MEDICAL MATTERS

[Stanley]

My trip to Well and the surgery on Monday has worked. I have just been to Well for my meds and the prescription repeat is set for a year and Well informed me this morning by text that my meds were ready for me.

[Stanley]

I saw this report this morning....
A study published in The Lancet Public Health suggests that walking 7,000 steps a day can significantly improve health outcomes, including a reduced risk of early death, cardiovascular disease, cancer, dementia, and falls, compared to walking only 2,000 steps. The study found that the biggest gains in health benefits occur before the 7,000-step mark, but that more steps still offer additional benefits

[Wendyf]

It's taken a while but Colin had a face to face appointment with a doctor at Earby Surgery yesterday. He is now on their list of palliative care patients, which means he gets priority with appointments, phone calls etc. All the drugs he needs are now on repeat prescription. Not all the notes from consultations at Airedale are on their system, and nothing had gone through to the East Lancs Palliative Care Team or Community Nursing.
It is such a relief to know that support should now be in place, but it looks like we will have to bridge that gap in communication between Yorkshire and Lancashire ourselves!
Col starts his chemo today with a session in Airedale getting an infusion of one drug, and the other one he will take in tablet form twice daily. We don't know yet whether immunotherapy will be added into the mix, that depends on test results from the biopsy which are still to arrive back.

[Stanley]

Morning Wendy.... I'm pleased to hear you seem to be getting them to speak to each other! Tell Col, good luck with the start of the treatment. In my experience even the 'good' reactions knock a couple of days out of your week. I hope he has the best results possible. Don't forget to look after yourself!

[PanBiker]

Didn't get on the site yesterday as we spent most of the day at Airedale A&E yestrday! Sally found she had something going on in her right eye when she was reading yesterday morning, she had wavy vision in the corner of her eye, she said it looked like she was looking through water. She rang 111 for advice and they advised her to go to urgent care to get checked, they suggested Blackburn or Airedale so we chose the latter. She was called for triage within 20 minutes but then the next session took nearly 5 hours to arrange. She saw a nice bloke in the ENT department who did loads of tests then wrote up some notes for her and arranged a referral to Bradford Royal Infirmary on Thursday.

In the interim, as its a long time until Thursday she has rung James Bontoft to ask if he can have a look with his kit. We will still go to Bradford on Thursday though.

[Gloria]

Sorry to read about this Wendy, just sending you a big hug.

[Wendyf]

Sorry to read about this Wendy, just sending you a big hug.

Thanks Gloria. I needed that hug!

[Gloria]

Sorry to read about this Wendy, just sending you a big hug.

Thanks Gloria. I needed that hug!

Have another anytime xx

[Stanley]

Ian, sorry to hear about Sally's eye. Worrying stuff. I hope it turns out to be something minor that clears up quickly.... I remember what it was like when my retina detached.....

[Wendyf]

Col was quite ill last night. He has been struggling from the effects of the chemo tablets and by eight o clock yesterday evening he had a raised temperature and strong stomach pain. I followed instructions to phone the 24 hour help line and we were called in to Airedale. I had enjoyed a glass of wine or two with my tea so couldn't drive and the hospital sent a taxi for us rather than an ambulance.
Chemo patients get an emergency prescription for antibiotics so soon after arrival in A&E he could be put on a drip. His temperature kept on fluctuating and at one point he was shivering so violently I thought he was in shock. They were waiting for a side room on a ward to become available but that didn't happen, so he stayed in one of the treatment rooms and I left him to it at 4.30am when things had settled and he was dozing reasonably peacefully. I got a taxi and finally arrived home at about 5.30am.
We will see what the day brings!

[Big Kev]

Oh, that's horrible. Hopefully Colin becomes 'acclimatised' to the treatment and finds some comfort.

[PanBiker]

Oh Wendy, please give Colin our best wishes. All chemo is an invasion of the immune system and the heavier stuff even more so. I hope he can develop some kind of tolerance to the regime.

Thanks for the comment Stanley, the problem has eased since Sunday. We will probably find out more on Thursday morning.

[Stanley]

Wendy, I've just seen your post. That must have been terrible for you as well as Colin. My treatment was a stroll in the park compared to that.... Feed the hens and go back to bed for a while. I hope you can get him back home quickly as I know that's what you will both want. Have a virtual big hug and when you see him give him my best wishes please..... ! XXX

[Cathy]

Wendy , have you managed some good rest? Hope things are looking better for you both.

[Wendyf]

I had an hour or so this morning before my elderly cat screamed at me to get up and feed her!
Col has just been moved to a ward, and I have contacted the specialist nurse team to alert them to his admission. I'm gathering bits and pieces that he needs to take in this afternoon.

[Stanley]

All I can say is that you and Colin are front and centre of my thoughts. I wish there was something concrete I could do.... Hang in there Wendy.... Big hug!

[Stanley]

Thinking about you.....

[Wendyf]

Thanks for all your comments, concern and virtual hugs! Col is feeling a bit better, well enough to start moaning and complaining about being in hospital. He is still getting antibiotics and a scan has shown a build up of infection somewhere in his innards. He hasn't heard the full results yet. He was moved to another ward late last night and I'm still waiting to hear exactly where he is.
I had a solid 5 hour sleep until 3.00am this morning when I woke to find Col's message about being moved again.

[Stanley]

That sounds slightly better and thank you for letting us know Wendy. Tell Col to keep up with the moaning! It will make him feel better.
I hope the slight improvement continues and you soon get Col back where I'm certain he wants to be, at home with his main woman!
I shall continue to think about you and please accept another big hug from one of your biggest fans!

[Wendyf]

Colin feeling much better this afternoon, he even came for a walk down the corridor with me. Yesterday I couldn't imagine him coming home again, but today the infection is in retreat and he is much improved. The cancer is growing fast and is now confirmed to be in his pancreas as well. The chemo team still believe that chemo can help, once he has recovered from this infection.

[Tripps]

You two are at the forefront of my thoughts at the moment.

Nice to hear some good news, and a bit of progress.

All best wishes from Tripps.

[Wendyf]

I really appreciate the support from everyone on One Guy.

[Gloria]

Hugs xxxxxx

[Big Kev]

Thinking positive thoughts for you both

[Cathy]

Wendy, Hoping for the best for Colin, good to hear of his progress.
Make sure that you look after You too Wendy.