Yesterday, Day 920, me and my Stage 4 cancer as well as my son travelled to Chesterfield Royal for another 28 day check-up ... though perhaps I should call it a follow-up appointment. Anyway, you get the idea.
I got weighed and my blood pressure was taken. The Atenolol I have been given for the last 28 days has done the trick ~ my blood pressure is down ! I've been having a weekly check on my blood pressure though I haven't told you. Even I know there's a limit. [I'm thinking of you. I don't want to labour a point].
I've not even told you about my mallet finger ... what's that ? You'd like to know ? OK ... well, I went to the Pulvertaft Hand Clinic within the Royal Derby Hospital where, after eight weeks, the doctor asked me to take off the plaster around the splint ... "Don't you want to do it ?" I asked ... "No, I might hurt you if I did it ..." he replied. So, gingerly, I unwrapped my middle finger and, lo and behold, it stayed straight ! I think the next thing he said was "Don't bend it !" I didn't bend it but you know what it's like sometimes when you know you mustn't do something ... you do it ... but not this time ... so far. The next stop was the therapist who told me that for another four weeks at least I have to keep my splint on though now it will largely be held on with velcro with a bit of plaster. I have to perform two exercises ten times at one go to build up the strength in the tendon. These exercises have to be carried out eight times a day. One involves squeezing a tin of mushy peas very gently. [Note : it doesn't have to be mushy peas. Any can or aerosol will do but I mustn't grip and lift. I go back in ten days for a check up as regards the finger].
Meanwhile back in Chesterfield yesterday, I saw the doctor who seemed happy enough with how things were going. I did mention that I had some discomfort in my groin especially when I walk. It wasn't pain ... just discomfort. I can feel something in there. It could well be that the pelvic bone has been affected by the cancer or the drugs or the chemotherapy ... or all three for all I know. Anyway, radiotherapy may be an option further on down the line. In the meantime I can resort to painkillers though [as mentioned] I have no pain at present.
He did say though that he would like me to double up on the Sando-K, a potassium supplement. However, just in case it increases my potassium levels too much [which can be as dangerous as having low potassium levels] I've got to have some more blood tests ...
As long as they keep me pegged together though I'm happy enough.
A photograph was taken in the car park ...
Keep smiling folks.
Good to hear things are going well Charlie,hope the discomfort you are getting isn't anything serious.Hubby had a mallet finger a few years ago on his little finger,the doctor thought it would never get better,and suggested he had it amputated.He decided that was a bit drastic and over time it has got right.Ann
ReplyDeleteThe doctor didn't seem too concerned about my discomfort ~ I suppose time will tell how serious it is. My mallet finger is on the mend but it's a long job. Thank you for your good wishes Ann.
DeleteI'm glad to read the up-date, Charlie. There's a lot on your plate. I hope that it continues to go as well as it possibly can for a very long time.
ReplyDeleteThank you Pet ... I tend not to think too far ahead. In the meantime I live my life as I always have though I appreciate it all the more. Yesterday I was walking through the supermarket car park and really enjoyed the smell of light rain on the dry soil.
DeleteHi Charlie, glad to hear that things are going well, generally speaking. You're still looking the picture of healthy!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Mitch ... and still feeling reasonably healthy whilst accepting that I am unlikely to walk up to the top of many hills from here on in. [It gives me a good excuse to take it steady !]
DeleteI'd echo Mitch's comments. In fact, I wish I looked as healthy as you always do in your car park gallery.
ReplyDeleteMallet finger. What a great name!is it a related injury to claw hammer toe and pick-axe thumb?
Thank you Ian ... yes, mallet finger is rather a good name. Not being a medical specialist I can't advise on the toe and thumb injuries ;-)
DeleteAs you say, Charlie, so long as they keep you pegged together. :) So - these weekly blood tests. Are you a good bleeder? ~she asks, with tongue firmly in cheek~ LOL
ReplyDeleteThe nurses have said I'm a little bleeder a few times :-) I am always impressed how red my blood is. I'm sure other people's is as well. I was going to say it is just like red wine then realised it is probably *part* red wine anyway :-)
DeleteGlad to hear things continue to go well, Charlie. I confess I never watch when anyone takes my blood; there always seems to be something really interesting happening outside . . . So my blood might be blue for all I know. Do you still have places they can stick a needle in? I'm glad you can still get on with things without all the medicine taking and hospital visits completely ruling your day to day timetable. Keeping smiling indeed!
ReplyDeleteThey always take my blood from the same place ~ the rather juicy vein in my left arm. Yes, I keep busy whilst realising that I am never going to achieve everything I want to do. Still, it was always likely to be thus.
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