Update on oggbashan's health

[oggbashan]

My machete was an essential part of my Scout uniform when in Australia.

As the holder of a Bushman's Thong, I was expected either to wear a machete or to carry a logging axe. The machete was more convenient.

But when I returned to England, it caused raised eyebrows. I had a large sheath knife on my right hip - essential for a 1st class scout and the machete on my left.

It had a 24-inch blade, was made by Wilkinson Sword and kept a very sharp edge - so sharp that I could shave with it as a party trick.

I went to a St George's Day parade in Trafalgar Square and it caused some concern on the underground, but not as much as when I went as a car park attendant for three Royal Garden parties at Buckingham Palace.

One of the Palace staff queried whether it was appropriate. A more senior person overruled him saying 'This is a Queen's Scout. He has demonstrated responsibility. He won't draw it or wave it around.'


I didn't, except afterwards on request to show one of the senior equerries. He was impressed by its sharpness.


It wasn't appropriate when I resumed my UK scout uniform but the sheath knife still was.

 

[oggbashan]

Today I went for my last pre-chemo check before my sixth and last chemo treatment of this set.

Unlike last time when my blood pressure was low, it was high - 152/77,

It could be because it was hot (32 C) and I had to wait far longer than normal because of an emergency in the waiting room. A woman, not a patient, but pushing a patient in a wheelchair, suddenly collapsed, hitting her head on a wall. The room was filled with doctors and nurses. Eventually, she was able to climb onto a trolley, clutching a sick bucket. She had low blood sugars and should have sat down. She had been offered a seat but declined it - silly woman.

 

[MillieDynamite]

Today I went for my last pre-chemo check before my sixth and last chemo treatment of this set.

Unlike last time when my blood pressure was low, it was high - 152/77,

It could be because it was hot (32 C) and I had to wait far longer than normal because of an emergency in the waiting room. A woman, not a patient, but pushing a patient in a wheelchair, suddenly collapsed, hitting her head on a wall. The room was filled with doctors and nurses. Eventually, she was able to climb onto a trolley, clutching a sick bucket. She had low blood sugars and should have sat down. She had been offered a seat but declined it - silly woman.

I hate when those things happen. I hate for the person who has the problem. I hate the delay in my plans and feel guilty about being concerned with myself when someone is in far worse shape than me.

 

[oggbashan]

This afternoon will be my sixth (and last) chemo session of this set. I am pleased that the temperature has dropped. The treatment room is not well ventilated and the fans do little except move the hot air around.

 

[sirhugs]

This afternoon will be my sixth (and last) chemo session of this set. I am pleased that the temperature has dropped. The treatment room is not well ventilated and the fans do little except move the hot air around.

hope it goes well.

 

[oggbashan]

hope it goes well.

It usually does. I have no side effects whatever except some hair loss but even so I still have my beard and some hair on top.

 

[sirhugs]

It usually does. I have no side effects whatever except some hair loss but even so I still have my beard and some hair on top.

I did not have side effects either, unless you count wiping out my immune system so well that secondary infections almost killed me instead of cancer. They had to cancel chemo after 3 sessions and proceed to surgery before they killed me.

 

[MillieDynamite]

My hopes and prayers go with you today.

 

[MetalRabbit51]

Hoping for the best for you in your treatment today, Ogg. And in your struggle with this malady in general. Thanks for keeping us posted.

Also for you, Sirhugs. Best in your health challenges. I didn't know you also had cancer. So many have or do. I get tested next week, an MRI, to see if I have prostate cancer or not. PSA levels are quite high.

 

[oggbashan]

Back from Chemo. No issues. Didn't feel anything except when they put the cannula in.

Now for an Indian meal washed down with lager.

 

[Handley_Page]

Rarely I have resorted to drastic measures such as cutting off the top with a machete. Very satisfying!

I only have to ask the pharmacist to give me non-childproof tops. They add that info to my account and that takes care of that.

All my meds come in 'press-fit' doings.
You know, where you press the top and the pill is supposed to emerge from the other side.
But It's warm and late; I need a mug of Tea

 

[sirhugs]

All my meds come in 'press-fit' doings.
You know, where you press the top and the pill is supposed to emerge from the other side.
But It's warm and late; I need a mug of Tea

With emphasis on the "supposed to".

 

[oggbashan]

With emphasis on the "supposed to".

which is why I find my machete so useful...

 

[oggbashan]

This morning was a dermatology check on the skin cancer excised from an ear. Perfectly OK. Come back in six months' time unless anything occurs before then.

 

[Duleigh]

This morning was a dermatology check on the skin cancer excised from an ear. Perfectly OK. Come back in six months' time unless anything occurs before then.

