Firstly, thanks to everyone who wrote a comment on yesterday’s blog post. By the time I got home from the hospital I wasn’t in the mood for answering each one individually, but I enjoyed reading them.
As you might gather, things did not quite go as I expected. Sue and I arrived at 1.00pm and whilst she remained outside in the waiting area, I was ushered into the Radiology Department. I waited there until nearly 1.45pm, at which point I was told to empty my bladder and then drink 350ml of water as quickly as I could.
At 2.00pm my bladder was subject to an ultrasound scan … and was found to be too empty. I then had to drink a further 350ml of water and at 2.30pm I had a second ultrasound scan … and this time I was told that the scar tissue from my colostomy was making it difficult to see how full my bladder was and that I was going to need to have a CT scan.
I was directed to a changing room and changed out of my clothes and put on a back-opening gown and non-slip socks. Once I had done this, I was taken into the treatment room and given a CT scan. This apparently satisfied the radiotherapists who were administering my treatment, and my prostate and its associated lymph nodes were then zapped with directional X-rays. Once this was done (and the zapping only lasted a few minutes) I was shown back into the changing room, and once I was dressed, I was allowed to leave. By this time it was 3.15pm and I was both hungry (I’d had no lunch) and bursting to go to the loo!
Apparently, the problem with my bladder is associated with my slow metabolic rate, and I take longer than the average person to pass water through my system. Therefore, as from today, I have to start the water drinking process at least an hour before my appointment to ensure that my bladder is full when I am given my pre-procedure ultrasound.
To add a further bit of confusion to my situation, at the end of today's treatment I was given a completely different schedule of treatment times from the ones I was given during my recent visit to Guy's Hospital, London Bridge. As a result, I am going to have to change a number of appointments I have already arranged, and I am definitely going to have to miss several important Masonic meetings that I was due to attend. This is somewhat annoying and inconvenient ... but the success of my radiotherapy is my most important concern and must take priority over everything else.
Hi Bob
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that your treatment has finally started, even if it did not go exactly as planned.
I found one of the most annoying aspects of hospital treatment is that you are no longer treated as a person, which is completely different from a patient
Very little, if any, attention is given to YOU. I recall my first appointment to investigate my undiagnosed prostate cancer. I had an appointment for 1400 at my local hospital. I arrived, booked in with the receptionist and was directed to a large waiting area filled with people. After an hour I had not been called and went to the receptionist again, and was told to wait again. After yet another hour I had not been called, and once more reutrned to the reception only to be told that the specialist had "left the building" and they were very sorry that they had forgotten all about me, I would have to rebook! The receptionist had also left, and the new one knew nothing about me. A nurse was called, and was very sorry (though she did not seem it to me) but nothing could be done except to wait for another appointment which would be sent in due course. This was 21 years ago, so not much seems to have changed with our "world beating" NHS.
Hope that the rest of your treatment goes well
best regards
Paul
Thistlebarrow (Paul),
DeleteI know what you mean about being treated differently as soon as one becomes a patient. Yesterday there was a change of shift during my time waiting to be treated and at one point I was alone in the waiting area drinking water and wondering whether the staff might have forgotten that I was there.
The NHS might not be perfect, but it seems better than the health service elsewhere in the world.
All the best,
Bob
The days will fly by Bob though it's a lot to cope with in the meantime. Sending you best wishes.
ReplyDeleteLee.
‘Lee,
DeleteCheers! I’m sure that you’re right … but I wish that there was some consistency with regard to my appointment times, which seem to be rather random.
All the best,
Bob
You are being passed from pillar to post as it were Bob! Thankfully your treatment has started, which is the most important thing. At least when you do go back to your Lodge meetings, it will seem all the sweeter after some time away. All the best!
ReplyDeleteSteve J.,
DeleteThe worst bit was when I was left in the waiting area on my own and I began to wonder if I’d been forgotten about.
My Lodges all understand why I’m missing meetings … but I enjoy going to them for the camaraderie, and that is what I’m going to miss a lot.
All the best,
Bob
Hope things go well for you. And yes, radiotherapy is the main priority. The Lodge will understand.
ReplyDeleteRob Young,
DeleteCheers! You are right on both counts, and going to a Lodge meeting when I’m feeling fit and well gives me something to look forward to.
