Category Archives: hospitals

mammogram 2023

25 Tuesday Apr 2023

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mammogram 2023

Ouchie time again. I got on the programa mamograma back in March, expecting to get a call sometime later this year (since my previous mammogram had been in August 2021). But then suddenly there I was yesterday at way-too-early o’clock ready to get my boobs smashed and hope for the best. And basically that’s what they told me. That if I don’t hear back from them in the next 2 weeks that means I’m okay. So it’s like a no news is good news situation, but waiting for nothing bad to happen really isn’t one of my virtues (what? me worry??). Anyhow, fingers crossed as usual.

mission aborted

12 Wednesday Apr 2023

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mission aborted

Well fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck and fuck again. It all seemed to be going so smoothly. After yesterday’s prep with the SOLUCIÓN EVACUANTE I felt ready to go and so it was off to the hospital. I was quite surprised to discover they were going to totally knock me out for the procedure (on previous occasions I was just given a light sedative). But in went the needle, in went the probe and then suddenly I was awake again. At first I thought, hey that was a piece of cake. But then I got the news. That I was going to have to do it all over again. Why? Because of “poor preparation”. I tell ya, I almost cried. But the nurse was actually lovely and when I explained that I did everything I was supposed to do, followed all the instructions, just like other times, she said that sometimes it happens.

For the record. I did the low-residue diet for three days. And on the day before the procedure I stuck to only clear liquids until the evening when I started with the dread SOLUCIÓN EVACUANTE. Five hours later that was (finally) done. I had a bit more water and went to bed. Woke up parched but wasn’t allowed to drink before the procedure so I didn’t. I’m telling you I DID EVERYTHING RIGHT. So why didn’t it work this time? Honestly I felt like they were judging me, thinking I probably cheated on the diet or didn’t take all of the solution. Other than the kind nurse.

So now… I don’t know. I’ve sent an email to the oncology secretary to explain the report they will be receiving shortly. And also to ask what happens now? Not sure if they will just reschedule another colonoscopy or if I will have to go in and see the oncologist again first. I feel so deflated now. Kind nurse told me this really isn’t that unusual and most likely when I redo it they will either give me a different prep solution or have me go on liquids for 2-3 days instead of just one. Or both. None of which I am looking forward to. Has this ever happened to you?

colonoscopy prep time (again)

10 Monday Apr 2023

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colonoscopy prep 23

Since I’m apparently not allowed any more scans the oncologist agreed last September that I could have another colonoscopy as my last one was five years ago. It was supposed to be in February but then I finally heard from the hospital three weeks ago and they told me the appointment was for March 22nd – the day of Morcilla’s operation! So I asked if they could reschedule and now it will be this Wednesday at noon. Eep.

I’ve been on the low residual diet since Saturday and tomorrow it will be clear liquids all day until I have to start with the dread SOLUCIÓN EVACUANTE at 6 pm. To be honest, I’m a bit worried about this one because I’ve been having a fair bit of abdominal pain and general discomfort lately but was so caught up with all the cat trauma of the past month that I couldn’t allow myself to think about it much. So I guess it’s a good thing I’m getting the test done and hopefully it will turn out fine and put my mind at rest. Fingers crossed! 🤞

programa mamograma

06 Monday Mar 2023

Posted by in cancer, health & happiness, hospitals, sevilla

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programa mamograma

There’s a preventative breast cancer programme here that keeps you on file to remind you to get a mammogram every two years. Apparently I was taken off the list when I didn’t reply to the notice they sent me in 2010. I don’t even remember this but as I had just come through second chemo and was getting PET scans every six months I guess I didn’t think it was necessary? Well apparently… wrong! Anyhow, had a mammogram done in August 2021 via my GP and today I called up the programme to get back on the list and… yes! I will be advised about the next mammogram which will be scheduled for August 2023. These fuckers are never fun, but neither is cancer, take it from me. So if you are able to do so, make sure you get screened every two years. Take care xx

patched up

26 Monday Dec 2022

Posted by in casa azahar, christmas, hospitals, sevilla

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patched up

Well this was a Christmas to remember. Yesterday morning I was having coffee at my desk when Peter walked into the living room with a hand over his left eye. I asked what happened and he removed his hand and OMG the eye was BLEEDING. He had bashed it on the corner of his bedroom night stand while bending over to pick something up off the floor. I got him to lie down with a damp cloth over his eye while I got ready and then we were in a taxi on our way to Emergency. I wasn’t sure what to expect when we got there because I knew that, like everywhere, Andalucía is having problems with hospital staff shortages. But in fact it was quite orderly and efficient. It was also quite busy, with lots of people coughing in the waiting room. Thank goodness we still have a mask mandate here (for hospitals, pharmacies and public transit) though most people in the room were wearing sloppy fitting surgical masks. We had put on the FFP2 ones I bought for travelling so at least we were a bit better protected.

Anyhow, after a while we got in to see the ophthalmologist on duty (who looked about 14 years old) and after a primary examination he put some drops in Peter’s eye to dilate the pupil and we waited another hour. By this time there was a different doctor on duty (who looked at least 30) and she did some tests to check for any retina or other damage and, other than half his eyeball being blood red, he should be okay. Then we had to find a pharmacy that was open on Christmas Day to fill his prescriptions and stopped for some restorative jamón and sherry on the way home. Peter has to put antibiotic cream in his eye 4 times a day, “tears” every hour and a lubricant cream overnight (with an eye patch). He also needs to keep an eye on (sorry) any changes in his vision, but the doctor thinks he will be fine. What a day! But of course it could have been much worse so it did end up being a Happy Christmas.