Do you ever have one of those days when you look at the array of bottles and gizmos that a well meaning youngster prescribed and try to wish them all away? Sometimes the morning routine of drops, pills, and inhalers seems like too much of an effort, even after coffee that will float a horseshoe.

 

[oggbashan]

Do you ever have one of those days when you look at the array of bottles and gizmos that a well meaning youngster prescribed and try to wish them all away? Sometimes the morning routine of drops, pills, and inhalers seems like too much of an effort, even after coffee that will float a horseshoe.

Yes. I am on 30 various tablets a day, the same number my father was on when he went into a residential home. Over the next six months, the visiting GP and staff got him down to nil by adjusting his diet.

I also do three insulin injections a day....

 

[Duleigh]

Yes. I am on 30 various tablets a day, the same number my father was on when he went into a residential home. Over the next six months, the visiting GP and staff got him down to nil by adjusting his diet.

I also do three insulin injections a day....

I don't dare count the number of pills, but one pill I take 3 times daily costs $330 a pill (327 euros) Luckily the manufacturer (Bayer) eats most of the cost. That pill, Adempas, only works on 2 things, and I have one of them

 

[oggbashan]

Hospital appointments.

Usually, I get letters through the post to tell me about future hospital appointments, but not always. In July I received a letter two days after I had attended the appointment.

Also, sometimes, I get an automated message reminding me that I have an appointment. It is on record that I have hearing problems. Does the automated message take that into account? No.

I could go to any one of three hospitals. But in the Automated message, the hospital names are abbreviated.

What the heck does "Whirr Huh Huh" mean? OR "Queue Eee Queue Mmm"? I complained to the hospital administrators. No answer. I complained to the secretary of the Board of Trustees running all three hospitals. No answer.

So next week I have to go to "Kay And Sea".

 

[Duleigh]

Ugh - I hate voice messages because of that, and they call when I am not ready to write down the information, so I end up contacting them, usually I do it on-line because thanks to "off shore phone banks" I do not like to talk on the phone any more.

 

[oggbashan]

I have difficulty with telephones unless it is a friend or relation I know well.

But anything complicated like a security check on PayPal - enter the six-digit number on your keypad? Maybe 20% of the time I might get it right.

 

[oggbashan]

Today I went for a CT scan after my final chemo session. I won't know the results until early October.

But I had a third reminder call that I have an appointment with a specialist on Thursday. I knew. I have on file the appointment letter, the reminder letter, and now three phone calls. The first two said I should attend 'Kay and Sea', the third 'Kergh and Cergh'.

Why so many reminders?

Because between a quarter and one-third of patients do NOT attend hospital appointments. That is appalling but their records should show I have never missed any - ever!

 

[Duleigh]

Because between a quarter and one-third of patients do NOT attend hospital appointments. That is appalling but their records should show I have never missed any - ever!

I'm right up there with you, I show up with an excel spreadsheet listing all of my medications, prescription numbers, and responsible doctors in case the doctor I'm seeing has a question. I carry a clipboard with any documentation the hospital sent, some of it highlighted with notes to ask the doctor. I can't believe there's people that do NOT do that, but then there's about 7.8 billion people on Earth who do not have what I have.

 

[jehoram]

I'm right up there with you, I show up with an excel spreadsheet listing all of my medications, prescription numbers, and responsible doctors in case the doctor I'm seeing has a question.

I don't have a spreadsheet, but the calendar in my tablet has a record of all my recent appointments and vaccinations, so I can provide that information to medical personnel. And I haven't missed an appointment except once, when my car broke down far from home and had to cancel it via phone.

And my tablet has a list of my meds and appointments, and my wife's as well.

 

[oggbashan]

Today was the foot clinic for toenail cutting with bolt cutters.

This time a trainee was present. The main practitioner did one foot and showed the trainee who did the other.

I was used because my feet are so large the trainee could see everything clearly.

Tomorrow? The neurology consultant.

 

[Handley_Page]

I'm right up there with you, I show up with an excel spreadsheet listing all of my medications, prescription numbers, and responsible doctors in case the doctor I'm seeing has a question. I carry a clipboard with any documentation the hospital sent, some of it highlighted with notes to ask the doctor. I can't believe there's people that do NOT do that, but then there's about 7.8 billion people on Earth who do not have what I have.

1. Sadly, there are too many folk who do NOT want to have any 'involvement' with their condition and thus put the whole matter at the back of their minds. Some are sufficiently ignorant (as in Un-knowing) and would have difficulty in grasping the subject (naturally, a broken leg or similar is a simpler matter !).

2. I kept my 'records' in a binder. I did not actually need it very often (radio therapy is a simple process, if damned painful in the throat). But I do have details of all my meds.

3. Good Luck Ogg.

Any chance of some Tea please ?