Peter’s Hospital Diary

So it seems that my blog posts are like buses – nothing for ages, then two come along at once! So what, you might be asking, am I doing at Guys, on the Hedley-Atkins Ward in the evening of the second day of the New Year? Read on and I shall explain!

You will recall that I had a check up about seven weeks ago and all was fine, but about 3 weeks ago I noticed a lump near my navel which looked s bit like an umbilical hernia.

I made a an urgent appointment to see my GP who thought there was something else going and referred me to Winchester Hopital to see the Colo-Rectal Consultant and to have another blood test as my Creatine levels were high. She came to conclusion that it wasn’t bowel related related, but that a CT scan would yield more information.

Meanwhile I had given the Guys team a heads up and they brought my next review forward from May to January 9th – and then when my CT scan date was confirmed, forward again to today.

The scan was on Monday but when I arrived today the results hadn’t been sent through – however I had a full set of bloods (amazed I still have any left!) and a comprehensive examination which showed that I didn’t have any enlarged surface lymph nodes (groin, armpits) – which is good news! I will probably have another PET scan in the next couple of weeks – I think my 23rd!

So I was sent on my way but instead of catching the next train, I called in to have lunch with youngest daughter. While there, I had a call from Guys asking where I was and could I come back for urgent treatment to reduce high blood calcium levels. And here I am, admitted overnight in Hadley Atkins Ward opposite Samaritan Ward, where I had all my transplants 12 to 20 years ago.

It feels strange but oddly reassuring to be back, a lot has changed! The ‘shabby chic’ (more shabby than chic) retro look of the 1960s has gone as the wards have been completely updated. The food, about which I had strong opinions – see ‘About…Hospital Food’ – is tasty and cooked in the hospital premises instead of being sent by slow boat from St Thomas’s and then re-heated. I have just had beef goulash and Plum and Apple crumble. So it seems that the catering department has realised and embraced the notion that hospital food is meant to promote patient recovery, not hinder it!

What hasn’t changed are the wonderful nursing and medical staff.

As for me, the last three weeks have been a worry, especially as my personal life in the last three months as taken a decided turn for the better.

So in time honoured tradition,

“Onwards and Upwards”