Category Archives: hospitals

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.

ct overload?

14 Wednesday Sep 2022

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

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onc sept 2022

I finally had my oncology revision re: the (extremely unpleasant) CT scan I had in June. Things have changed since I last had a physical appointment at the hospital – the last 2-3 have been by phone. So when I got there today I saw that the oncology waiting room is now in the hospital lobby. With their new system you enter your ID number into one of those machines back there and out pops your appointment number. Then you grab a seat and wait for your number to appear on the screen. It’s a bit of a hike to oncology from the front of the hospital, but oh well. Then I found out the consulting rooms are no longer in the old oncology department but along the hallway leading to it. Whatevs. I came prepared with a print out of my last CT scan translated into English and with my questions ready.

What can I say? I am sure there must be some kind and empathetic oncologists out there but in my (now vasty) experience, I can say I have only met one, and she was a friend of a friend so perhaps that’s why she was nice to me. Anyhow, this guy today was both abrupt and dismissive but I held my ground and said “I have a few questions!” after he told me everything was fine and there was nothing to worry about. Honestly, if looks could kill.

He did tell me one thing that took me aback (though I should have known or at least guessed). Apparently since 2008, between PETs and CTs, I have had about 24 scans (!!) and he said at that rate I could have serious problems in 20 years after so much radiation. Well, there’s no way I’m going to see 85 anyhow, but I took his point and asked… “so now what?” and we agreed to another colonoscopy in February (last one was Feb 2020). And THEN if there is anything dodgy he may rethink the CT scan. So now I’m waiting for the colonoscopy appointment and more blood tests.

As for The PAIN I’ve been having since mid-August… Mr Empathy gave my belly a few pokes and prods, told me to lose weight and said I should get back in touch if it gets worse.

lemony sunrise

12 Friday Aug 2022

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lemony sunrise

Had to get up at stupid o’clock for blood tests (had booked an 8.15 appointment at my health centre without thinking, duh). Anyhow, was out and about trying to find a positive slant on having to be out and about at that hour and then saw this lovely lemony sunrise and thought, yep, that’ll do. 🙂

Should have actually done this back in June after my last CT scan but when I saw the results were normal(ish) I reckoned there was no rush. This is one good new thing, that I can get my test results online now and don’t have to wait to see the oncologist. Then I get the blood tests done and, once those results are in, I send an email to the oncology department requesting a follow-up appointment. The last couple of times they have been phone appointments, which is fine by me. So unless I’ve missed something scary in my scan results, or there’s something dodgy with the blood tests, it will probably carry on like before with another CT scan six months from the last one. We shall see.