The Furry Monkey

01 APRIL 2005
PODIATRY CLINIC

No it's not April Fool. I have to go to the Podiatry Clinic now as I've been told it's better if someone else cuts my toe nails with the Lymphoedema in the legs. It's nice, but would be better if they could paint my toenails as well! LOL!!

I haven't painted them since I was told not to as it's easier to see what's going on if I don't. It's not as if I'm going to be wearing strappy sandals now as I have problems with normal shoes let alone anything else.

I have a recurring dream of having some nice pink, glittery high heeled sandals!! Sort of Oscar Awards type ones you know. A girl can dream can't she.

 

04 APRil 2005
royal london homeopathic hospital, dr finnegan

Another ride in hospital transport (the RLHH use lovely cars though!) to the hospital in London. It's having a major makeover of it's own so is in portacabins but you wouldn't know it. They are very well done and include everything a normal building has. Including Doctors who run late!!! ;-)

I've been given another remedy to try after having a chat about problems I've been experiencing. He looked in my mouth at the sore areas and said he might have something that will help it.

Waiting in the Pharmacy I was amazed at the amount of people who don't pay anything and wonder how they do it! I wish I could. The cost of cancer is not just what it does to your body but also to your pocket as well.

 

06 april 2005
dentist appointment

I've still not heard from the hospital about a date for my appointment. It seems to be ages but my Dentist told me it could take six weeks to get an appointment. I wonder how long it takes to wait for the actual appointment after that.

So I had my checkup and things seem to be fine although there is a concern about a couple of back teeth. I grind my teeth, specially in my sleep. In fact at the Relaxation Class the other day I realised that I hold a lot of tension in my mouth area and must learn to stop it. It's not easy but I'm trying. Honestly.

 

12 april 2005
the middlesex hospital, lymphoma clinic and
lymphoedema clinic

Two appointments for the price of one! It makes life easier. I was collected early by a lovely guy called Craig and off we went. We had a few others to collect, one from Ashford, one from Egham and one from Molesey. The Egham one wasn't there (this is where money is wasted in the NHS, patients who are not there or whose appointment has been cancelled but transport not informed).

The other two were and we had to call in to Charring Cross (good job the other person wasn't there or else that was another jounrey to the Royal Marsden).

I took my place in a crowded waiting room, it seemed there was only Dr C and her registrar working. A lot of people to see. Soon it was my turn and I went to the consulting room.

She asked if there were any problems and I mentioned the lump on my leg which had occurred in the last week. Also the lumps on my neck that come and go. As long as they go that is fine. She checked my neck, arms, chest, groin and legs. Everything was fine.

She asked me to have x-rays and come back to her with them so off I trundled to the x-ray department. They asked me if I'd had x-rays before "oh yes" I replied, "oh are you an expert?" they asked. "No, just had lots of x-rays!!".

There was a student nurse in there learning the trade. I also learnt what is distal and proximal from her. I had three x-rays done and then went back to the Clinic. Someone was whinging about being on transport and not waiting too long and I'd already been there over 2 hours!

I went back in to the Consulting Room and Dr C looked at the x-rays. They were quite dark but she used the spotlight as well. After looking she said nothing immediately jumped out, but if it hadn't gone in two weeks to come back to her. It is very tender and sore.

I was already so tired but had to book my appointment for next time and then ask to see Jan. She wasn't around so they left a message and I went trundling off to the blood clinic. I've also got to have another MRI scan as well so I dropped off the form on the way to the blood clinic.

They had problems trying to find a vein and called a Supervisor. She tried to find one and gave up and tried the other arm. Success at last! I've still got the bruise now but it will fade in time. I felt like a pin cushion going out of there.

Back to the Lymphoma Clinic to see if Jan had arrived. She'd come up just before I came back and went again. I sat and waited. It didn't take long and she was soon there. We didn't go to her office but went in to the Consulting Room. By now it was quite late and the poor ambulance guy was still waiting for me.

Jan examined my leg and said the "fold" looks bigger which it does to us as well. Sometimes it even creases in the evening and is painful. The new stockings are working well though and she is pleased - so if she's pleased so am I. Although they do cause my toes to swell in the evening sometimes. We're going to try closed toe ones and see how I get on. She said it is under control and doing well.

 

15 april 2005
world record attempt tomorrow!!!

I know, we're a load of idiots but someone has to help raise money as the Government doesn't help a lot of charities hence all the fundraising. We've got quite a few sponsors so I'm really pleased with that.

I've been printing posters and leaflets so people can see WHY we're doing it. All the toy monkeys will be going and we're going to tie them to the roof and inside the car as well as balloons and bunting. It should be fun but I'm shattered already after a hospital visit and to the Beacon as well. I can have a good sleep on the way up there though. No doubt Mum and John will be doing most of the work tying them all on!

During the evening I've also been making handmade cards, although it does make my back ache and I have to have loads of breaks from it. They look good though and I'm hoping to sell some at the Show tomorrow. The hands are not that good either sometimes.

We're all going to be shattered when we get back so don't expect any email replies that day or for them to make much sense either!

If you want to sponsor us, please email me.

 

update

We went on the World Record Attempt and had a lot of fun and giggles. Totally shattering though and it took over a week to recover from it. It still amazes me how absolutely worn out I get.

Anyway, check out the World Record Attempt page to see how we did, including photos as well...!

 

27 April 2005
it hasn't gone away, phone my second home!

Dr Cassoni said if the lump didn't disappear in two weeks (she expected it to) to phone and make another appointment, so that is what I'm going to do today. I get more bone pain in both legs at the moment, I hope it's just one of those things. My next appointment is 10 May 2005.