Peter’s Hospital Diary

Well, four years since I last updated the blog – and it has actually been offline for a lot of that time. This has been for two main reasons – the first was that I made some major changes to the software which stopped the blog software from working properly, and as I said in the last post, I felt that the blog had done its job.

Medically, the last four years have been largely good, although three years ago a small lesion on my leg proved to be a skin version of the old foe – and while that was treated successfully with localised radiotherapy, it was a reminder that there is something lurking, and I need to be ever vigilant. It might have been the result of stress from the divorce – who knows. As a result I went back to Guys hospital (I had been at Kings for the late effects clinic) for 4 monthly check ups, which have now gone out to 6 monthly. The last one was two weeks ago, where I saw Karen, one of the wonderful specialist nurses that looked after and treated me over the years.

Guy’s itself has a brand new cancer centre, treating all forms of cancer, including blood cancers, although there are still the specialist haematology clinics. This was first mentioned here.

My personal life is on a far more even keel, so the tag “getting my life back” is pertinent on many levels! Life is good!

Reading back through the blog brought back many mixed emotions – at times it is hard to believe I was writing about myself. As I said to Karen, most of my memories are positive – although reading about the itraconozole and some of the food brought back less pleasant memories so maybe my (now reading) glasses really are rose tinted!

There is some sadness too – reading about people I knew who are no longer here, Elspeth, Simon M, and others.

The blog only covers 2006 onwards, but of course I was diagnosed in May 1999 – nineteen and a half years ago. Over time I have seen my children grow up – two married and all with successful and varied careers, and of course my granddaughter – now aged 11.

I have been very fortunate.

So – onwards and upwards! 🙂 click here to go to the start of the blog