Its Friday the 14th of June and exactly 365 days since I started my current form of chemo, so I have to acknowledge that this form of Chemo has been successful in containing my cancer and reducing my PSA. In the scheme of things this is a good result, so today is an important day and a day to celebrate.
On a more here and now issue today is the day my pre operation assessment takes place. Before I get up I check my vitals and spend sometime organising myself for the day. Of course as I am going to be seeing the medical profession later in the day I get into the shower and wash my ever lengthening locks and contemplate what is reasonable to wear, its a tricky balance between feeling comfortable and not looking like some one who has lost all sense of decorum. In the end I settle for jeans and T shirt with a classy fleece jacket. I have breakfast and do some meds admin until it is time to do the drive to the hospital. My partner drove me as I had taken a pre-emptive co-codamol.
The wait to be seen was not that long and I was soon called in accompanied by my partner. It turns out all is good, and I have a strong heart and my vitals are good. There is one surprise, my height. I have managed to lose almost two inches in height. I come in at five feet nine inches, that’s at least an inch and a half short than my mature adult height. So a sure sign that age has taken its toll, it is never the less a bit of a shock, so its thick socks and Cuban heels for me from now on. I see two nurses, one to do the measurements adn one to take me through the process. I am dispensed an anti bacteria body wash to use between now and the operation along with an anti bacterial ointment to shove up my nose three times a day. So having been measured and briefed I am sent off home. My partner drives me while I take in all the information I have been given.
Once home I settle back to draft the blog and to prepare to watch the opening game of the European football championships. Traditional fish and chips fortify me for watching Scotland get thrashed by Germany. I while away the evening and stay up late to watch a film before finally taking my night meds and going off to bed. I am very tired after the days exertions Now it is all about preparation and rest for the early start on Monday when I check in at 7 o’clock to the pre-theatre ward. I am of course anxious but I am hoping that I can soon return to training and get rid of some of the blubber that I have accrued over the past six months.
