having to leave my house at 6.30am meant that dawn arrived in the car, just after Gravesend. The journey to London was as grim as predicted but our hero and his batwoman (note – executive decision taken following the uncertainty expressed in the kidney stone blog about whether batwoman is…
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Unintended consequences.
When people think about chemotherapy, most people’s first thought (other than how long have you got left to live) are about the side effects and, in nearly all cases, hair loss. The side effects can be challenging and there are lots of them. I was lucky during my first round of chemo. Whilst I did…
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Of auld acquaintances
Now that I have outlined some of the more prosaic issues relating to chemotherapy I will move on and discuss meeting old friends. As covered in my last post I have now had to reacquaint myself with my local district nurse service. On ringing them up to ask about getting back onto their books the…
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When the fat boy doesn’t sing
Whilst, in general, I have been very positive about my treatment at the hands of the NHS, I have, at times, had to bring to the readers attention a number of minor problems that I have encountered. A lot, if not all, of the decisions that the NHS take regarding what medication, medical procedures and…
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Checking my patience, an appointment’s tale
So what has happened since my last adventure into the dark and nefarious world of weight loss. Well, I’ll tell you. But before I do I must just share something with you from my first round of chemo. During my first round of chemo they wouldn’t proceed, on two consecutive attempts, due to low neutrophil…
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A room with no view.
So chemo day two arrived with my temporary sojourn to Guy’s a distant memory. Back to Queen Mary Sidcup. As I had my entire first round at QMS it almost felt like home from home. They had even left the chair I used nearly every time during my first round vacant and ready to use.…