MEDICAL MATTERS

[chinatyke]

Best wishes for a speedy and successful outcome, Ian. Like Maz said, you can look forward a great Christmas this year, you'll be running up Weets.

[Stanley]

Good stuff Ian, you know the size of the rabbit, you have confidence in Mr Anderson and you are secure in the knowledge that basically you are fit for your age. All you need now is a dusting of luck and I send you a bucketful! Here's hoping that you get in earlier than you expect. Give my love to Sally, she must be so relieved.

[Big Kev]

All sounds as though it's going to be a positive outcome, excellent news. I was reading about Martin Kemp (ex Spandau Ballet and actor) and he appears to have had a similar thing, they put a metal plate on his skull as well which causes havoc at airport security.

[PanBiker]

Thanks all, its very strange watching someone zoom through you head and the inner workings but it helps to explain the whys and wherefores. It's a lottery as to who gets one of these and the lucky brush decided it was me. Not generic, disease or trauma linked its just there.

My confidence in Mr Anderson was boosted when he was talking about the surgery procedure, he said if I wanted to look up his track record for outcomes I could and should if I had any worries. I like a bloke with nothing to hide and Sally had the same feeling. Extremely confident but not cocky in any way, I like him, he is a namesake, an Ian like me. When he introduced himself I immediately thought of him stood on one leg with a flute in front of Jethro Tull but that soon went away when we got down to business.

Stanley, yes and it's a big rabbit! Sally has come down a peg or two on the stress gauge which is good, we both have really.

China, I will hit Weets as soon as, but I don't do running, that's for crazy people who want to wreck their knees.

Kev, I have a mate who has a pacemaker and the hospital issues an exemption certificate for the security gates for him. Not for triggering the alarm but the gates could make him fall over.

Maz, don't know what the meds will be as he has sent that instruction to my doc. He did say that they would be at the common end of the spectrum for seizure, reasonably mild and would help to take the edge off the symptoms.

Plaques, thanks for your comments. I have said elsewhere that if good wishes and positive vibes count for anything I will be home and dry.

[Tizer]

I've just read your report posted on OG yesterday evening - full marks for report writing! The doc will like your ability to take it all in and to give succinct but accurate details of symptoms etc, and your positive attitude to the problem. It's always a relief to have a medical problem identified even though you know something has to be done about it. You've got Darth in the cross hairs now!

[Marilyn]

Bless you Panbiker.... but I find that not every "Ian" in my life was splattered by full strength holy water at the time of christening.
I too, have a thing about names.

[plaques]

PanBiker, this post isn't intended as a comparison of illnesses but one that faith in the doctors and nurses and faith in yourself in the hope it will help.
Three years ago Mrs P suffered from Guillain Barre syndrome, Link., A rare 1/100,000 that hits people from some viral infections, Started in a very casual way on our way to a concert when her leg felt funny, this progressed to both legs and an admission to hospital. Within days a paralysis had spread through her legs, arms, speech, and swallowing. By this time the doctors had sussed out what was going on. From this point it was all action stations with tests, drips, feeding tubes and finally wheeled round to critical care waiting for her breathing to stop. Fortunately it never came to this. Then it was the road to recovery, she became quite proud of being exhibit number one for the troops of junior doctors. At home a potential stair lift was lined up and a wheel chair provided. Thankfully, she never used them but stairs became a challenge for both of us. The whole point is that she never let the frustration of limbs not doing what they were told get on top of her. No doubt you will hit times when things are not going as fast as you would wish but knowing you will ultimately get there is the target to aim for.

[PanBiker]

Thanks Plaques, we have been on this or a very similar journey before when Sally was first diagnosed with cancer. You get all the fears of waiting then the roller coaster of testing then more waiting, planning, waiting and finally execution of the treatment plan. In our case 9 months of chemo and radiotherapy. A few years down the line and a failed reconstruction that became infected and went bad very quickly and we had another ticket for a different roller coaster and free entry to the ICU. All came good in the end and we emerged stronger.

Again, not about comparing illnesses as such but the positive attitudes adopted that gets you to the light at the end of the tunnel. We have swapped roles on this one but our attitudes remain the same, the only way is up.

[Tizer]

Plaques, some years ago (perhaps before you joined) I mentioned on OG about someone we knew who was caught out by Guillain Barre syndrome after an infection. Typical symptoms, as you describe, paralysis starting in the lower legs and working its way upwards rapidly until (unless you get ultra-quick immediate treatment) paralysis of the lungs and death. Very frightening. Fortunately she got that immediate attention and survived.

[PanBiker]

I weighed in my prescription I got from Mr Anderson yesterday. Just so that I have the meds in hand for whenever I need them. There were two items on the prescription but I only need one of them. The first are the high dose steroids that I need to take for three days prior to surgery these are 2mg Dexamethasone but I will have to take eight each day for the dosage required. Think these are the same as they gave me in the AAU so the second item prescribed was for more Omeprazole which I already have a stock of, only needed along with the steroids so temporarily suspended.

Had a natter on the phone with my brother George last night who lives in France. I had emailed him with my results and treatment plan, nice to have a catch up. I haven't informed my sister Jennifer, no real point she has advanced stage dementia and unfortunately with that cruel disease would not comprehend the news or even recognise who I am, very sad, always someone worse off than yourself. I at least have the chance of a recovery.

