This morning, I had a conversation with the surgeon who is overseeing my case, and the news is as follows. Of the three polys they removed, one was just a minor lesion scar, one was benign, and the third contained cancerous cells.
As a precaution, they want me to undergo surgery before Christmas to remove the piece of bowel from which they removed the cancer-containing polyp as well as the nearby lymph glands. The operation will be under a general anaesthetic, and will last about four hours. I will then have to spend a week in hospital before I can be discharged. It will then be some time before I am back to what passes for normal, and I will have to take things easy for some time thereafter.
Assuming that everything goes well, I will then go onto a five-year monitoring programme that will involve further colonoscopies and blood tests.
As my regular blog readers can imagine, during my time in hospital (and possible for some time afterwards) I doubt if I will be either able to - or be inclined to - blog, but once I’m back to anything approaching normal, I’ll be back blathering on as usual!
I do have one thing that I want to do before I go in for my operation. I would love to be able to get THE PORTABLE PIKE & SHOT WARGAME book published ... but that will depend upon whether or not Lulu,com can get their act together.
"If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well it were done quickly" I wish that it goes smoothly will be done when its done!
ReplyDeleteRoss Mac,
DeleteThose are exactly my sentiments!
I remember my father telling me that he was always sick in the hours before going into action ... but once the fighting started, he was as right as rain. ‘Action this day’ is always better than ‘Let’s leave it for a day or so’!
All the best,
Bob
Godspeed, Bob. You might be surprised how quickly you may yearn a return to blogging. Hospitals are very boring places to convalesce.
ReplyDeleteJonathan Freitag,
DeleteI am sure that your right on both counts ... especially as - due to COVID-19 - I won't be allowed any visitors during my stay in hospital.
All the best,
Bob
Bob, the sooner it's done the less time you have to sit and worry about facing the operation. I wish you well with the surgery and recovery. Tough that you have to go through this during the Covid crisis with it's restrictions on visitors etc and so close to Christmas. I'm sure you will be in very good hands :)
ReplyDelete‘Lee,
DeleteCheers! If they’d said that I had to go in tomorrow, I would have been packing now! I hate having to wait, but at least it shouldn’t be for too long. I think that a week in hospital without visitors will be difficult, but now that we have things like FaceTime and Zoom, we can at least talk to and see each other.
All the best,
Bob
Hello Bob
ReplyDeleteYour blog is a familiar part of my daily routine, especially this year, although I rarely post. I just wanted to wish you well and share my admiration for your stoicism.
Paul Bryant
Paulee B (Paul Bryant),
DeleteIt’s great to read a comment for someone who regularly reads my blog but who hasn’t commented very often. Thanks very much for your best wishes; they are greatly appreciated.
All the best,
Bob
Hope they get you in sooner rather than later. I would hate waiting. All the best. Chris.
ReplyDeleteNundanket (Chris),
DeleteCheers! Now that I know what the next step will be, I want to get it over and done with ASAP.
All the best,
Bob
Hope it goes well for you and that Christmas proves to be a far happier time.
ReplyDeleteRob Young,
DeleteThanks very much for your kind best wishes ... and I hope that we both have a great Christmas.
All the best,
Bob
Hope it goes smoothly for you Bob- I'm sure you'll bounce back quickly.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Pete.
Pete.,
DeleteMany thanks for your kind and supporting comments. They are greatly appreciated.
All the best,
Bob
We never know what life is going to throw at us but to have goals helps us towards the future and to see that 'whatever' left behind.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes and all that sort of thing.
Barry Carter,
DeleteI’ve learned to expect the unexpected, and that having things to live for is vitally important. Thanks for you best wishes and words of support.
All the best,
Bob
All the very best for your op and subsequent recovery. We will await your blog posts eagerly but appreciating they may be something that you won’t feel like doing for bit.
ReplyDeleteTake care
Alan
P.s hopefully Lulu will come up with the goods.
Tradgardmastare,
DeleteThanks very much for your best wishes. They are much appreciated.
