In my post https://derrickjknight.com/2024/08/02/bcg/ I described the treatment plan for my bladder cancer. When I was recently telephoned booking a date for this to begin, I was told I would not need another cystoscopy before it commenced. I therefore have been anticipating the vaccine installations sequence to start in one week’s time. It now seems this is wrong.
At 8.50 this morning I received a call asking me to attend a pre-assessment appointment, fortunately at Lymington Hospital, at 9.30. This would be a questionnaire from a nurse, checking on current details. We arrived at the hospital at 9.25 to be told that I was booked in for 9.45. I was called at 10.10, which was just after the nurse herself had been informed.
The staff were all very friendly – I attributed this mix-up at least to the fact that the arrangement had clearly been arranged in a rush.
Nurse Paula Rickard was thorough, friendly, and efficient. She was quite clear that my appointment on 21st is in fact for a further cystoscopy which does, as Consultant Miss Vickie Dawson had informed me, need to be carried out. The meeting with Paula involved much more than the usual questions: she gave me another ECG, checked blood pressure and pulse, followed by escorting me to a blood test and asking me to deposit a urine sample. We agreed there was no need to measure height and weight again.
Neither consultant nor nurse had, of course played any part in this confusion and the message from them is consistent. So – I think I know what to expect at my next procedure, and will await a date for the vaccine application thereafter.
This took the whole of the morning, after which I made good headway in reading “The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett, a wonderful book making me feel very much at home that I will review when I have finished it.
Tonight we dined on tender baked gammon; piquant cauliflower cheese; spring greens and green beans; crunchy carrots; firm broccoli and boiled new potatoes, with which I drank Luis Felipe Edwards Gran Reserva Merlot 2021
Phew, what a mix-up! But at least those who are treating you seem to know what they are doing. Best of luck going forward.
As a child, I loved The Secret Garden and reread it many times. Looking forward to your review.
Thank you so much, Laurie. Yes, the medical staff are very good indeed. I hope my review will do justice to the book
I’m sure it will. You are a careful reader and a good writer.
Thank you so much, Laurie
Hopefully things will unravel positively for your cancer Derrick
Thank you very much, Geetha. I remain optimistic
Oh Derrick, cancer strikes again as you’re the second person that has recently as in the last few years been diagnosed with bladder cancer. The other is Rosalie who also had a stroke not long ago. All the very best, to you and your family.
Thank you very much, Suzanne
A bit of a mixup, but it sounds like the people you saw today are very capable and informed.
I can see why The Secret Garden would make you feel at home. I read it a long time ago. We saw a production of the musical version a few years ago.
Thank you very much, Merril. The hands on medical staff have been exemplary throughout.
You’re welcome, Derrick. That is wonderful to hear.
Oh very dear. So annoying.
I’ve still got the FS edition of The Secret Garden that you gave to Flo when she was little. I’m looking at it on my bookshelf now.
Thank you so much, Becky. I’d forgotten I’d done that. So apt for her
Good luck with your treatment. You seem to be facing it with your customary good humor. Secret Garden is a great read. I think I remember the swing.
Thank you so much, Pat
I’m glad that you are working to stop the cancer, Derrick! Your medical system is I believe, better than ours.
Thank you so much, John. I have no complaints
You are welcome, Derrick.
Wishing you well dear Derrick as you embark upon this treatment. Enjoy your book, One of my favourite stories..
much love to you both xx <3
Thank you very much, Sue XX
Hope your treatment goes well.
Thanks very much, Andy
You’re welcome.
Oh, gosh, (sad face) Mix-ups, especially medical related, can be so frustrating and disconcerting. So glad those helping you today were kind and efficient.
The Secret Garden (a fave book of mine!) is such a lovely escape-read! I look forward to your review of it!
Continued prayers, meditations, and best-healing wishes for you on this health-journey, Derrick. One day at a time. 🙂
(((HUGS))) and ❤️❤️
Thank you so much, Carolyn XX
I’m sorry about the confusion but I’m glad you got it sorted.
When you first told me about your cancer, I immediately did my research. And the BCG method into the bladder has proven to be the most successful way of treating bladder cancer. And it also works against leprosy! Amazing!
