Busy week

Last week was a bit hecktic with two visits to hospital.

On Tuesday it was to the Urology department for an infusion of Zometa (zolodronic acid) a bisphosponate to strenthen my bones. I got myself up and dressed early as I was not sure when the ambulance would arrive to take me. It arrived at about 9:25 and delivered me to the Urology department just on my appointment time. I needed a blood test first and the results took a while to appear. The Clinical Nurse Specialst had a problem finding a suitable vein for the canular for the infusion. One of the doctors dealt with it instead. The actual infusion only took about 15 minutes. Due to the delay for the blood test, the ambulance to take me home arrived whilst I was being treated and had to go away again. They returned just as I was being offered a sandwich. The CNS gave me a list of things to be checked on a blood test in the week before the next infusion. The community nurse from the local Health Centre will take the blood.

On Wednesday morning a fellow from Social Services arrived to investigate the options for ramps at one of the entrances. Our preferred option of temporary ramps are not possible because with both the patio and front doors the end of the ramp would end up on grass and there is not enough room at the back door. Each inch of height needs a foot of length. The step up to the back door is 11 inches, so an 11 foot ramp would be needed and the car port is only about 8 foot wide. The other options are a permenant ramp made with concrete or a semi permenant ramp made of metal. In each case there would be a "landing" level with the doorstep to allow the wheelchair to be turned through 90 degrees allowing plenty of room for the ramps. We have decided to take no action at present.  

On Thursday afternoon it was Out patients regarding my left elbow. The ambulance arrived early, before 2pm for a 4:15pm appointment. This did not pose a problem because patients arriving by ambulance get treated first. X-rays taken whilst I was in hospital show that there is a tumour on the elbow. The tumour has started to affect the strength of my left hand, particularly the small fingrer and thenext one. The doctors thought they had contacted the oncologist at the Christie about it but as there was no record of them having done so will do so as a matter of urgency. I have another Out patients appointment in six weeks time as a back stop should I hear nothing from the Christie.  I will cancel that appointment once I hear from the Christie. There was a bit of a wait for the ambulance home but I was back at about 4:30pm.