I am hoping to get the whole thing over and done with ASAP ... and then I can get back to what passes for normal!
As for Lulu.com ... I’m still waiting for them to reply to one of my support requests.
All the best,
Bob
The white squares on the carpet are there to show us how to move around the black squares. Best wishes and a swift return.
ReplyDeleteMike
Mike C (Mike),
DeleteVery true! I get great psychological and morale support from the words and meaning of our ritual. When things were at their darkest, the Third had a great impact on the way I was able to look at the worst possible outcome, and to realise that by abiding by the lessons in the ritual, I had nothing to fear. After that realisation, my spirits lifted ... and I have been able to be far more positive.
S&F,
Bob
I went through the same thing 20 months ago so I know how you feel. Hope you recover as well as I have. You could be surprised how soon you get your mojo back Take care. Howard
ReplyDeleteHoward Brady,
DeleteThank you very much for your great words of encouragement ... especially as they are based on your own experience. I really do appreciate. What you have written in your comment.
All the best,
Bob
Best of luck for the operation Bob
ReplyDeleteMaudlin Jack Tar,
DeleteCheers! Your best wishes are greatly appreciated.
All the best,
Bob
Good luck with your op and getting your book published. This is the worst period to be in hospital, so praying for your speedy recovery, when the time comes,
ReplyDeleteJWH,
DeleteMany thanks for your kind words. The hospital is taking great pains to keep itself COVID secure ... which is why I am going to have a COVID test three days before I go in, then another the day before I am admitted. I will also not be allowed any visitors whilst I am recovering in hospital after the operation.
All the best,
Bob
Well it's good news that only one contained cancerous cells and that fingers crossed the keyhole surgery will sort things out for the better. Fortunately I was only in overnight for my op, but it did take it out of me as, as they said, I'd had major surgery. So make sure you take it easy and worth taking a laptop and/or books in case you are able to find the time to read, surf the net etc. Keeping everything crossed for you and your family Bob.
ReplyDeleteSteve J.,
DeleteThe test and colonoscopy seem to have caught things at a relatively early stage, which means that any treatment is likely to stand a much greater chance of success,
They are projecting that my stay in hospital after the operation will be seven days, but I suspect that if I make a reasonably swift recovery, they’ll try to send me home earlier.
I hope to take a laptop and Kindle with me so that I can do lots of reading and writing whilst I am there.
Thanks for your continued best wishes and support.
All the best,
Bob
I forgot to mention the superb support that MacMillan Cancer care offered once I was diagnosed. I'm not sure how this may run under the current Covid restrictions, but they had plenty of literature, helpful staff, talks etc. Worth availing yourself of whatever you think may help.
DeleteSteve J.,
DeleteI am told that the hospital is sending me a whole package of stuff to read, and I’ve had advise from two fellow wargamers who are doctors (an radiologist and an anaesthetist), I will, however, follow up your suggestion and see what MacMillan Cancer Care has to offer.
All the best,
Bob
Best wishes and hoping for a good result here Bob. Take care.
ReplyDeletePeter Douglas,
DeleteMany thanks for your best wishes for my full recovery.
All the best,
Bob
Good luck with the op Bob, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.
ReplyDeleteRay Rousell,
DeleteCheers! Thanks for your best wishes ... and I hope that I’m fully recovered by the next time we meet.
All the best,
Bob
Hoping for the fastest recovery and your earliest return to writing. My brother-in-law had a similar op earlier in the year. He had reached stage 3. He has responded well to both surgery and chemo and the care by our marvellous NHS has been superb. He is in the 5 year program and ticking all the boxes.
ReplyDeleteNorm,
DeleteThe story of your brother-in-law is very encouraging to read, and gives me lots of hope that I’ll make a full recovery. Thank you for sharing it with me.
All the best,
Bob
As far as can be said of such things, the news is promising. Best wishes are with you and we'll be here when you're back!
