Peter’s Hospital Diary

This blog is getting like a bus service – nothing for ages, then two posts arrive at once!

I am sitting in the dermatology day centre at St Thomas’s connected to the ECP machine, so typing one handed is a bit slow (and error prone!) Good news is that the browser has a spell check – bad news is that it is an American dictionary.

It has been a bit of a short week; I was at Corsham for the first three days (and a very frosty Tuesday morning!), although I was at a meeting in London this morning before nipping over the river. I shall be staying the night (hope it’s warm) as usual, ready for the second session tomorrow morning – then back home for the weekend.

A few plans – I need to upgrade my laptop to see if I can get the video side of Skype working (just had a slow typed conversation with Jane – of photo fame below) and I must make a start on my coursework. I also have a computer to build (the file server I mentioned before) although I don’t think all the parts will be here – still, I should be able to make a start!

Onwards and upwards!

Tags: ECP

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In fact I am very glad that I live near the top of a hill, and above the road level as the rainwater has been streaming past the drive this morning! Not as bad as Wiltshire where we have had quite a lot of road flooding, and of course nowhere near as bad as Cumbria.

It has been a busy three weeks though. My weekends have been taken up installing a network system for a friend. The picture shows the cabinet with some of the components installed. The finished installation has covers over all the wiring!

I have also been out and about. Last weekend I went up to see an old friend (Jane) from University days. Jane has had a couple of health issues recently so I went up with another friend from that era (Faith), staying with my parents before making a dash up to Yorkshire. The years just rolled away as we went out for lunch with Paul (Jane’s husband) and her mother. The photo shows Faith, me and Jane – it was a good day.

One consequence of the visit is that I have re-activated my Skype account (I usually use a SIP protocol for Voice over IP – VoIP) with the thought of using a webcam. Unfortunately the latest Linux version of Skype is a bit buggy, and my Windows version (Win2K) isn’t compatible with the web cam, so it is either video – but no sound on Linux, or sound with no video on Windows!

Last week I was back at Cranfield for another module of my Postgraduate course – this one on systems programming. The exam at the end was open book, although that didn’t make it any easier, however I think I have passed. The problem is both learning the syntax of a new language (Python – a scripting language) as well as analysing the problem to be solved and the program written. There is some coursework to do, but provided I pass the module, I shall be just 10 credits short of the PgDip. The module that would have given me that 10 credits has just been cancelled though, so it will be another few months before I can do another course. Meanwhile I have to see what topics might be suitable for the MSc project and dissertation, if I decide to go that route.

So back to work next week for the run up to the Christmas Holiday period! However it will be a short week for me as I have some more ECP on Thursday and Friday.

So on that note – Onwards and Upwards.

Tags: Social

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It is a typical cold November day, and just back from the moving service at our local church. This is a service that is usually very well attended (probably more than any other) and today was no exception, with an Honour Guard for a local girl killed in Basra 2 years ago.

The last two weeks have been busy, with lots of meetings and travelling, and the odd hospital visit where minor treatment for the effects of GvHd have continued. My next ECP is scheduled for December, but my next haematology check up isn’t until the New Year! The meetings for work have gone well, and I have been doing one or two other bits and pieces, including the installation of a home/small office network, which has been interesting and challenging!

The first open fires of the season have been lit, and Winter Pimms is calling. However we seem to have missed out on bonfire night – all though the sky was illuminated from local displays, so the obligatory “Ooohs” and “Ahhhs” were made!

The recent heavy rain has brought most of the leaves off the trees, although they are still too wet to sweep up – maybe we will get some dry weather soon! However the wet weather did highlight the fact that the tyres on my car were pretty much worn out, so a quick trip to the garage, followed by a considerable lightening of the wallet soon fixed that!

So all in all, I am continuing Onwards and Upwards, but following on from the opening paragraph, for those that aren’t… “We will remember them”

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Having been (gently) taken to task about updating, it is time for an update on last week!

The ECP was uneventful, and becoming almost routine. However I was supposed to see the consultant dermatologist on Monday after the first session – only to find that the appointment had been moved. I was on a large kit – takes more blood over fewer cycles, but the risk that people with low blood pressure (like me) can feel faint. Fortunately I was OK! This was also the first session in the new day centre, on the second floor at St Thomas’s. Nicely fitted out – but the views aren’t as good. The old ward on the 12th floor is being refitted as a swine ‘flu isolation ward.

