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Thursday 28 December 2017

Plan A, Part 3

Had a phone call this morning from the hospital.

They have had a cancellation and can do me on January 8th.

Hope that doesn't mean some poor soul has died and made a space for me, but then that is the way of the world.

I have to go to a Pre-Op Clinic first thing tomorrow and tell them all the things that are already in the system. I hope I can remember them all again.

Wednesday 27 December 2017

Plan A, Part 1 and Part 2

Plan A, Part 1 starts with this.


I have to drink about 4 litres of this stuff every day.

Why?

The tumour in my left kidney is eating into my kidney blood supply and this releases blood into my bladder. If the blood stays too long in one place it will coagulate and create clots. These clots block my urine output from the bladder causing no end of eye watering pain as well as infection. The tumour is also spreading into muscle tissue behind the kidney. The other kidney appears to be OK.



Another response to a blocked bladder is a catheter, they are just as painful and also make your bladder lazy. I've been there twice and I don't want to go there again.

The downside of Part 1 is regular visits to the toilet roughly 30 minutes apart. My best record is 40 minutes but that brought some pain back into the argument whereas with infection present it is about 3 minutes.

This makes travelling to a wargames event a bit difficult, Vapnartak in York in February is a 'no-no', my wargames hut is a 'maybe-yes'.

That is a 'bummer'.

Plan A, Part 2 goes like this.

I turn up at the Western General Hospital one day in the New Year. January is fully booked but since my cancer seems to be aggressive they will try to fit me in.

I get a nice comfy bed and a jag in my arm and oh so sleepy.

When I wake up I will have a few abdominal cuts, and maybe one bigger one, and another bloody catheter. Oh Joy. Probably 3 or 4 days in bed before being allowed home, more litres of water and quite a few tablets.

Maybe a couple of weeks after that I could maybe get out to the wargames hut and peruse what hasn't been happening. It might be another month after that before I'm allowed to drive.

What happens after that?

Dunno. Ask me later.

Tuesday 26 December 2017

Boxing Day Breakthrough

Yesterday (Christmas Day) was just bearable but more painful towards the evening.

However, since then, particularly since lunchtime I have been passing blood clots followed by more pain.

The last one was a massive clot but has been followed by a painfree period and a couple of reasonably normal pees.

I might get my paintbrush out this evening.


I'm just about to go out and visit my 17 month old grandson before he goes to bed.

Whoop-ee-do.

Monday 25 December 2017

Record Breaking

I'm not particularly fussy about records and that.

I was, however, proud that when I retired from work I was the longest serving member of the service, 41+ years.

And, when I stopped attending my local wargames club I was the longest continuous member, 40+ years so a bit proud again.

Todays record is nothing to be proud of.

I have been to hospital twice today, Christmas Day.

First time was just after midnight and the second around lunchtime. Both were painful, wet and bloody affairs. Two days until my consultant meeting now.

Sunday 24 December 2017

Almost Missed Christmas

I am literally just home from another stay in hospital(s) and only just managed to meet their discharge requirements at 7pm this evening.

Fortunately I had my Christmas obligations met before I went in last Sunday.


So another 8 day trip around Edinburgh hospitals, lots of blood, lots of pain, little urine, lots of tubes, numerous bags of fluid, more tablets, less tablets and did I mention even more pain.

However I am now only 2 days away from seeing the Consultant and hopefully get details of an action plan that includes more than just treating the symptoms.

Most annoying bit is I have not touched any of my toys this past week.

Now, can someone remind me when this Christmas lark actually starts.



 

Sunday 17 December 2017

Passing the time.

Not a great day today, too much blood being passed for comfort.

Still it's only 10 days to go before my appointment with a consultant.

Meanwhile someone else is having fun.


http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/more-26000-playmobil-figures-set-7602698

More at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrtd3iFsH1E


Friday 8 December 2017

December Update

Well, that's the Carolingians and the Swedes finally off to their new homes in the Kingdom of Fife as well some more Gallic Celts to a chum across Edinburgh.

I have a continuing commission to produce some more Gallic Celts so am moving to finish off some skirmish bow and maybe another warband then maybe a commander or two like Vercingetorix or Eataweetabix.



Another first for me will be some BEF for a chum, some carriers, some 2 pounders and a few useless tanks.



Meanwhile my medical team tell me I have a massive tumour on my left kidney. Hope they don't interrupt my painting schedule too much. Last time I spoke to them they seemed awfully young.


Once they are done I hope to get my massive collection of Warhammer Epic Space Marines ready for sale. I hope to get to Vapnartak in February weather and surgeons permitting.