h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

That too

*small voice--I was referring to someone finally making it to the UK next summer...*

(yeh, I guessed that!)

and and and for GB thinking of you,

Thank you 2legs

A little hiccup - on Tuesday Ian had his pre-op checks and he told me everything was alright, although he'd had a bloodtest and I know from experience that they tend to take a few days. Yesterday Castle Hill rang while I was at Ian's house, his blood isn't clotting so they want him back for a repeat bloodtest, on Tuesday. As we are now just 10 days from op day I am paranoid it's going to be postponed if there's anything wrong with his blood that can't be corrected quickly, he is already having trouble swallowing again and got his cough back so I know the cancer is regrowing

I'm sure I won't be the only one keeping my fingers crossed that Tuesday's bloodtest will be ok or at least easily sorted if there's a problem.

Deb

You're not, deb.
Fingers crossed here too.

"...he'd had a bloodtest and I know from experience that they tend to take a few days"

They don't have to though. My 81 year old mum has acute myeloid leukemia and her blood results are often done while she waits. She has at least one test every two weeks. If it's done in the morning at her local GP, the hospital will phone her that same night. If things weren't right she probably wouldn't be alive a few days later.

I suspect that this Tuesday's repeat bloodtest will be marked "urgent".

It seems to vary a lot between hospital departments, and I assume that often relates to how complex some blood tests can be, whereas others are a lot more standard, and automated tests; in the oncology unit here, I'd go in in the morning, have bloods taken, and then speak to my hemotolotigst or oncologists, in the afternoon, to get the results, and go-ahead (or not), for having the chemotherapy infusions in the afternoon.... Endocrinology however don't even send out results when they have them back and they often seem to take a week or more - however, I assume in a 'rush' or emergency situation they could get hormone tests done on a patient in a matter of hours....

If I go to sainsburrys supermarket for folic acid test (refered by GP), I get the results useually sent to me by my GP by a TXT message by the end of the afternoon - it does seem all kinds of wrong though, going to a supermarket for a blood test

Fingers crossed here too for the test results

We have heard nothing so we're assuming all is well with the repeat bloodtest. Today is pre-op travel day, I am leaving soon to go into Cleethorpes to stock up on Tenas for my mother and get her fresh salad bits to keep her going. Must remember a large jug of milk for my Then I'll go to hers and do all her housework, early lunch & clear-up then head for Ian's house where I will check his hospital bag and paperwork. I will stay with him until his transport arrives (projected 2.30pm-3pm) then wave him off and lock up his house. Then go home alone. I am glad I am so busy today, otherwise I'd be going stir-crazy. I can't even think about tomorrow yet

I hope all goes well, and I hope you find yourself busy tomorrow. Waiting is a horrible game.

Deb

Prayers for you all.

Thinking of you both today. I assume the op is fairly early in the morning.

what a day. I got a call from Caroline at 10.20am that Ian's operation had been postponed to Thursday on account of no bed for him on the ICU for post-op care. So we've been across my favourite bridge to Castle Hill Hospital to visit him - he seems ok, and is being well looked after. We left him tucking into pork casserole

So I have a day's respite and then it all to go through again on Thursday now.

Thanks for letting us know. We're still praying.

NHS in major "difficulties" hitting all the country (except rich)

apart from that gripe! ING and sending as many good vibes that's possible

waiting can be horrible, especially if your worke dup ready for soemthing then its cancelled that way... - My endocrine nurse here practically spat blood when mentioning the governments claim that the NHS isn't in crisis again with beds etc... I reassured her I'd join her on the picket line come the time Hope it all goes well, when it can finlaly take place

He went down for his op. They opened him up, closed him up, sent him back to the ward. They wanted me there last night but it was impossible. Family meeting this afternoon. Caroline has flown back from Spain, his brother Ian is collecting her, the other daughter and me then we're off to Castle Hill.

Still hopeful of a miracle

his brother *Les* (sleep deprived)

Praying.