It is alas time to reopen this blog. The date is 8 NOvember 2021. The first thing to say is that along with Ev we have had Covid. It hit me shortly after we had been given our booster jabs. I had what felt like a heavy cold(AKA Man Flu). Foolishly I didn't get tested. Ev caught it off me and did take a test which was positive. I went the following day and was also positively tested. We both had to isolate for 10 days. I got off fairly lightly compared with Ev who suffered with a dreadful cough. On the upside it stopped us getting pestered by trick or treat. This young Lad knocked on the door. Ev said you can't come in here. He asked did we have Covid? Yes was the reply. The Kid legged it and we weren't bothered after that. In the meantime though I had ben complaining for some time about being occasionally breathless. I managed to get a face to face appointment with a GP who sent me for an ECG, Chest X ray and Blood Test. ECG revealed some irregular breathing, the chest X ray reckons I have had a large hernia which the medics think is a legacy of the operation I had in 2009. The BloodTests have given rise to first of all Anaemia. This is probably caused by lack of Iron. The GP thought it urgent enough to send a request to the Gastro Unit at Royal Derby Hospital and sure enough I have got an appointment for this coming Wednesday. They are keeping their options open including testing for cancer. One thing I have done over the years is keep a check on my weight which has been constant around the 12 stone(148 pounds). This could involve Gastrocopy, Endoscopy and CT Scan. I am hopeful that before all this starts I can have a conversation with somebody at the Unit to see what their plans are. I am also required to take a poo test. If that were all I wouldn't get too uptight but the blood test also revealed possible prostate problems. I need to take a test on 23 November. Again there is a possibilty of cancer. The GP's view is that the Prostate thing may be serious maybe not but she thinks it's a good thing to test for the ooh nasties first and I am sure she is right. The other possibilty is Diabetes. As Men get older(I am 80) there is a tendency to need to get up in the night for a wee. In my case it's 2 times which means clearly that I am not fully emptying my bladder. This can lead to urine infection. So there you are. It's 12 years since the operation that saved my life so I have done better than many. On the positive side the GP told me I looked in better shape than many of the 80 plus year oldds she sees in surgery. I am trying to be positive and even though I am not looking forward to the next couple of months I remanin optimistic that we can go on holiday next year. My next report will be after I have seen the medics at Royal Derby later this week.

Well, the time has come for me to close this blog. I have had some tests at Derby Royal Hospital and I am delighted to say I am all clear. Twas 4 August 2009 that I was operated on. The NHS only reviews you for 5 years after such a lengthy procedure. Thus I am done though I do have an open appointment at Derby should trouble flare up again. I was reading some stuff from cancer UK who tell that the numbers who have this form of cancer and survive 5 years run to 12.5%. To say I am lucky is an understatement. Thanks to all of you who have followed this blog. Knowing I have such support has been a huge morale booster for me. Right at the beginning of this blog I remember saying that I woul post truthfully about how I was feeling. This certainly helped because when any of you called there were no awkward how is it going moments. I wouldn't wish what happened to me on anyone else but if any of you have the misfortune to fall ill I recommend you start a blog. I found it cathartic. I did write to both the Consultant who operated on me and the Oncologist who kept an eye on me. I know you could say they were just doing their jobs but hey without them I wouldn't be here. Thank you all once again.

The Gastroscopy has been done and the good news is that nothing untoward has been found. The people at Derby Royal were very good. The letter about the appointment said we would be at the Hospital for about 3 hours and that was about right. Despite heavy hints, I did assure the nurse that I wanted some sedation and it worked a treat. Thery have to give you warnings about this that and the other but as I sit typing this some 3 hours after the event I feel fine. The results of the test will be ent to the Oncology Department and I may or may not hear from them. In the meantime yahoo and thanks for all your support.