I had a meeting locally on Wednesday before heading back to Corsham for the rest of the week. I stayed up on Friday night before heading over towards Milton Keynes to visit Bletchley Park – home of the WW2 codebreakers. I have been before but this time I was in a group of like minded people and it was, as before, an excellent day out and highly recommended! Best of all, the ticket is valid for a year – and there is too much to see in one visit!

I hope you all remembered to put your clocks back on Sunday morning! We ‘celebrated’ with the first open fire of the season on Sunday afternoon – but it was good to wake up in twilight this morning!

Onwards and Upwards!

Tags: ECP, Social, Tech stuff

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Busy week again last week, but the highlight was last weekend when we traveled up to St Annes for a re-union with my flat mates, Martin, Tom and Jon, from University. Two medical students, a dental student and myself in first a Hall of Residence (where we met) then a University flat, and finally a privately rented house!

We have met up individually over the years,and kept in touch, but this was the first time all four of us had got together pretty much since we graduated. and with our other halves! I suppose one reason is that with children growing up, it has been difficult to co-ordinate a weekend away, but now they are grown up, there are fewer pressures.

It was a great weekend – the years rolled away, memories were revived and exploits re-lived, and we slipped into our old personas, but the nicest thing was that we talked about the intermediate times and the present, it wasn’t just nostalgia, and that to me is the sign of enduring friendship, and people I could (can and have) relied on when the going gets tough. And it was interesting to discuss how we saw each other in those days, and see how things have turned out. And far more that just un recherche du temps perdu!

And so the food was eaten (thank you Stephanie) and the wine flowed and we mellowed and chilled!

We drove back last night, and then today it was back to reality – or in my case up to St Thomas’s for another session of ECP!

So an excellent weekend, and one that we have resolved to repeat again in the not too distant future! guys and also Stephanie, Elaine, Carol and Felicity!

Onwards and upwards!

Tags: Social

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The weather that is, not me! I have just realised (looking at the large number of comments) that it is nearly ten days since I last posted – fresh from the check up! I have continued to be busy at work, and weekends have been taken up with those jobs that tend to accumulate while away from home (either working or on holiday

I had another check up at Guy’s earlier this week, where GvHd is causing a minor specific problem, but it seems as if a topical immuno-suppressant should sort it out, with a review in a month’s time. However, while I was buying my lunch in M&S on Wednesday, I bumped into Dr Kazmi, so although I hadn’t seen him at the haematology check up, we had a quick chat as we walked back to Guy’s.

Autumn seems well and truly upon us, the mornings are dark when I get up, and the heating in both my flat and at home has been switched on, and I suppose it is only two weeks until the clocks go back on Sunday 25th! Ah well, lighter mornings, darker evenings!

So that is pretty much it for the moment. Just looked at the clock and decided that it is time to pack up for the drive home!

Onwards and upwards!

Tags: GvHd

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I started back at work yesterday with a drive up to Corsham, and then drove back again for an early train trip to London, for both a haematology check up and a lung function test.

There was a small problem in that the appointment was on the hospital system, however the clinic wasn’t that busy, so I was soon in to have the customary armful of blood removed and in to see Dr Raj. They remain very pleased with my progress, and my next check up is now scheduled for 4 months! It would have been a longer interval still, but for the fact that I am still having the ECP, and while that is treating the skin and ffasciitis, it can occasionally cause a flare up of GvHd in other areas. I was also reminded that the chemo can predispose me towards other cancers, particular skin cancers, so I should be aware of that. (But in perspective, if it doubles the risk, then it doubles it from one in a very large number to 1 in a not such a large number. I also saw my favourite dietitian, Rachel, who noted that my weight is now just over 11Stone (70 Kg) and the strength of my grip is almost back to normal!

The lung function test was unremarkable, and the results looked good, although I didn’t have the comparison with previous tests to see what the trend is.

After leaving Guy’s I went back to Westminster for a meeting, and then travelled home – and I am now back in Corsham.

So a good day – and it seems that progress continues – Onwards and Upwards!

