The Furry Monkey

07 august 05

Can you believe it's August already? No, me neither....! Soon it'll be Christmas...

So what did we do today? Well we thought we'd take a ride down to rural Hampshire and have a go at "Pay and Play". No it's nothing rude honest. You pay and play, simple as that.

It's a huge forest with ditches and bomb holes and hills and mud.....great fun! Of course you stay in the car or else we wouldn't be able to do it. It's an off road centre and is loads of fun. You just gotta try it!

It is something everyone can have fun with and we are now a member of the Club that runs it so will be going again real soon.

We even saw the steam train we went on earlier in the year as it borders the grounds - a real sight to see and one we hope to go on again sometime.

In a couple of days time it will be my Dr C review again. I've had more pains which I'd like to ask about and the results of the previous tests so I'll let you all know how it goes later on.

Take care everyone and enjoy every day! Life is a challenge and we have to make the best of what we have....have fun now!!!!

09 august 05
lymphoma clinic, middlesex hospital

It's Tuesday Tumour Day again.I had a horrible feeling that transport wasn't going to arrive....however they proved me wrong (luckily for me!).

We had to collect another lady so off we went to Englefield Green only to find out that she wasn't going for some reason. What a waste of time, the drivers, mine, everyone really. It happens though but it must be so annoying for the drivers to waste time (and petrol!) to go where they are not required. Communication is seriously lacking in the NHS that's for sure. It could save so much money if only the communication lines were right. Anyway enough of my soapbox, I'll get off it now.

It was a very hot day but we had the windows open and got on our way. The driver was very chatty and we talked about all sorts of things on the journey, it makes it go so quickly which is good as sometimes the journey is a long one. It's easier to talk to each other in the car than the ambulances, they are more noisy.

In no time at all we were there and saying goodbye. I was quite early but went in anyway. I said "Hello" in reply to the nurses Hello only to find she was talking to the person behind me who she proceeded to book in instead of me who was first in the queue! Annoying or what. I could say other things here but what's the point. Talk about feeling invisible.

So I then sat down and started to read my book after waiting for 1/2 hour. It was past my appointment time and there wasn't many in there today which was strange. Why was it running so late with so few patients.

After waiting another 1/2 hour I saw what I thought was my huge file go in with the Doc. No other patient went in and 1/2 hour after taking it in my name was called. It's very tiring waiting around but at last I was in there!

He asked about my bone pain and said I'd probably have it forever (my thought as well) and about any other problems. I mentioned the lump on the leg which he looked at (I said if he'd like to try and get the compression stocking off go ahead and look), and also a problem with my right elbow in that sometimes I can't even lift it on it's own I have to use my other arm. It also hurts to lean on it. He said it was bruised after examining it and that if it doesn't go to come back and see him.

Next was the blood results, he turned the screen so I could see it clearly. He said anything highlighted in yellow is not normal. Then I saw my results, a lot of them were yellow. He said although they were abnormal (no surprise there) it was not panic time. It just means that they are not within normal levels. They would check them again next time. He gave me a form (new design - whoa!) for the blood clinic. I could either come a week before my next appointment (a long way just for a blood test) - I asked if I could go locally but the results don't always get through apparently [again no surprise] - or I could go now and hope they don't change too much.

Option 2 sounded good to me so after a few more questions and answers I dragged my weary bones across the hospital, out the other side, across the road and into another building for the blood test. I had a few stops along the way as I'm aching and weary lately.

Sitting down in the blood clinic on a proper chair was wonderful and also gave me a chance to dry out as it had started raining half way there. It was too far to go back so I thought I might as well keep going.

The buzzer hailed me into next door and in I went. Sitting down again, the phlebotomist asked me my name and date of birth. Looking at me she said "oh no, not you". Such a lovely reaction huh!

She remembered me from before when she had problems and said she'd start on my left arm. She thought she'd found a vein but after much prodding (amazing that I can now look whilst she does it - for most of the time - then I have to look away when it gets too deep). On to the right arm next, nothing. Worryingly she then looks at my hand and says "we don't normally do this but would you mind if I went in your knuckles?" and I replied "if you think you can find it, go ahead, I'll flinch but that's normal with me".

Two plasters later she'd got the blood from the knuckles. Half way through the guy taking blood next to us came a bit close and she raised her voice to him and I followed with "if you stop the blood I'll have to hit you as well" we were only joking (I think!) but it's so hard to get blood from my poor ruined veins that none of us like it (them and me)!

So then it was back to transport and waiting for the ride home. This time it was an ambulance. Only me and another lady going to Ashford so I'd be last home. The driver asked if we knew the way and we both replied "yes we're old hands at this" and she said "good, I've only been here twice and each time I've taken the long way out. There must be a shorter way".

