Have they seen you at MMU and other events? You use any excuse to spin on your head…
Fabulous news, FF another sigh of relief:smileyhappy:!
How quickly would going “private” be JCJ?
If you can do it, perhaps sooner rather than later is a good idea as it has been awful for you, hope you get your appt and can make a decision tout suite.
Another gorgeous day, off into town soon, lots of shopping to do!
Had to laugh this morning was outside and in the car park there were two cars one registration “grr” the other “mmu” how weird was that?? xx
Letter from local surgery, for me, this morning! OMG! The nurse got it wrong…??? It was just the standard “Having looked at your scan results, I would like you to be seen in surgery …” But they very kindly added “(Nothing serious was found, so don’t worry!)” Phew!!
Armed with this letter, I’ve just been up to the surgery and booked the earliest available bookable appointment with the doc who referred me for scans - as I believe he is my best bet for a referral to gallstone consultant. Appointment is Tuesday 21st, so not too long. I will wait until I’ve seen him before deciding on my other options!
I looked into going private and it will be £5000-£6000 and it’s such a minefield - choosing a hospital/surgeon, checking their credentials, checking emergency procedures/hidden costs etc, etc, etc! that I just CBA!! (It took me 10+ years to organise the kitchen refit after all!!) I will mention to doc, when I see him, that I’ve considered it, as I’ve heard there may be a possibility of “going private on the NHS” - to speed things up (though I’m not sure how I feel about that, morally!! :smileyconfused:)
Now I know it IS “just” a gallstone, I think I will be able to cope with it better, while I’m awaiting surgery. I’ve just got to be strict with myself about what I eat!!
Never let it be said that I am NORMAL. Normal is boring! think I might consider it an insult:smileyhappy: I am ME, strange, brilliant, unique, bonkers, head spinning a speciality. Perhaps I should go on Britain’s Got Talent!
JCJ - I’ve been a bit bored today and whilst mooching about the internet came across a claim that a Chinese homeopathic remedy called Gold Coin Grass Tincture can “cure” gallstones. Thought I would pass this on to you so you could research it, although I’m sceptical because if that were the case Drs would be prescribing it. Maybe it can alleviate symptoms? Just a thought.
Son’s car has passed it’s MOT, just three new tyres and two light bulbs needed. We were expecting it to fail miserably due to its age and problems (a W reg) and I know I will have to help him out financially to buy a new car. He really could do with a 7 seater and we have been looking around. We actually found one that seemed to fit the bill but then his car has passed at little cost. The advisories on his MOT mean that it probably won’t be worth repairing next April so we have a year to hopefully find a bargain.
Back to school tomorrow, non pupil day so only the teachers to clean up after but I bet they make more mess than the children.
Thanks for the info, FF. Gallstones can’t be ‘cured’. They used to try to dissolve them with various things, or even blast them with lazers, but they always came back, apparently, so I expect, at best, this is what this Chinese stuff does.
Being of a scientific background and having heard about the latest research into the (non)effectiveness of homeopathic medicine, I’d probably be too sceptical for it to work on me anyway!
Great news about your son’s MOT relief! It gives you/him some time to look around for a replacement. And it’ll be easier to part-x or sell on with a decent amount of MOT left on it!
Back at work tomorrow, and I’m so not ready. Need another week off to make up for being ill half the holiday! I’m taking home-made fat-free sultana tea cake with me to celebrate my scan results. I’ll leave some in the lost plotting shed too. Help yourselves. Spread butter on it if you wish.
Well, once again dragged the hoover from the darkest of corners of that cupboard, also did a little ironing soooooooooo am off to sit on the “smug” bench.
Babysitting on Sat, everything went well as big sister was on hand to help with baby brother. YD was speaking to him and he started to laugh loudly (first time) so she was delighted!! We went to chippie (sorry JCJ) and bought sweeties for our Midnight Feast. GD drew a map of our journey and plans for M, she’s superly excited as she wants to see where Nannie’s Ladies meet:smileyhappy:!
Good news about son’s car FF, give you plenty of time to look around.