[Stanley]

I'm a simplistic old bugger and can cope with something like a dog with his throat torn out but when I read of the attacks on other people like the above I just thank my lucky stars it isn't me. Not very helpful I know but honest! Life can be very unfair!

[Stanley]

Later and on a different subject,
Two things, the nurse yesterday showed concern because I had a trace of blood in my urine sample. It's dawned on me this morning what the reason is. Remember the nose bleeds I have had in the past when I have been going at the Cod Liver Oil a bit too hard? I reckon that's what it is, it's a natural anti-coagulant and has the same effect as Warfarin which is a recognised cause of the blood traces.
The other thing that struck me was what wonderful machines our bodies are. I was outside in the dark and the security light came on but then went off. For a nano-second there was complete darkness and then my eyes reacted and the pupils opened up. I think the reason why I noted this so clearly is that with age the reaction is slightly slower. Isn't it wonderful!

[Sue]

Just read all of this Ian, good luck, but everything sounds hopeful. I am sure you will be glad when its all over and you can move on with your life.

[PanBiker]

I had a letter this morning with an appointment for my Pre-operative Assessment. Not long to wait, next Wednesday 12th at Leeds General Infirmary, it's at a civilised time as well 2.40pm. The information leaflet sent with the letter says we should allow 3 hours but the test should be around 2 hours. Heart, bloods, respiration and allergies plus current medication list (none at the moment) and previous medical history.

I think I will take a weeks worth of BP readings with me because I can. Better mention my scheduled pre-loading of medications planned by Mr Anderson that I will have in me when I rock up for the main event. Parking can be a bit tight at LGI so we will go on the train and get a taxi up to the hospital, timings may be just right for our lad Jack to pick us up for coming home as he works around the parish so to speak. No shortage of friends for lifts if required.

[Wendyf]

Our Skoda still bears the scars I inflicted on it trying to squeeze into a space in the LGI multistory car park when visiting Mum. So much less stressful to get the train.

[PanBiker]

We have close friends who were in a similar situation a couple of months ago but their appointment was in the morning around 9.30am. They went the day before and booked into Premier Inn or similar for B&B. It would be manic driving in at that time in the morning.

[Stanley]

Sounds like a sensible plan Ian. Leeds traffic was a bugger 30 years ago, God alone knows what it is like now.
Best of luck with it.

[PanBiker]

I received another letter today from Airedale's Cardio Respiratory Department, an appointment for a 3 Day ECG portable monitor to be fitted, next Friday 14th.

I think events have already overtaken this as this was ordered up by Dr Zain who I saw initially in the stroke unit, this was the second part of his recommendation along with the CT scan. I have already had 30 minutes of the Cardiac Consultants time in the AAU and he pronounced me good to go. I can't contact them until Monday but I will give them a ring to avail them that I have been passed on to Leeds Neurology. It would be a couple of days after my pre-Operative Assessment and I doubt that they will want to proceed with this test as well, I'll give the slot to someone else.

[Stanley]

[PanBiker]

Well, I was wrong, I rang Airedale regarding the 3 day ECG and they don't want to cancel my appointment yet. They said I should keep the slot until after my pre-op on Wednesday and cancel then if no longer required. Belt and braces approach I think.

On another matter I managed to get an appointment to see my own doctor today! this is despite being told last week that I couldn't see him until 24th September. I believe that he should have correspondence from Mr Anderson regarding some medication to ease the seizures that I still get. I need to discuss this with him and I think it would be good to have a catch up session anyway to avail him of my present position and condition. When Mr Anderson and LGI have finished with me I will be passed back for post op follow up to him no doubt. Anyway, I have a 15.30 slot, I will thank him for his referral while I am in there.

[PanBiker]

Someone mentioned earlier that they couldn't find any data on the NHS consultants database on my specialist Ian Anderson. I couldn't either he's listed but with data listed as N/A. I have logged a support ticket on this to see if it's a glitch in the system. I got an email response to say that my ticket had been acknowledged but it may take 4 weeks or more to get a reply.

Better luck on the Leeds Neurosurgery website:

Ian Anderson

[Tripps]

Well you can't ask for more than that Ian - fully time served I'd say.

[Tizer]

He seems to be involved in IT in surgery and also lists website admin as one of his expertise areas. The two Ians will have more in common that they expected!

[Stanley]

From what I remember about Janet's surgery it would be better if he could pilot a stealth bomber......

[PanBiker]

Been following up some of the links on the Neurology site above. The info ones for various procedures and the patient information stuff. All very interesting. Better to know what to expect, and what's best plan for post op. Seems from the info on the site that the surgical wards are deep cleaned in the morning and elective surgery admissions are usually in the afternoons, Mr Anderson told me that he does surgery on Fridays.

Hassan has all the AAU stuff so knows the nature of the beast. Nothing from Leeds yet so I had to update him about my consultation with Mr Anderson and my pre-op. No further medication then yet to alleviate repeat symptoms I have had events on Sunday and Monday but prior to that nothing for six days. They are not getting worse but are having a wearing effect on recovery time from the loss of muscle control and spasms. I will need to get back on the hills as soon as I am able.