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We are now back in UK – seems hard to believe that it is over a week since I last posted!

The weekend in France proved a little damp, but by Monday the weather improved and we went on a trip to Perigeaux. We have been there before with Mark, but only as far as the Brico-Depot (French version of B&Q – even down to the store colours, so I suspect it is the same group ownership – Kingfisher?) but this time we travelled on to the town centre, a view is shown here.

We missed the initial turning but eventually found ourselves round in the older part of town by the museum.

Perigeaux has a Roman past, and one of the larger remaining buildings is a temple. The museum itself was closed, but we had a wander around the town, and eventually stopped for lunch at one of the pavement restaurants. The sun shone, the beer was cold, and we relaxed for a pleasant hour or two before having a walk round the town.

The streets round the town centre are largely residential, and very pleasant to walk round – we saw this fountain in the middle of a large square, and then walking down the road came across this remarkable station building – very grand!
We were amused to see this faded advertisement on one of the walls – a memory of times past when Gauloises were de rigeur – although we noted that the French have not embraced an anti-smoking culture as fervently as the UK!

Finally we set off for the house – where the pool waited invitingly!

Tuesday was another glorious day, and after a little bit of shopping for things to bring back, was spent at the pool side before starting to pack and the house closing up routine.

We were up early on Wednesday morning to complete the closing up, and left at 8:15 for the tip up to Caen for the ferry back. We stooped for a picnic at one of the toll road rest areas, and arrived at Caen in comfortable time, although we decided not to bother stopping off at the big Carrefour Supermarche just outside Caen.

The final highlight of the trip was dinner in the a la carte restaurant on the ferry, which represented excellent value for money for a really good meal that made a perfect end to the holiday – and passed a good three of the six hour crossing! We arrived 15 minutes early at Portsmouth, at 21:15 – 45 minutes later we were unpacking the car at home. A great ten days!

Of course life doesn’t stand still while away, so the last couple of days have been spent catching up, and I will be travelling back to Corsham tomorrow evening to start back at work, refreshed, on Monday!

Onwards and upwards

Tags: Holiday

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And it is pleuting as I type, in fact this afternoon we have had a little lightning and quite a lot of thunder! However yesterday, although starting off a little overcast soon brightened up into a glorious warm afternoon, I started off mowing the lawn on the ‘big boys toy’ and while I was completing that the sun came out, the skies cleared and the pool, now an inviting 26C was used in between sessions of topping up the sun tan, refilling the wine glass and eating a few nibbles on the patio – absolutely idyllic!
We finished the afternoon off with dinner out on the patio until the temperature dropped just before sunset, when we retired indoors in front of the woodburner. Just what was required!

However the forecast for tomorrow and the next couple of days are not so good with mixed cloud and rain, so I think it is probably time to shut down the pool heating as I expect we will be out and about rather than sitting in the garden.
I have added a couple of photos from the Domme visit on Wednesday.
Onwards and upwards!

Tags: Holiday

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We had a very pleasant crossing on the fast catamaran on Sunday, the channel almost like a millpond, and warm sunshine, which followed us all the way down to the northern tip of the Dordogne, just south of Limoges. We arrived just in time to see a spectacular sunset, as we opened up the house and sorted ourselves out.

Monday was a little overcast, but we started getting the pool ready (it needed a bit of a clean) and some shopping – the prices are a bit of a shock, given the weakness of the pound, although in terms of euros, not a lot higher than when we were here 18 months ago.
Yesterday started off very damp, with some showers, but the sun came out in the afternoon, and the pool looked very inviting, although not quite warm enough.
The clear skies lead to a cool evening – just the encouragement we needed to light the fire!

And today was still looking a bit overcast, so we headed south to the medieval city of Domme, perched high in the hills overlooking the Dordogne itself. The sun came out during the journey, and we arrived in warm summer temperatures – just right for sitting outside a brasserie for lunch! That was followed by a stroll round the town, with its spectacular views, and a trip to the caves in the hill that supports the town.

The forecast tomorrow and Friday is for better weather, and the pool should be up to temperature – but regardless of the weather, its just great to be having a break! Thanks again to Sue and Mark!

Onwards and Upwards!

Tags: Holiday

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