Friday 5 July 2013

Ticking away ... Day 979 ~ me and my three legged dog ...

Since I came out of hospital four weeks ago I haven't really made up lost ground ~ over the past four weeks my 'groin strain' has become more and more uncomfortable. It got to the stage where, even with two walking poles, I was only able to walk a couple of miles on a flat trail on Monday evening and it took me two hours. We were taking photos as we went but even so ...

So, after my CT scan a week ago today I was prepared for nearly anything when I went for my four weekly follow-up appointment with my oncologist.

We got there for the 9.30 appointment and after the usual weigh-in and blood pressure check Jamie and I were talking to the doctor who seemed very relaxed ... and then she said "when is your CT scan ? " ... that's right, the results hadn't filtered through to her yet.

The doctor felt that, in view of the discomfort I was experiencing in my groin, it might be worth me having an x-ray. This obviously wasn’t going to be one of those hospital visits where we were sitting down to a bacon bap within an hour of my appointment.
[I will now try and edit out some of the details you don’t need to know … I'm trying to save you time ...].

We walked through the hospital to the x-ray department. Who should walk in whilst we were sitting there but one of my former work colleagues … “What are you doing here” ... 
 
My name was called and I went into the x-ray room after putting on one of those gowns. I lay there while six or seven x-rays were taken of my pelvis and left hip. This involved some discomfort on my part as the radiologist had to x-ray my left hip by lining up the machine whilst my right leg was supported on a metal frame. She was shooting under my right leg.

 I was given a pink slip of paper with a bar code to walk back to my doctor so that she could see the x-rays immediately.
Initially though we saw the pharmacist to talk about my medication. After she’d gone we [Jamie and I] realised that we were sitting in a side room with comfortable chairs. You know what that can mean. As I sat there, across the corridor, I caught a glimpse of a couple of friends I knew from my days with the ramblers …

After twenty five minutes the doctor came in and she was able to say that whilst they were looking at the x-rays they were also able to see the results of the CT scan. This showed up that in addition to a swollen lymph gland on the left side of my groin [that’s a lump I have there at present] I also have a ‘met’ in my left hip socket and a smaller one in my right hip.

By ‘met’ I assumed she meant metastasis and she did indeed confirm that that is what she meant. 'Met' sounds much less threatening though doesn't it.

The good news [yes, there is some good news] is that radiotherapy should soon knock the swollen lymph gland and both metastases into touch ! Hurrah ! I just need one session and they would tell me within the next 7 to 10 days when that will be.

On that note Jamie and I headed off for our bacon bap. We were now attending to the serious business ~ the bap !

However, who should we bump into in the CafĂ©@theRoyal but those two walkers … one of them having the same complaint as me. I said hello … they didn’t recognise me [it happens a lot] ... but once I’d introduced myself we sat and had a chat and he picked my brain as he has only recently been diagnosed. I think he took comfort from the fact that I am still  around nearly three years after being diagnosed, particularly as I have Stage 4 prostate cancer and he has Stage 2 …

Jamie’s telephone rang. It was my doctor wanting to have a further word.

We headed back to her department. She was apologetic. I will need five ‘doses’ of radiotherapy not one … I wasn't angry. I wasn't upset. These things happen. Mistakes are made. Life is too short ...

Eventually we got away after all the toing and froing and I spent the afternoon feeling tired [mentally as much as physically I think].

Yesterday my enthusiasm seemed to evaporate fairly early in the day too.

Today though I feel enthused enough to post this even though my groin is feeling decidedly uncomfortable. I might even resort to some painkillers … at some stage.

So, I’ve had a setback but I expected it … possibly worse … now I aim to get the radiotherapy behind me and hopefully get out for some walks …

In the meantime here’s a photograph taken once we’d got back to the car park …

Me after my latest visit to Chesterfield Royal Hospital !

I don't shave as often as I used to do.

28 comments:

  1. Flipping heck, what a rollercoaster ride that appointment was - and minus the fun, too. I remember some time ago, intimating that you were a little on the famous side. Maybe what I should have said was that you never forget a face. LOL I bet you're the kind of person who can go for a month's holiday to Bali and find at least three people that you know while you are there. :D We've talked about the "met" (with a capital letter that could mean something entirely different) on Facebook, but it never hurts to repeat how much I'm in awe of your "lets get on with it" attitude. Good on yer, Charlie - it's the only way to be. :D

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    1. Thank you for your kind words of support here and elsewhere Jenny. As you say, it's just a case of getting on with it ~ what other options are there and, if in amongst the discomfort and mild pain, I can snatch half an hour here and there with a pint outside the Devonshire Arms at Beeley or with a good book or just listening to my family chattering away then it's worth holding on.

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  2. Honest to Pete... One thing after another... but so glad to hear you are OK..Just Get er Done.. as they say in the South here.. LOL.. I of course never liked that phrase.. but shoot.. why not use it every once in awhile..LOL...

    Well, Charlie.. Your The Best.....

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    1. Thank you Barbara for your support too. It wasn't as bad as it sounds ~ Jamie and I may have a strange sense of humour but we thought it was all quite amusing and, of course, we're learning all sorts of things as we go along.