Am off to THAT place shortly, 4 weeks on Thurs, grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! xx
Fine, Katy, it’s fine. You enjoy your chippies and I’ll just put another load of washing on!
I’ve put a washing machine in the shed for you - it takes water from the lake and drains into there too, so the alligators might get a little agitated, especially if they get soap in their eyes!
Back at work today and it made me realise just how far from my ‘normal’ self I still am (yes, I know, that’s never very normal… Hear hear to what FF says!) Almost felt like crying this afternoon: badly behaved class and underprepared work left for them. :smileymad:
My colleagues have been really supportive over the whole liver mets worry, and now I’ve told them the scans were clear they don’t seem to understand that I still don’t feel well! Gosh listen to me… I’m turning into such a whinge-bag!
You are not a whingebag:smileyhappy:! The stress and constant worrying over the last few weeks does take it’s toll, then you have gall problems on top of that. Hard to feel anything else than tired now, deep breaths and big hugs xx
Off into town later then out for tea, not telling you what I’m having haha!! xx
Whingebag? I haven’t heard a single whinge from you JCJ. Although you’ve had reason.
Off to work early today so that I can leave early and get to the consultant’s appointment this evening. Now that I have had the mammo results I am not as concerned as I would otherwise have been.
Beautiful weather today, hopefully I will get home while it is still light. I don’t like driving in the dark these days.
Ffingers crossed, FF - 'though, as you say, a clear mammo makes it much less scary!
I’ve felt a lot betterr these last 2 days - not quite so inclined to retire immediately! - I’ve even realised I still quite like (most of) my job!
Sister had the first half of her transplant yesterday, after 2 weeks of nearly daily chemo. She’s feeling tired and fragile and has a raging migraine (a common SE of the anti-rejection meds) but is otherwise doing really well. She may even get away without losing her hair - just thinning, which won’t be a problem as her hair is even thicker than mine (was)!!
YD started her new job on Monday, so it’s been quite a week!!
Ffingers crossed for FF??? Obviously worked as I’ve got a clean bill of health for another year and the assurance that if I decide to stop taking Ta’poxy’fen she will be ok with that. Lots of discussion on how much benefit I am actually getting from it (on NHS predict it’s 0%, that’s why I brought it up). On the other hand it MIGHT/who knows? be protecting me from getting it again in the other side (unrelated to what I had before)and on the other hand, what about the risks of uterine problems caused by the Ta’poxy’fen? I am aware that is three hands but this is Benchland and such things are possible!!
It is MY decision and right now I don’t know what to do. All kinds of thoughts are running through my mind.
As I have absolutely NO side effects so far (unless it’s Wockhart) quality of life doesn’t enter into it. And just as I was leaving she said, would I regret it if anything happened? AAAARRRGGGHH! This requires much thought.
I also asked about cosmetic surgery, last year I dismissed it out of hand when she offered it,but this year I thought I’d learn a little more about it. I would need THREE operations to remove fat from my stomach and inject it ito my boob and if even one of these ops doesn’t go perfectly then the fat can clump together and cause lumps and bumps and imperfections. So this is not going to happen. The new prosthesis that I got yesterday is going to be my b’r’est friend now!:smileyhappy:
I am SO glad that you are feeling betterJCJ, long may it continue. Glad your sister is doing as well as possible and hope she doesn’t lose her hair. Although it’s a small thing in the grand scheme, it helps anyone to feel better. Also hope the new job is all your YD hopes it will be.
Sooooooooo glad you are feeling better JCJ and your sister has completed some of her treatment. Sounds a lot to go through.
Hope YD loves her new job:smileyhappy:!
FF, why is it 0%? If you have no side effects and it stops anything appearing in the other breast perhaps it would be wise to just keep going with it. How long is it until your 5 years of ta"poxy"fen is up?
Surgery, it’s entirely up to you, you can sit on it for another wee while…hopefully your new friend will be fabulous!
