Check-up #2

Just back from the hospital and official cancer check-up #2. The doc's were running late so I had to endure a 90 minute wait in a sweltering waiting room hoachin' with OAP's.
Just like during my cancer treatment, I was the youngest in there by atleast 20 years, and I'm no spring chicken! Is this a sign of what we can all expect in old age - if it doesn't get you when you're young it'll come knockin' when you're about to enjoy your retirement - I hope I'm wrong.
Anyhoo, sacrificed the usual claret which had been analysed by the time I was summoned to see the doc. Another junior, I haven't seen my specialist since the 'all clear'. He gave me a quick 'once over' and whipped around my glands (oooer missus). My bloods were normal and I left with another all clear, 'fine figure of a man, you're never 43', etc, etc...........
Next check-up in September. Back to the painting........
......and the golf!!

'Satisfactory'

That was it, one word from the receptionist when I rang up the quacks yesterday to enquire about the blood test results............. 'satisfactory'. That'll do me, I think. Then again, the only real way to test if the Hodge has returned is to biopsy any lumps, I don't have any of those either so lets not go there.
Next proper check-up at the hopital is in March.
So 'til then.......................

Owld Cow......

Off to the quacks this morning for a set of blood samples. Having already been down to Inverurie to handball over a tonne of firewood into the tranny van, I then dashed up the road to make the 10.20 appointment. Looking rather disheveled and with a bad case of bed-head, I was summoned by the nurse. She obviously took an instant dislike to the scruff before her. She gave me that 'Matrons' eye, with a look to suggest I was one of our newly welcomed (ahem!) Eastern block cousins, recently arrived to fleece our already overburdened NHS, but after exchanging a few pleasantries it became obvious to her that I am indeed a Geordie which did little to soften the dogs arse pucker around her lips. Her contempt eased the choice of implement as she selected the largest needle she could find - not much smaller than a knitting needle, and was soon jabbing at my quickly retreating veins. I sacrificed four tubes of blood before the needle was sloooowly removed, yep it hurt like hell (soft shite). With a surly 'that's you' I was on my way home to stack the timber I procured earlier.
Results on Monday.........

Worried

I've had this bloody cold and chest infection for over 6 weeks, even had a course of anti-biotics to little effect. More ominously, in recent weeks I've felt a little 'gladular' particularly around by biopsy site and also more tired than usual - pretty much how I felt when I was diagnosed!!! And get this, the hair on my face which stopped growing when I had the radiotherapy has stopped growing again! Hope this is just some sort of radiotherapy flashback and nowt more serious.

So to be on the safe side, I'll be off to the quacks when I get home from offshore on Wednesday for a full round of blood tests etc.........

Fingers crossed!

Check-up #1

Back in hospital today for what I was expecting to be my first of four 3 monthly check-up's. After giving me an all too brief once over, the doc told me (after admiring my six pack) I was a fine figure of a man and the 3 monthly's would not be required!! Next check-up will be in March 2008. After refusing one of my six pack (he's a tea totaler) the doc sent me on my way for a blood test and then home.
By the way, the picture isn't me.......honest!
For some hilarity, check this Still game clip, sooooperb!
Weigh-in tomorrow, check the lardy-blog for details.

All Clear.....................again!

Blood test results are in and there's nowt going on inside me that there shouldn't be - woohoo!! The lump on the roof of my gob has also started to reduce in size, so hopefully that will be the end of that. Also the painkillers I'm now on are doing the business, can't feel a thing plus I'm sleeping 11 hours a night - bonus! Nothing more to add really, everything is looking positive again and long may it continue.
Next 3 monthly check-up with the hematologist - 2 weeks.

Tired arse..............

Arrived back home yesterday morning, just off nightshift so I had a quick couple of hours kip before my afternoon appointment at the quacks. My specialist had been in touch with the Doc to confirm my skin problems are related to the radiotherapy. Apparently the radio treatment endures for several months after the actual zapping!! The treatment has damaged the nerves in the vertebrae just below the skull which has caused the burning sensation on my arms back chest and head. Like the hair loss it could be permanent in some people, but as my hair has just started to grow back the skin problem should heal with time. My arms are no longer a problem but along the spine, across the top of my head and the left side of my dish are pretty bad just now.
I've been prescribed an unusual pain killer usually prescribed to epileptics and those recovering from shingles!! It is very strong and I have to be weaned onto it over 9 days - its biggest side effect is drowsiness which I proved last night. Took a pill just before bedtime and slept for 12 hours. Not bad after coming off 9 night shifts!
They will keep an eye on the lump in my mouth but will have a better idea when the blood test results come in - Monday.

Och ma heed!!

Struggled along offshore for over a week now with little respite from the skin burning. Although the pain in my arms has lessened the sensations have spread over the top of my turnip and down the left side of my face and appears to be getting more painful by the day.
The doc suspects a virus or nerve damage in the spinal cord and I'm being sent home tomorrow to give blood so they can rule out anything more sinister - more sick leave!!!. I've also developed a sore lump on the roof of my mouth which after a week shows no sign of shifting, might be just an ulcer but needs checking.

Hopefully it will all turn out to be nothing more than chemo/radio hangover and maybe doing a bit too much too soon! Felt knackered these last few days.

Stay tuned..................

Bronzer???

Just when things were on the up, something weird has happened.
Over a week ago I developed a small patch of sore skin near my left elbow. Over the week this has spread to cover both arms, halfway down my back and across the top of my chest and shoulders. This is becoming more painful each day and is now feels like bad sunburn - although it certainly isn't that as we've had no sun so far this summer and I haven't had my tits oot in years! But, there is nothing to see, no rash, redness, swelling, dry skin, nowt!! Very strange.
Went to the quacks on Friday, Doc S thinks it may be nerve damage within the spinal cord due to the radiotherapy. Why it is happening now and not during the treatment is a mystery. They will consult with my hematologist this week to try and shed some light.
Due back offshore on Wednesday, not too sure how long I'll last if this keeps up or gets worse!!
Don't forget, the lard-arse challenge starts tomorrow - bronzer permitting.

Been Graftin'

From the very start of this Hodgkin's nightmare, I'd always planned to return to work in June. And that's exactly what happened - albeit on light duties and only for a week. Nearly didn't make it though, unbeknown to me, my offshore survival had expired in May and there was some hurried string pulling going on behind the scenes to ensure I was booked on a refresher the day before I was due offshore. Also had the not so small matter of getting through the company medical and convincing the doc I was up to the task. Successfully passed the medical on Monday, got through the survival refresher on Tuesday, made it offshore on Wednesday. An easy week of paper shuffling and now back at home for a couple of weeks leave - you can't buy a job like this'un!!

The Hodge blog will soon be taking a back seat to my Lard Arse blog which I will be starting this Monday. I'll now only update this blog with details of my future check-ups and any scan results.
If you've been a regular reader, thanks for the interest and I hope my experiences have helped and will continue to help future sufferers.

My next challenge is to lose about four stones of blubber in a year - fellow dieters go here.
Everyone else, get back to work..............................

'There goes my hero
Watch him as he goes'