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  3. Oh, Charlie! Not at all the news You were hoping to receive... And I can't lie~ my heart is aching after reading this but you have this amazing attitude and glow about you always, these "'mets" don't stand a chance against you and radiotherapy. They simply don't:) I wish you weren't in the pain you are, that is most unfair... I'm sending my best possible thoughts to you and yours as I always do!!! And you know~ I really like that you aren't shaving as much~ men look good with a bit of roughness on their face;)

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    1. Thank you Leora for your support too. The discomfort is probably a little worse today ... but I'm looking a little tidier as I've shaved the whiskers off except for the actual beard and that it just a little neater.

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  4. There's still hope and hopefulness, Charlie. It's encouraging to see you holding on to it. I'm also sure that you were a great help to your friend ...

    I wish that I had something bright and witty to say ...

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    1. Thank you Pet for your support too. I know what the outcome of all this will be but I don't let it overwhelm me ~ the only hope I have is that I can keep going for as long as possible and that the quality of my life is good for most of that time, if not all of it.

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  5. Charlie...I have been remiss in keeping up with you and your travels and stuggle. Hang in there my friend. My wife Pat was diagnosed with Lymphoma and is undergoing Chemo. Never give my my friend.

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    1. Thank you Chuck for your support ... I was aware that I hadn't visited your page as much as I should have done. I wish you and your wife the very best ~ I hope things are going well.

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  6. Hi Charlie. What a rollercoaster of a day. Lets hope the radiotherapy zaps things into touch and you can enjoy your walking again. Lots of positive thoughts coming your way. Best wishes, June@weegiewalker

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    1. Thank you June for your support both here and on Twitter. I'm ready to be irradiated ! I never thought I would say that but I am. If they can get rid of some of the discomfort for a while that would be great.

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  7. Certainly not the best news you could get, but your positiveness has not wavered and the radiotherapy should certainly help zap the lymph gland and the 'mets'. Just keep on keeping, my friend!! Most importantly though....did you ever get your bacon bap????

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    1. Thank you Mitch for your support ... whilst others have fallen by the wayside you are one of a good number of online friends who keep coming back for more. It is greatly appreciated. As for the question at the end ... did you doubt we wouldn't get that bacon bap ? :-)

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  8. Good luck with it all, Charlie.

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    1. Thank you aliqot for your support. As you will have gathered I'm not quite the superfit walker that I used to be. Still, even a one mile stroll is invigorating and enjoyable and, who knows, I'm still hoping to do a bit more yet.

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  9. I'm wishing you the very best with the treatments and I hope you'll be back on the trails soon. Hugs

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    1. Thank you Diane for your support ~ it is much appreciated. Yes, I hope I'll get back walking again before long. Since I wrote this blog I've been out a couple of times for an hour or so each time but I don't think I'd like to try and do any more just yet.

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  10. Every body has said it all Charlie,there isn't much I can add to their comments.Just wishing you all the best with the treatment,and hopefully you will enjoy many more walks,and bacon baps!! Ann

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    1. Thank you Ann for your support. I'm looking forward to more walks and more bacon baps ... I might even combine the two if I can !

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  11. Sounds like you went through it a bit yesterday. Still sound very positive though, so keep taking the baps & keep your (unshaven!) chin up. All the best @FatFellwalker

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    1. Thank you George for your support on Twitter and here. The bacon baps help but knowing that people care too is even better. Thank you.

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  12. Sounds like a tough visit Charlie. Keep taking the bacon baps... cos based on your photo, you're doing alright on them!

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    1. Thank you Ian for your support ... people keep saying I'm looking well. Which I am, as well as I can with a face like mine.

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  13. Hello again, after a long absence while we were back in the bushes. You were the first one I wanted to catch up with on Blogger. I think the picture is sexy. I kind of like the grizzled look. But then again I don't have to snuggle with you or kiss you. Wish I could though, just for the tickles. You haven't changed a bit with your very courageous attitude. I was startled to be reminded that you have been fighting this for 3 years now. I kind of puts my complaints back into perspective. I was complaining about having to scrounge firewood tonight. However you have also made me decide I want a bacon and tomato toasted sandwich with mayo and onion. Now I am going to spend some time going over blogs you wrote earlier this year since I have been out on the ranch.

    We are at a lovely mountain lake and free campground supported by British Columbia Hydro. Unfortunately a wee six-year-old boy drowned here in the lake yesterday. The campers are very subdued today. I can't imagine the pain the parents are feeling. It all happened so fast on what was supposed to be a lovely picnic on a very hot day.

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    1. Thank you for your support Karyn ~ it's good to hear from you. You've just timed it right ... my goatee is in fact rather soft [perhaps it's all the hormones they're pumping into me]. Yes, it's the best part of three years or, to look at it another way, it's nearly one 21st of my life ! Still, it's only the last few weeks that it has started to become uncomfortable. I soldier on ...

      I hope you enjoyed that bacon and mayo toasted sandwich ~ I'm more of a cheese and onion toastie man myself with Worcester Sauce to give a little added flavour.

      Sorry to hear about the young boy drowning. That is very sad and as you say it can all happen so quickly.

      Until the next time ...

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  14. Sorry I took so long to respond to you all. I've not been on my PC so much this last few days but I've managed it at last.

    Just to reiterate, thank you for your support and encouragement.

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  15. I heard from the hospital yesterday ~ I'm going for a radiotherapy planning appointment on Monday. There's no mention of having five lots of treatment ... perhaps they've got to discuss it with me first.

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