On the evening of Tuesday, the 28th of May, I was sat in the Old Poets Corner in Ashover enjoying a pint of beer with Jamie.
I went to bed feeling fine but woke up at 1.30am hot and delirious. Within a couple of hours I was in A & E at Chesterfield Royal Hospital where I spent the next few hours. I experienced the joys of a catheter for the first time ... and also an oxygen mask. My fat right leg ~ the one with lymphoedema ~ was red from ankle to groin. I was very ill apparently. I was also unaware of what was going on for much of the time as I was delirious.
I then spent a day or so in EMU where they monitored my steady improvement before being moved to a ward for the less critically ill ... and here I recovered over the next four or five days.
It was from this ward that I went to see my oncologist yesterday in the same hospital ... with Jamie 'holding my hand'. Things are ok on one level but there is a lump in the left side of my groin which merits further investigation and a CT Scan is being arranged. It seems the cancer is making 'progress' steadily though some radiotherapy may be possible.
When we got back to the ward though there was some good news ~ I was being discharged ! We went and sat in the discharge lounge for a couple of hours and enjoyed the fun and games there ... as well as a picnic lunch.
Not quite such a perky report as normal (I'm feeling tired and a bit shell shocked) but I'm out of hospital and that is always a good thing.
My diagnosis ? Same as before ~ cellulitis and severe sepsis. If you'd have seen my leg, swollen and red ... I even thought of taking a photo ... but you'll have to make do with one of me just before we drove away.
Note the look of defiance.
That`s the way Charlie keep your chin up and never give in.
ReplyDeleteThanks Les, I'm doing my best.
DeleteJust keep on rocking!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure that I'm up to rocking at the moment Diane ... but hopefully in another day or two.
DeleteThat was a bit extreme hiding in hospital while I was looking out for a man with a fat leg walking around Derbyshire. Seriously though Charlie sorry to hear you have been ill,hope things improve for you soon,enjoy the good weather.Ann
ReplyDeleteThanks Ann. The sunny weather certainly cheers me up ...
DeleteGosh, you have been through the mill !! That said, you still look remarkably well!! Keep on keeping on, Charlie!!
ReplyDeleteI will Mitch ... for as long as I can and then hopefully some.
DeleteAh, you knew there was something going on in your groin (or "groinal area", as my hubby calls it). LOL Well, it's just as well they've listened and investigated - and will investigate further, from the sounds of it. Jeepers, that cellulitis comes on blinking quick, doesn't it? From "in the pub" to "in Casualty" within 12 hours sounds like! I'm not surprised you're feeling shellshocked - and you'd be perfectly entitled to. Still, keep up with the defiance - it's a good look for you. :)
ReplyDeleteThe time between feeling ok and decidedly ropey was in fact less than two hours. The first time it happened it was like someone had flicked a switch. Fortunately on both occasions I was at home at the time.
DeleteGlad to read you once again, Charlie. I was worried. I'm sorry that you had to go through such an ordeal ...
ReplyDeleteFortunately for much of the unpleasant stuff during the first 36 hours I was drifting in and out of sleep ... or was it consciousness ? I'm not sure. Thank you for your concern Pet.
DeleteWelcome back Charlie. Keith
ReplyDeleteThank you Keith. It's good to be back.
DeleteGood to know you're out of hospital. I miised your blog posts!
ReplyDeleteHopefully there will be more ... once I feel a little bit more with it.
DeleteGlad you're up and about again, Charlie. Sorry you had such a tough time of it. Anyway, as usual, you look OK now. BTW isn't it the middle finger one uses for looks of defiance?
ReplyDeleteThanks Neil ... the middle finger is the one with the torn tendon [though it is nearly repaired thank goodness].
Delete