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Maurice is a regular poster on the RDOC
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Thursday 6th May 2004
Cheryl took me to Bradford Royal for 7:30am yesterday.
The anaesthetist came and explained the procedure
for putting me to sleep. The nurses went through
my belongings and made a list. I was measured for
a pair of surgical stocking and got undressed before
putting on the usual height of fashion gown. Mr
Bem (my consultant) came round and explained what
he was going to do. I was on tenter hooks whether
to ask if he had got any results from my scan. I
decided I would and he told me that my chest and
lungs were clear, which was a great relief. He also
informed me that the scan also indicated that the
primary was at the base of my tongue and possibly
could be treated with radiotherapy. This too was
a relief. I was then taken for my operation. I was
a bit scared when they put the mask over my face
but, all in all, it was not too bad.
Next thing I knew, I was waking up again in the
recovery room, with a very sore mouth and feeling
sick. The nurse asked me to tell her in a range
from 1-10 how bad it was, I said 6, I think and
gave me an injection for the pain (morphine). She
also gave me an injection for my sickness. She asked
about my pain level shortly after and gave me a
further injection for pain.
I was then taken to ward 18 and put in a two bed
ward with an 84 year old gentleman. I drifted in
and out of sleep until 2:45pm when I was allowed
fluids and the nurse brought me a cup of tea.
Mr Bem called to see me and confirmed that he could
see something at the base of my tongue but it was
only very small and thought it could be treated
with radiotherapy. He said that I would get a clinic
appointment for next Wednesday and then his team
and me would go through all my options. My operation
for my neck tumour would probably be in 4 weeks
time.
At tea time, I was given soup and bangers and mash.
I managed to eat a little of the soup gravy but
that was all.
I was awake on and off all night with the pain but
the nurses were very good and kept me topped up
with painkillers.
I think today has been a good day as things look,
to me, a lot more positive. I am not daft enough
to think I haven't got a fight on my hands but I
do think that I can win.
Today, I still felt really confident; Mr Bem visited
me and said I could go home. My brother-in-law David
picked me up and I got home for about 4:00pm. My
brother Peter came round with some tins of soup
for my tea and he also stayed the night.
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