It is amazing, Sue. Thank you very much
PS. I loved the book too. 🙂
Thanks again, Sue
Hi, Derrick – Sending warm thoughts your way for quick healing and recovery.
Thank you vey much, Donna
That’s one of the first books I gave Nissa when she was a kid.
Get well soon Derrick.
Thank you very much, Arlene
One of the great books, beautifully story telling
Only half way through yet I agree. Thanks very much, Gary
Derrick, I hope that your treatment program works out in the end <3
Thanks very much, Rosaliene X
Sounds like you were a patient patient. I look forward to your review of The Secret Garden.
Thanks very much, JoAnna. I’ve always wondered why we are called patients.
I’m so glad your ‘mix-up’ was sorted relatively quickly. It’s been my experience that nurses can be extraordinarily helpful in such situations, and it sounds as though you have some good ones on your team. I’m looking forward to your review of The Secret Garden. I’ve never read it; perhaps I should put it on my list for winter reading!
Thank you very much, Linda. The medical staff have all been faultless. The administration wobbles a bit. The book should be at the top of your winter reading list.
Very much hope it is plain sailing from now on.
Thank you very much, Sylvie
I thoroughly enjoyed “The Secret Garden” and loved reading it to my daughter too. My thoughts are with you.
Thank you so much, Anne. I am really enjoying the book, too.
Good luck with your treatment Derrick. Mix-ups like this can be very frustrating.
Thanks very much, Aletta
If everything goes according to plan it would be a dull world and we would have nothing to write about.
Good luck with the treatment Derrick.
Thanks very much, Andrew
I am sure all will go well with your treatment. I am praying for your good health. The Secret Garden is one of my favourite books.
Thank you very much, Lakshmi
Wishing you well with the treatment Derrick. So glad the folks that matter are consistent! Enjoy the book and your own garden 💐
This sounds about right – the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing. Though in this case the right hand is clearly going to be shoving a tube somewhere not designed to accommodate tubes. Administrative glitches are very common and it is always sensible to take a good book. Good luck with the remaining NHS contact. (I was going to use “cock-up” instead of “glitch” but although it describes the event it probably isn’t the best choice of words in the circumstances.) 🙂
You couldn’t resist it even in parenthesis 🙂 Thanks very much, Quercus
Side by side with my internal editor I have an internal 14-year-old smirking away. 🙂
I knew you would have a comments on this one, Simon. 🙂
I can see that!
Thanks very much, GP
I hope the treatments are pain free and short. My friend has to take monthly injections for ever post op pancreatic cancer. She is doing well. We took her to the beach recently.
Thanks very much, Sherry. I’m pleased for your friend
Wishing you a smooth treatment and speedy recovery.
Thank you very much, Byung
Wishing you well with your treatment, Derrick. Enjoy your book and get some rest.
Thank you very much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
It’s seldom the front-line staff who create these sorts of cock-ups, but they’re the ones who have to cope with the fallout. May your future appointments be not quite so, interesting. 🙂
Thank you very much, Widders
This sort of thing does not make for much needed calmness at times like these. I hope all goes as you expect from now on.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
Oh gosh, that all sounds familiar Derrick. Hang in there.
Good luck going forward with the procedures, Derrick. Things in general move too fast these days and have to be done over, sometimes more than once.
Thank you very much, Lavinia
This sounds so stressful, Derrick. I’m sorry you continue to go through this. I’m glad you can keep busy with reading, forest drives, and your beautiful garden. Sigh.
Thank you so much, Alys.
I did not know that you were suffering so much Derrick. I am really sorry for all the procedures that you have to undergo. But have faith. You will get well very soon. My prayers are with you.
Thank you so much, Geeta
Ah, Derrick, I do feel for you. I have spent so many hours during the past 22 years sitting in hospitals with family members, I think I know it all and have become fairly expert on many chronic illnesses and their treatments. My mum is a breast cancer survivor. Huge hugs
Thank you so much, Robbie
I am glad you are getting good medical care regardless of the scheduling snafu, Derrick. I hope your treatment is effective and I am praying for your speedy and full recovery.
Thank you so much, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick.
Hopefully everything goes rather more smoothly in future
Thanks very much, Sheree