MEDICAL MATTERS

[PanBiker]

From what I read, when introduced directly to the bladder via catheter the live virus attaches itself to any cancer cells weakens them and eventually kills them. Regime is usually six sessions one each week or can be extended depending on results. As its a live virus subsequent trips to the toilet have to be seated to avoid splashes and the toilet has to be treated with bleach and left for 15 - 20 minutes before flushing. Genitals to be thoroughly washed after urinating. Read it all in a pdf info leaflet downloaded from one of the specialist hospitals. There is more technical information available via google.

[Moh]

I have been put on oromorph & paracetamol. The Macmillan nurse comes from Barlick, her mother was Stanley's wife's best friend !

[Marilyn]

I hope the Oromorph is keeping you comfortable, Moh...

[Stanley]

Thanks for the research Ian. I have made it a rule not to do any until I have some certainty. I clean my own toilet and so sit down to pee a lot! Bleach no problem to an addict like me....
P, that's about right.....
Moh, the Macmillan nurse, what a coincidence. Who is it? Isn't it a small world....... Could it be Ann Crabtree as she was then? (later. Cancel that. Margaret has just told me that Ann died of cancer a few years ago....)
Tiz, evidently it's a fairly recently discovered treatment for cancer. Last time I met it was in my army jabs. Mr Shaikh told me about it a while ago and said it was proving to be very effective.

[Mags]

Moh, was the nurse called Lynne, if so she was Lynne Capstick (Norma and John's daughter) her parents were my godparents. Dad messaged me this morning about you talking to someone who was mum's best friend. I was trying to think who it could be.

[Stanley]

The Graham Research organisation is global!



Family group at Hey Farm about 1961 I think. Mother on left, Norma Capstick, Father holding Norma's daughter Lynne, Vera, Vera's mother, Mary Agnes, Dorothy with Margaret standing I think, nephew Philip in trolley and brother Leslie on the right.
If it is Lynne, show her the picture Moh.... It will bring back happy memories!

[Cathy]

Hi Moh
I hope you are feeling a lot more ease and calm.
Thinking of you. XxOo.

[Stanley]

Later, after meeting a friend I haven't seen for a while who commiserated with me as he had heard I have cancer. He told me not to worry at this stage and related his own experience.... About 5 years ago he had a painful patch on his back which turned out to be a serious malignant melanoma. It was taken off immediately with about a third of the skin off his back and the upshot was he was given 12 months to live and is still here. An interesting and encouraging story but it got me to thinking, is there anyone out there who hasn't been affected by cancer?
He told me why he was waiting for the early bus to Skipton, he's heading to Doncaster via Leeds to visit his mother who is in care with terminal pancreatic cancer......

[Moh]

Yes it was Lynne, I will show it her when she returns on Monday. The doctor rang last evening to say my blood test shows I have an infection somewhere in my body, so I see him this afternoon. I don't get the oromorph until this morning Maz.

[Marilyn]

I can assure you Stanley, that a Malignant Melanoma is far worse than bladder cancer! ( Pancreatic Cancer is far worse too!)
Good he is doing so well though...
how on earth does a body get Malignant Melanoma in Barlick?!!!!

[PanBiker]

An interesting and encouraging story but it got me to thinking, is there anyone out there who hasn't been affected by cancer?

Statistically it's 1 in 3 or so with some form of the disease and 1 in 2 for being involved with the disease either via family or direct support.

how on earth does a body get Malignant Melanoma in Barlick?!!!!

Quite easily I would imagine if you are an outside grafter used to working stripped off, builders, roofers come to mind. I don't think sunblock is part of their toolkit going by how some of them look during the summer.

Stanley, I got the mechanism of the Bcg virus slightly wrong, it actually triggers the immune system to attack the cancer cells, so in effect it's a bit like a trojan horse.

Moh, you are in the wars aren't you, one thing after another. I hope the new meds give you some respite for your pain and they can get on top of the infection you have picked up.

[PanBiker]

Medically related, got a letter from the DVLA today with a decision about my ability to drive. It says that medical information received confirms that I have been diagnosed with a brain tumour. The Secretary of State Medical Advisory Panel recommends that I do not drive for a period of at least 6 months dating from the completion of treatment.

Consequently, my driving licence has been revoked from the 5th December 2018, I am instructed to surrender my current licence to the address provided, (I will have to find it first).

It suggests that I should discuss this with my doctor as he/she may not be aware of the decision.

There are also changes to my driving entitlement. Entitlements C1 and D1 which cover vehicles 3,500kg and up to 7,500kg are withdrawn if I have them on my licence, as I passed my test before 1st January 1997 I do believe I have these categories. These would be reconsidered after passing an advanced medical review.

I can re-apply for my licence 8 weeks before the 6 months ban date if I am judged medically fit.

[plaques]

I can re-apply for my licence 8 weeks before the 6 months ban date if I am judged medically fit.