One or two worries have emerged over recent days. When I first went to the GP back in 2009 it was because I had tried eating a tomato and it stung in the gullet area on its way to my stomach. To coin a cliche the rest was history. Just before Easter I was eating an orange when I gtot the same sensation;not very pleasant. I had also noticed one or two swallowing issues or rather that food was taking a loger time to digest. As I recorded earlier the good Dr. Cave had sent my details to Derby Royal and that Hospital had given me an open appointment. I rang the Hospital and they suggested an Endoscopy but that I would need a referral from my GP. Unfortunately Easter intervened but Ev managed to persuade the Surgery to give me an urgent appointment. To be fair to the GP he took what I said seriously and made a same day referral. I am to have a Gastroscopy on Tuesday 6 May. This will be done with a spray and a sedative. I trust there won't be a repeat where they tried doing this on the Isle of Wight because that ended in failure. I must not think negative thoughts because if there is a problem it needs sorting but I won't deny I am not exactly looking forward to this. To add to the uncertainty I had my first acid attack in about a year. On the plus side I have not lost any weight. I shall post the results of the Gastroscopy on here as sonn as I know anything. As before I believe there is no point in speculating. Finally the appointment with the scalp Dopctor has been postponed till 8 May. Certainly I am getting value out of the NHS.

I am very much aware that it has been some time since my last update. Life has been more than a little hectic but here goes. I have been using the creams as supplied by the chemist. Certainly my head feels a lot better and it appears to look better also. I am due to see the specialist again on 24 April and I promise to report back on here. My weight remains constant at about 13 stone 5 pounds. I am also continuing to be able to lead a full life. Tuesdays and Thursdays I go to Hospital Radio and a Community Radio Station respectively. One allows me to pick the music the other gives me a playlist. I do though miss the interviews I was able to do whilst on the Isle of Wight. Wednesdays sees Ev and I being with a walking for health group. Apart from meeting people, we are able to see some of the very nice Derbyshire countryside. Additionally we have joined U3A. Ev is taking part in a creative writing group whilst yours truly has joined a Shakespeare group plus a Jazz Appreciation class. All this plus now spring is here we can visit the caravan at Topcliffe. Christopher and Gillian bought tickets for Ev's birthday for us to go and see Tom Paxton and Janis Ian in concert in Birmingham. We both enjoyed it and Janis Ian's voice sounds as good as ever. Life could be a lot worse.

Latest News

Today I went to see a specialist about the spots on my head. The first thing was finding my way round Ilkeston Hospital. The specialist was thorough. I have Actinic Keratoses. It is not an uncommon condition and in most cases it is benign. However if you leave it alone it can cause skin problems including cancer. The good Doctor has prescribed some skin cream which I shall need to take twice a day for the next 4 weeks or so. Whilst this is happening my face may look a bit blotchy but it will all end well. I have to go back to see the Guy again in April. In the meantime the pills for an enlarged prostate seem to be working. There is no sign of the condition that started this blog rearing its ugly head. Finally a word of support for our friend Simon whose condition is poor.

Hello again

Firstly mny apologies for the long gap between posts.  There are various reasons for this but I had better start with health news.

Earlier this month I had my penultimate review with the Oncologist.  All was fine.  I had had to travel to the Island for that and Dr. Cave told me as from January she wouldn't be doing clinics there but instaed would be permanently Southampton based.  I shall therefore see her in August for the final check.  That will be my five years up and after that the NHS makes no guarantees. 

On other notes of health Ev persuaded me to see a Doctor about some spots on my head.  The GP told me that this was sun damage and though I didn't have skin cancer it would need treatment by a Dermatologist.  I am due to see someone about this on 30 January.  Without wanting to be a serial moaner I also mentioned that peeing could on occsions be difficult.  A few times I have wet my trousers due to spraying which is rather embarassing.  I had a blood test which showed up as cancer clear but I do have an enlarged prostate which is normal for someone of my age.  I have been given some tablets to take and need to go back to the GP in 6 months time.

Of bigger worry has been our move into our new home. We had an infestation of fleas(the previous owners had cats) and how shall I put it a lot of cleaning was required when we moved in.  Water started pouring through a light in the porch.  As a result we had to spend a lot more on moving in than we bargained for.

On top of all that we have had to put up with BT.  Honestly I have never come across such dreadful customer service.  Firstly we were left with neither a land line nor broadband for a month.  When we did get a service it was slow.  It's only really in the last week that I have been able to use the PC to access the Internet.  We are still fighting with them over an account from which payments were taken.  Obviously BT is too busy hoovering up sports contracts to provide its customers with a decent service.

Thus the gap between postings.  Plus for some reason the spell checker on this screen does not work so apologies for any errors.

Finally a mmerry christmas and a happy new year to all readers.