Another sunny day here, phoned about you know what and part has only been ordered 3 weeks ago and it could be 4??? Geez am soooooooooo fed up (though if that’s the only thing I’m bothered about seems insignificant compared to others problems) xx
Hard to type with crossed ffingers, FF. That’s my excuse!
Katy, I think you should reduce your weekly rent payment by at least as much as launderette costs + some for the inconvenience. You are paying for a flat with a washing machine, so it’s only fair…and might make landlord get his/her finger out a bit quicker??
Spoke too soon about being much better! Had to go to bed at 8pm last night because I felt really c***p again. No pain, “just” nausea. Bit better today but still a bit iffy - and people will keep flaunting high-fat delicious snacks under my nose. Party packs of mini sausages (my favourite!) and mini scotch eggs at staff meeting today. And crisps. And cake.
Sister’s hair started to fall out today - so the hair specialist came and shaved it off! She said it would be painful otherwise. But at least her chemo has finished, so it shouldn’t be too long before it grows back.
Early start today, off to help paint daughter’s bedroom. Little bit of a damp problem which son-in-law has fixed. Just need redecorating. Why do I agree to these things?
Hope you are feeling better today JCJ.
Looks as if it’s going to be another beautiful day.
Decorating!? Mmmm. You really do need to learn the NnnnnnO word, FF!
I just had a laugh. I decided to try to find the dancing ferrets again, to cheer us all up. There is an entertainment group that makes discs and organises concerts, called The Dancing Ferret Group!! I think they must have stolen the idea after watching one of our amazing performances featuring FF’s famous routine?
Katy, I’m still trying to figure out what triggers my ickiness. I’m sure stress will be a factor, as it usually exacerbates stomach problems?! I have been worried about my sister, obviously, but the worst pain was definitely food related. Avoiding fat does seem to help.
Had a phone call from Drs Surgery when I got home yesterday - (3 missed calls from “withheld”). They said Dr can’t see me at 8:40am on Tuesday, because “He won’t be in that early”. Luckily, she offered me 9:20am the same day, instead, before I had time to blow a gasket!! Grrrrr! It just goes on and on!
Soooooooooo annoying JCJ at least it’s the same day…good luck for tomorrow.
If FF, does THAT dance she will have that room decorated in no time haha:smileyhappy:!
Thought would have an early night, went to bed and pulled my duvet around me, knocked over my lamp all ok apart from bulb not working, soooooo went through to kitchen to get a new one and hit bulb off the wall…shattered glass EVERYWHERE. By the time it was all cleared up, wasn’t an early night after all…fun times.
Grey day here, have lots to do, just have to get off that bench soon xx
Docs appointment went well. No teddies needed to be harmed (by throwing out of prams!!) or dummies spat.
Dr has given me a printout of all 3 scan result summaries - without me having to ask! This will be very useful if I do decide to go private, because I won’t have to pay to have scans done again. Also I have it in writing: “MRI features are suggestive of liver cysts rather than metastasis”
He agreed that I do need to have gallbladder removed, BUT he has referred me to a gastroenterologist first because it could be the cysts causing my symptoms - in which case removing the gallbladder will not solve anything! Most likely, the specialist will just refer me straight on to surgeon for gallbladder op. (I’m really hoping no more scans/investigations will be needed!) Dr said that if he tells me to go back to GP for referral all I have to do is phone surgery and tell the receptionist to ask him to refer me - no appointment necessary - music to my ears!!
He has marked the referral as urgent, so it “should be within 4 weeks” - but I’ve heard that before so I won’t hold my breath!!
I feel soooo much better now I know something is going to be DONE at last!
He also gave me some anti-nausea meds to take as and when needed, so that should help a lot too, if it works.
The only thing now that I’ve got to try to forget I read, on CT scan report, is: “scanned part of skeleton shows degenerative change in spine” Oooh er??! RT damage? Tapoxyfen? Zoladex? Just normal ageing? I’m NOT going to worry about it (she says?!) as none of docs have mentioned it, but I may ask onc about it when I see her in June.
Sitting in my garden with after work cuppa watching the robins building a nest in the ivy, 10 feet from my chair!