Be very careful if they change your level of medication. My friend who had heart bypass surgery was doing quite well so they reduced is medication unfortunately this event coincided with an increased physio routine at the hospital rehabilitation unit, the result was he momentarily blacked out. This set his driving licence back another 6 months.

[PanBiker]

I am not on any medication at all P. Withdrew from all the hard stuff while I was still in hospital and stopped the Paracetamol a few weeks back. I have not suffered any seizures or anything like that.

I did comment earlier that the form you have to fill in for the DVLA was very epilepsy and seizure centric and did not allow for other scenarios to be properly reported. One form fits all apparently although the DVLA list hundreds of different medical conditions that can lead to not being able to drive. A proper area on the form to explain your circumstance would go a long way. I sent my diagnosis and latest report from my consultant.

Not found my licence yet!

[Mags]

The Graham Research organisation is global!



Family group at Hey Farm about 1961 I think. Mother on left, Norma Capstick, Father holding Norma's daughter Lynne, Vera, Vera's mother, Mary Agnes, Dorothy with Margaret standing I think, nephew Philip in trolley and brother Leslie on the right.
If it is Lynne, show her the picture Moh.... It will bring back happy memories!

Grandma Graham, Norma, Grandad is holding Janet Capstick, me standing with Micheal in my trolley. This must have been summer 1963, I was born in 61...........

[PanBiker]

Found it! So long since I have needed to look at it that I had forgotten Category D is my full motorbike qualifications. That's been removed along with C1 which is the stuff like light goods box vans and similar.

[Marilyn]

Done something to my darn knee...goodness knows what. I'm fine on the flat but it hurts to put any weight on it when it is bent. I found myself saying "ouch" every time I had to go up and down stairs today. Hopefully it is a fleeting problem!

[Stanley]

Moh, sorry to hear about the infection. Do you ever get the feeling it's one thing after another! I do....
I know they are more serious Maz. That wasn't my point.....
Margaret, you are right.....1963. I had an idea I was wrong about the baby but had forgotten Janet's name.
Ian, I suppose they have to apply these rules for driving licences but even so you could do without it! Glad you are entirely off the medication, so often it leads eventually to other problems and is best avoided. (That's my story and I am sticking to it!)

[PanBiker]

In effect I have been off all medication since three weeks after my op, certainly all the hard stuff, so that was before the end of October. No matter but I cant see how they have arrived at an end of treatment date of 5th December, that was two days ago and bears no resemblance to any treatment, appointment or consultation? It just seems to be some arbitrary date picked with a pin on a calendar or something.

The DVLA seem to only recognise seizures as a limiting factor and assume everyone is a sufferer. I have never had a seizure of the type they refer too. I fully understand the need for a ban but don't understand why they have removed my motorcycle entitlement entirely from my licence. I am encouraged to ride a pedal cycle when I feel up to it (too cold at the moment), I will save that for Spring. You do a lot less with your right foot on a motorcycle than you do in a car so why take away the privilege? Anyway, I have a chauffeur, a bus pas and a rail card, so I can get around independently but it's not as convenient.

Oh, you have the right to appeal against the ruling on your ability to drive but you have to do it through the magistrates court.

[PanBiker]

Received my confirmation letter for my MRI scan in January. Looks like it will be a non contrast scan as there is no mention in the letter.

[Moh]

What a couple of days, the doctor rang to say he was worried about my bloods, there appeared to be an infection and he wanted to see me. When I got there he said my blood pressure was high, heart rate fast & temp. Slightly raised, he would put me on anti biopics and ring me tomorrow to see how I was. He rang again at teatime after a consultation with the head doctor and they decided I should go to hospital - he would arrange transport. That was 5.40, it arrived at 12.45 am after 2 phone calls from me - 7 hours. When we got to Blackburn they took me to A & E when we should have gone straight to the Assessment ward, I arrived on the ward at 2.25am. I was taken for x Ray at 6 am after seeing the ward doctor, they had taken my bloods in A & E. My blood pressure when the ambulance men came and is A& E was 205 over 105! Today I saw a doctor who said it is a chest infection and I am retaining water due to a slow heart beat and I am to have an ultra sound of my heart, he put me on steroids, antibiotics & a water pill. I had to wait over 4 hours for the pills and got home at 5.15!

[PanBiker]

Under the circumstances Moh I would have thought they would have kept you on the AAU a little longer. I hope the medication regime they have sorted for you gets on top of it and you are feeling better soon.

[Moh]

Thanks, it is like a production line in there - on out one in. The hospital covers too big an area.

[Marilyn]

A gruelling 24+ hours in anyone's measure, Moh.

[Stanley]

Moh, I suppose we have to be grateful that the system is so efficient but I know how you must feel. I hope they have nailed it and you soon start to feel the benefit. I agree with you about Blackburn, that's why, when given the choice, I opted for Airedale.
Ian, That struck me as well (the date) but I didn't query it, I reckoned you had enough oil in your can to do it. Little things like that annoy me, it smacks of someone simply applying a regulation and not taking account of your hard work and progress.