Don't worry, we'll show you the way - there are so many variations out of London. So we took what is usually the better route. After getting on to the M25 we sadly went past the slip road to Egham and straight round to Ashford so instead of being dropped off first (which would've made more sense) I was dropped last. I was dead on my feet when I got in and within 20 minutes was asleep! It doesn't take much to wear me out now.

Still I'm "as good as I can be" at the moment so that'll do me fine - I wish my legs were better but I don't think there's much hope of that happening. Still I'm here to tell the tale as they say and I've lost so many friends to this awful disease lately (and worryingly lots of recurrences as well) that we should be grateful for what we have and I am (although I have the occasional moan about things but don't we all in life?!?!?).

16 august 05
dental clinic, ashford hospital

Back at Ashford Hospital again. We're really early so have a salad and drink for lunch before going in to wait. The food at Ashford is really nice and tasty.

We then took a slow amble to the Dental Clinic, using the lift on the way. It akways smells of smoke though, not sure why. It's amazing how many Doctors and Nurses smoke - they of all people shouldn't as they tell everyone else not to.

Talking of which when I went in she asked me I smoked, a definite NO was the answer. She confirmed I have now got Lichen Planus which is not curable, might get worse, could spread, and also could (a minority) turn to mouth cancer. I would have to be checked every three months for five years, then once a year thereafter. I said I was used to that and she asked where else I went. We chatted about NHL and she said it was very rare to get it in the bones. I sure know that!

I've got a prescription for some steroid cream but it's only to be used on an SOS basis. I already know about the spicy food avoidance, it makes me cry the slightest spices or even pepper.

At the moment I've got lots of cuts, ulcers and cracks on my tongue as well. I'm to keep an eye on my head and eyes as it can spread there as well as other places on the body. My head is really sore at the moment and it hurts so I ask Mum to check it for me to make sure there's nothing there. Better to check these things isn't it "with my past history" as they all tell me.

17 august 05
Mum's birthday!

We've been racking our brains trying to think what to get Mum for her birthday and had a stroke of luck the other day. She mentioned some earrings she liked when we were out so I got them for John (he's not much good at getting pressies!) and then I saw some gorgeous plants in a magazine - never seen any like them before - and Mum said they were unusual so I ordered them online for her. Phew......saved by the bell there.

John had taken the day off and we asked Mum a couple of days ago where she'd like to go and she couldn't think of anything. Then she said "back to that place we went in when we came back from the coast" - "where is it then?" I asked and she didn't know.

Eventually she said it was in Haslemere. In actual fact it was a lot further than that when we got there but at least we found it and had a wonderful meal. Auntie Rita and Henry came with us so we had a little party which was nice. They even put a candle in her pudding and lit it which was a lovely thought.

On the way home we went to a lovely garden centre, Henry and John stayed in the car and I came out soon afterwards as Mum and Auntie Rita had a slow wander through plant sections which don't do much for me! I was also aching so went back to the car.

An evening of being a couch potato was easy to do!

19 august 05
dental clinic, community hospital

Another dental appointment but nothing major. Just sorting something out which was easy and didn't involve needles so I was pleased.

We waited at the hospital as John was going to pick us up when he'd finished work. Luckily he finished at 4pm so we didn't have too long to wait.

19 august 05
a&e again but NOT for me!

Arriving home John went in his room and then called us in "I think there's something wrong with Domi - come and have a look". So we all traipsed in and she was not moving around, she had problems walking and meowed when she did.

I called the Vets and asked if they had any emergency appointments "Oh no" was the reply "how urgent is urgent?". They'd had quite a few and it was late. She said "if you can come now we'll wait and see her". Shoes back on and off we went with Domi in her box. I hoped it was nothing major as neither of them are insured now as we couldn't afford it anymore.

It wasn't too bad getting through the traffic, Staines is notorious for bad traffic so we did well. We were met by Jackie the receptionist and the vet. We know Jackie well and our friend across the road has taken one of her cats as he would do better as an only cat - which he is! He's a lovely fella and very similar in character to Bertie.

The vet checked Domi all over, her eyes, ears, mouth and heart. Then checked her legs. She had her mouth open but no noise was coming out bless. She tried to get away but couldn't. At least she is so placid and mild that she doesn't lash out. He said she's calm.

He then told us she'd broken her cruciate ligament in her leg. Also that she may need an operation and it would cost between £600-£700 AARRGHHH!! She would get arthritis in her leg and would always have a limp.

So we don't know how she did it and never will. He gave her medicine to ease the inflammation and pain. It cost £31 almost just for that. As anyone with pets know though you pay it where you can.

We have to see how she goes and then see if we can get the money somehow. All donations gratefully received! :-)

Poor Domi...... :-(