ReplyDeleteEd M,
DeleteThe situation could have been much worse, and the precautionary surgery should remove any potentially cancerous areas. Thanks for you best wishes; I really do appreciate them.
All the best,
Bob
Good news that they seem to have caught it early and that the wheels are in motion. One of the worst things about Covid has been the impact on peopel not getting the treatment they need for other health conditions. Hope it all goes smoothly and you're back to blogging soon.
ReplyDeleteAlastair,
DeleteI’ve been extremely lucky, and hope to begin treatment well before Christmas.
COVID-19 has created all sorts of problems, but our local NHS seems to have a very effective plan to mitigate the effects. It is a bit inconvenient having to travel five miles to Lewisham for treatment when our local hospital is less than a mile away ... but it is the location of the centralised surgery service during the pandemic, which makes a lot of sense.
All the best,
Bob
A difficult time to be getting such news, which would be hard at the best of times. My best wishes to you and I trust you will be back before too long.
ReplyDeleteJoppy,
DeleteNews that one has cancer is never easy to take in, but at least I know and can have treatment. I could have remained in ignorance ... and could have ended up very ill indeed.
Many thanks for your kind words.
All the best,
Bob
Sending good wishes and positive thoughts your way, Bob.
ReplyDeleteBest Regards,
Stokes
Heinz-Ulrich con Boffke (Stokes),
DeleteCheers, old chap! Many thanks for your kind best wishes.
All the best,
Bob
Best of luck Rob.
ReplyDeleteI'm in for colonoscopy next week, two of my staff recently underwent similar operations to you too.
Jacko,
DeleteGood luck with your colonoscopy. I found the pre-procedure to be unpleasant, but the actual colonoscopy was no problem at all.
I hope that your members of staff all make a complete recovery.
All the best,
Bob
All the best. Fingers crossed. Let us know you're okay when you know.
ReplyDeleteAdelaide Gamer,
DeleteCheers! Many thanks for your best wishes.
All the best,
Bob
Bob,
ReplyDeleteAll the best wishes for you op and recovery,the book and blog can wait, the most important thing Is look after yourself.
Take Care
Rich.
Rich,
DeleteMany thanks for your support and advice. At present, I am finding the writing my blog and trying to get the book finished is helping me to concentrate on something other than being ill, but once I have the operation, I will certainly be taking a bit of break.
All the best,
Bob
Godspeed Mr Cordery ;)
ReplyDeleteMr. Pavone,
DeleteCheers, old chap! Your kind words are much appreciated.
All the best,
Bob
My thoughts are with you Bob, all the best for a swift recovery.
ReplyDeleteJason Hall,
DeleteMany thanks for your kind words.
All the best,
Bob
Hi Bob,
ReplyDeleteI'm very concerned for you and Sue to go through this difficult time- I'm hoping your Operation goes well and that you can recover and be relaxed again- and back to your old cheery self. I had my Quadruple Bypass Heart Surgery back in April 2020 with over two weeks in Hospital and a much longer time to recover- I cannot do the physical things I once did and my Cardiologist recently banned me from using my 12ft Ladder to do some House Painting of our Cathedral Ceilings- so, my Friend Karl is doing it for us and will finish off tomorrow morning.
From the Paramedics (Emily & David) to my Surgeon Dr Jain and his staff and Liverpool Hospital Staff I was in the best of care- just super -and I hope this will be the same for you-
Hope everything goes well for you Bob- best wishes. Regards. KEV. (Sydney-Australia).
Kev Robertson (Kev),
DeleteCompared to your heart bypass operation, my procedure is relatively minor. I’m awaiting a pile of information from the hospital, but during our conversation yesterday, the surgeon left me with the impression that it will take a month or two after the operation until I’m fully recovered.
I’ve been very impressed with everyone from the hospital I have had dealings with. They all seemed very professional and genuinely caring, and the hospital seems to have a very patient-centred ethos.
All the best,
Bob
Speaking as a cancer survivor myself I have a good idea of the downs and ups that you will go through in the next few weeks. I found that blogging and email with chums helped a great deal.