All the best,
Bob
Sorry to hear about the difficulties. One time I turned up for an appointment and they hadn't told me I would need to give a urine sample. I'd followed the hallowed tradition of my family "always go before you go". Despite drinking lots of water, three hours later still no result so they sent me home and arranged a new appoinment!
ReplyDeleteBrian Cameron,
DeleteI’m hoping that once I get into the rhythm of going for my treatment, things will get quicker and easier. It would help if my appointments were roughly at the same time each day as they expect me to drink at least a litre of water before each treatment. This is out of the two litres per day they expect me to drink … and plain water can be exceedingly boring stuff to drink in large quantities.
All the best,
Bob
I generally try to drink a fair bit of water so that, by the time I arrive and speak to receptionist, I “need to go the loo soon”. I then ask the receptionist to clarify whether they need a urine sample or not. No = go to the loo now, before the appointment. Yes = I’m “ready” to provide the sample. 😉
DeleteI suppose, in defence of the NHS, they are a huuuuge organisation with lots & lots & lots of patients, all of which would prefer being seen sooner rather than later. That’s no consolation though, if you are the one on the end of what seems to be “far from ideal” standard of service. Hopefully, once you get things established into a routine then things will run smoother.
All the best,
Geoff
Elliesdad (Geoff),
DeleteI got back from my second zapping … and made sure that I did what you suggested. I drank plenty of water in the hour leading up to when I had to leave for the hospital so that when I got there thirty minutes later, I was already feeling full. I had another glass when I got there, was given an ultrasound scan, and was changes and on the machine bang on time. Once I was finished I was desperate to go to the loo as soon as I was changed … and I was back home less than two hours after I left.
Today I was processed by a completely different team of people and the difference in the way I was treated was noticeable. Perhaps I was just unlucky yesterday because all my previous interactions with NHS staff up until then had been excellent … which is why the rather offhand way I was dealt with yesterday was so jarring,
All the best,
Bob
Glad you finally got the ball rolling, even though it wasn't A smooth start. I hope your treatments prove effective and your side effects aren't too bad.
ReplyDeleteMark Cordone,
DeleteToday was a lot better, and if the rest of my treatment goes as well, the time will pass very quickly.
I’m told that I won’t notice any side effects until after the treatment has ended, and that the likelihood that I will have any is low.
All the best,
Bob
Yikes! This all sounds rather unpleasant as well as inconvenient but does remind me vaguely of the sort of comments some sorts of unpleasant students might make about older teachers they didn't like.........
ReplyDeleteI hope the next one is easier and that good test results will be the norm for decades to come.
Ross Mac,
DeleteToday’s treatment was far better, as was the way the staff dealt with me.
My prostate journey started in May 2022 when I was immediately hospitalised by a consultant urologist when I went in for a consultation. At the time I had nearly two litres of urine drained from my system and my PSA score was 75. Within months my drugs regime had reduced the PSA score to less than 0.1 and after the TURP I had in June 2022, I was well on the way to getting back to normal. CT scans showed that the cancer had spread to two lymph nodes next to the prostate but that it was not spreading and appeared to be treatable with X-rays. The radiotherapy is not guaranteed to be 100% effective, but the vast majority of people who have the treatment don’t get a recurrence within ten years … and if I can manage that, I’ll be eighty-three.
Keep safe and keep well,
Bob
PS. Once I’m back to normal, Sue and I hope to revisit North America at some time. If we do, we hope to be able to meet up with both of you again.
I hope so as well!
DeleteRoss Mac,
DeleteIt’s a promise!
All the best,
Bob
My first thought on seeing your post title was of the old cliché, "no plan survives contact with the enemy". Glad Friday went better.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for sharing your experiences. It could be a help to others in the future.
All the best.
Nundanket,
DeleteVery true about what happened on Thursday ... and Friday was a completely different story.
I find that sharing what has happened to me helps me to cope with the various stresses and strains inherent with undergoing cancer treatment ... and I hope that doing so will allay other people's concerns.
All the best,
Bob
Bob -
ReplyDeleteIt all sounds moderately horrible, but I guess at least you no longer have to wait for the real process of rehabilitation to begin. My best wishes go out to you at this time. It seems so far to be going well!
Cheers,
Ion
Archduke Piccolo (Ion),
DeleteThanks for your best wishes. They are greatly appreciated.
It was rather stressful on Thursday, but I am hoping that once I get into the rhythm of treatment (and particularly the daily preparation I need to undergo), things will get better.
All the best,
Bob