MEDICAL MATTERS

[Big Kev]

Thank you Ian. I have massive sympathy for all those that have the opposite result but am selfishly very relieved. It's been an anxious few weeks from the 'rubber glove job' at the GP surgery to the outcome today and I consider myself very lucky.

[PanBiker]

Aye, you can do without the C word, that doesn't do anyone any favours. I had a similar wait for histology of my tumour after my op. My surgeon Mr Anderson came to see me in the HDU the morning after my surgery to reassure me that the signs were good. A hell of a relief when it came back grade 1. I just have to hope the bloody thing doesn't grow again. I am still amazed that I never had a headache.

[chinatyke]

Today is a good day, prostate cancer has been ruled out by the biopsy. Further investigation is required but the 'elephant in the room' has cleared off

[Cathy]

Kevin

[Wendyf]

Great news Kev.

[Big Kev]

Thank you ❤

[Tizer]

Wonderful news, Kev!

[Stanley]

That's good Kev. I often wonder why they raise cancer as a possibility before they actually know. We have had a recent diagnosis of lung cancer in my immediate family downgraded after four weeks wait to what is admittedly a serious acute condition but nowhere near as worrying as cancer.

[Wendyf]

Raising the possibility of cancer gets you fast tracked into the system for tests and investigations, worrying for a short time but better than waiting months to be seen.

[Big Kev]

It certainly does, I've been very impressed with the NHS so far. Just for clarity the MRI results used the terminology PIRADS 5/LIKERT 3 abnormality in the documentation I received. Googling that is eye opening reading over breakfast.

[Wendyf]

So the likelihood of it being cancer was quite high!

[Big Kev]

It certainly was, scared the pants off me to be honest. There's still a 17mm lesion to be investigated, something is causing the inflammation but they're not overly worried about it now. A few more tests next week.

[Stanley]

I hadn't thought about that Wendy and you're right they certainly pulled the stops out on our case.

[PanBiker]

I think that is why my tumour was initially described as a mass. Firmed up to a Meningioma tumour after the first contrasted MRI. At that point it is still an unknown as without biopsy they can be any grade between 1 and 3, 1 is the nice end and just taking up space needed for other things, 3 is the scary cancer end and has the greatest potential to spread, infect bone etc. Biopsy isn't really an option so you have to wait until it's out and in the lab. Size, location and the impact of symptoms were the driving forces for my tracking through the system. Transient seizures were becoming more regular and the size and location was potentially in the nasty bit for potential permanent disability if it wasn't sorted. I cannot fault the NHS for any of my treatment once on the roller coaster, glad I got sorted before the pandemic also.

[Big Kev]

I think the pandemic has put a lot of people off getting an initial diagnosis and the NHS are fast tracking people through the system (not sure if this is true or not), if the MRI had been operational on my first consultation I would have had the MRI and the biopsy on the same day.

[Stanley]

I get the impression you are correct Kev.

[Sue]

I hadn't thought about that Wendy and you're right they certainly pulled the stops out on our case.

Yes it is the reason. When I had the problem with my gum the GP explained that to me. Query cancer got me seen within 2 weeks, it was actually 4 days. Great news Kev.

[Big Kev]

[Great news Kev.

Thank you Sue, I consider myself very lucky.

[Cathy]

Kevin... Have you bought a Lottery Ticket?
I would.

[Big Kev]

not so lucky with last night's lottery...

[Stanley]

Don't encourage him Cathy!

[Big Kev]

Today involved a flow test and it's slow, which is the reason I went to my GP in the first place. We're getting there

[Stanley]

I quite enjoy slow....
Seriously though, as you get older (I'm talking about my age Kev, not yours.) Lots of things change and you can either go into a decline and spend all your time with doctors or accept that it's inevitable and deal with it.
This isn't advice, it's my way of surviving. One of the changes is that I find interactions with doctors and hospitals very stressful, especially the appointments! So I avoid them. Quite possibly a big mistake but so far so good!

[Big Kev]

The NHS is a wonderful thing and, if i have to, I will make use of it (use it or lose it). There's definitely something amiss and although the big one has been ruled out investigations will contnue
If they do find something that needs sorting I will make use of private medical insurance and take the strain off of them.

[chinatyke]

Put your own thinking caps on. My thoughts are not accepted here. That has been made clear. You lot are the brains, apparently.

Well, looks like Maz has gone as her profile has disappeared. She sometimes had an adversarial style but I'll miss her.