ReplyDeleteGodspeed and full speed ahead.
Jim
Jim Duncan (Jim),
DeleteCheers! I do try to stay positive all the time, but there are times when my mind becomes preoccupied with the negative aspects of my situation. This is not helped by some of the published material that is online. That said, once I have the opportunity to read other people’s wargaming blogs and to push some figures around on my tabletop, my spirits are restored.
I’m not sure if I’ll be allowed to go online whilst I am in hospital, but if I can, I’ll be trying to blog and email as much as I can.
All the best,
Bob
Hi Bob
DeleteI just got my CT appointment details for my visit in January. Usually you have to drink a litre of water before you leave home and then a litre of contrast (diluted iodine) when you get there (takes an hour).
This time they have sent me a 50ml bottle of Omnipaque with instructions. I have to dilute 20ml of it in a litre of water and drink it before I leave for my appointment. I have to arrive within 5 minutes of my due time and I will get scanned without delay. This will minimise my time in the hospital to keep secondary coronavirus infection as limited as possible.
I expect your hospital my do something similar.
Jim Duncan (Jim),
DeleteYour hospital seems to be operating on a somewhat more proactive way than mine is. I suspect that is because your one trusts you to follow its instructions. If my experience is anything to go by, the locals in my area either cannot bother (or cannot read) the instructions they were given. For example, when I went for my colonoscopy, one man was turned away because he hadn’t taken the purge because the Moviprep didn’t taste very nice.
I hope that your CT scan goes well.
All the best,
Bob
Best wishes for your upcoming operation Bob and a speedy return to action. Can I also say, that I recently purchased The Portable Colonial Wargame and it's been very inspirational already. I'm already beavering away on the groundwork for my 1st campaign. I look forward to playing it soon and picking up your other books (including your upcoming Pike & Shot rules) when payday comes! All the best.
ReplyDeleteDonjondo,
DeleteMany thanks for your kind words regarding both my forthcoming operation and my PCW book. I hope that you enjoy your campaign, and that it encourages you to buy more of my books.
All the best,
Bob
Sorry to hear your bad news , hears hoping they get it sorted in short order - a week in hospital - take plenty of reading material ! Cheers Tony .
ReplyDeleteThe Good Soldier Svjek (Tony),
DeleteThanks for your best wishes. I’m hoping to take my Kindle in with me as it has several hundred books on it.
All the best,
Bob
Hi Bob, I do hope the Ops goes well and is done promptly - you have caught it early, that's good. Meanwhile, finishing the book should keep you occupied!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes, David
David in Suffolk,
DeleteJudging by what the surgeon said to me, the operation is more precautionary than an absolutely necessary, which would seem to indicate that the cancer is in its very early stages.
The book is almost finished, and I’m hoping to have it completed by Sunday.
Thanks for your best wishes,
All the best,
Bob
All my best wishes, Bob. Not the best news you could have received, that's for sure, but maybe not the worst, neither. But something one would rather not have to live with. Get well soon!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Ion.
Archduke Piccolo,
DeleteI was unsure at first as to whether taking the ‘poo sticks’ test was a good idea ... but if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have had the colonoscopy, and I wouldn’t be about to receive treatment to ensure that the cancer is removed. I now feel that it is better to know and to get treatment than to potentially die from ignorance.
Thanks for your best wishes.
All the best,
Bob
Good Luck, Bob. Remember to be polite to the Theatre Nurse. She decides on the needle size for the anaesthetic :-)
ReplyDeleteRegards, Chris.
Chris Kemp (Chris),
DeleteThanks for your best wishes ... and particularly the tip about the Theatre Nurse! I’m going to have a pre-op assessment and a meeting with someone from the anaesthetics team in less than a fortnight, after which I should have a date allocated to me for an operation early in December.
All the best,
Bob
all the best Bob , keep us posted
ReplyDeleteGunnery Sargent Rock,
DeleteCheers! Thanks for your support.
All the best,
Bob