Wednesday 21 June 2006 – Physiotherapy #6

More of the same with regards to exercise today – I managed to squeeze a few more minutes in on the rower and put more into the lateral and bicep raises with loose weights. I have been promised a home exercise plan for next week.

I went to see Tracey Hair the other chest clinic nurse who was involved with my case from an early stage. I cannot find words to express how good the support these two nurses have given me this time around, they have been really good and do not deserve the shite aimed at them by a consultant in my presence as I sat in their office He sounded off in front of me about another patient and slagged off the hospital and the chest clinic department – if I knew his name I would print it here, he was so unprofessional, whatever his beef!

My only regret is that I never said anything at the time for fear of making matter worse for the staff I have a great deal of respect for.

Friday 16 June 2006 – Physiotherapy #5

Another scorcher of a day and another good workout: its just like being at the gym, but for geriatrics and invalids.

After gym I spoke to one of the chest clinic nurses, Tracey Vein, who was over the moon with my results from Tuesday. I will be glad for all the right reasons if I never see the chest clinic staff again, but if I ever need them I know they are there for me and countless others – they do an excellent job.

Wednesday 14 June 2006 – Physiotherapy #4

A really good workout after yesterday’s good news: instead of getting fitter to fight what ever treatment may have come I am now getting fitter to get on with living.

Physiotherapists have told me not to overdo it and again to rest between exercises: I will be getting a home exercise plan this Friday.

Tuesday 13 June 2006 – MRI scan and Results

CURED………….

I could not have had better news today, not only cured but also no further treatment required. I am now back to 3 monthly checks at the hospital.

I had forgotten how difficult it can be to get comfortable on the MRI scanner bed and remain still for 20 minutes but it was done and the results proved to be good.

After the scan we had a longer wait than expected to see the Consultant but when I did it was with one of the main Consultants involved with my original case 14 years ago.

He was amazed the cancer had come back after such a long time, not breaking the record, but he did say he would have to rewrite his papers on the cancer type [MFH]
I’d had because it should not have returned at all!

I cannot tell you the relief felt not only by me, even though I still don’t think it has sunk in yet, but also with my family and those that have been in touch throughout my illness.

Thank you to all those who have helped me through this illness especially the majority of exceptional people within the NHS who know how to make a patient feel cared for.

Just the next big hurdle to get over then – return to work, Yuk!

MFH - Malignant fibrous histiocytoma This is a very rare type of bone cancer that occurs in adults. It is usually found in the arms or legs, especially around the knee joint.

Monday 12 June 2006 – Eve of results

Not much to report on health wise, other than I have an MRI scan tomorrow and the results and decision on what course of treatment, if any, I will need next.

I have been a bit tetchier today and have probably moaned more about nothing more often as the day has wore on: I guess we all need to get over tomorrows hurdle: once out of the way things will only get better, if all’s well with the scans.

Friday 9 June 2006 – Physiotherapy #3

Exercising on what must be one of the hottest days of the year so far is not recommended, but I did and I needed it. I added a few more exercises to the routine that involved using the muscles in my back – no affect on the scar tissue.

Tip: Do not peddle too hard on the exercise bike, the Physio thinks you are finding it too easy and ups the resistance!

Wednesday 7 June 2006 – Physiotherapy #2

An extremely hot day to be exercising but it was well worth going for this second session: with the exception of one piece of apparatus I was able to push myself slightly further than the last, but only just.

Tip: To avoid stretching around a scar tissue use cream [E45] to keep the skin supple – I hadn’t; Ouch!

Tuesday 6 June 2006 – Choked

This has probably got nothing to do with my illness at all but last night I had one of the weirdest experiences imaginable: in the early hours of this morning I awoke to find myself choking, literally.

I was fighting for breathe and thought my number was finally up. My partner, whom I managed to awake from a deep sleep, thumped me on the back the requisite number of times to remove whatever was apparently obstructing my airways; if indeed anything really was.

It was so scary.

I have no idea if this incident was related to my recent lung operation, although I doubt it, I am now left wondering did I swallow a spider in my sleep?

Friday 2 June 2006 – Physiotherapy #1

This, the first of 16 sessions, saw me using the exercise bike; treadmill; cross-trainer plus many other physical activities – the first time in a long while, and I don’t just mean since my operation.

I used to frequent a Gym many moons ago and this made me realise why I used to do it – I had so much fun whilst getting a serious workout.

I will never get to the level of fitness I had all those years ago due to time constraints and other commitments but it has got me to thinking that I must do something physical again even if only moderately.

No adverse effect on my operational scar and the breathing was much easier than I had anticipated – on the mend now.

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