We've both had cancer scares, we've both lost family members or friends to cancer over the years & Carl was diagnosed with Stage 1b Melanoma in August, this was then furthered with a Basal Cell Carcinoma in early September with Surgery date now set for late September & further biopsies. Now is definitely the time to go sober for October.
So it seems fitting. Running a pub to fundraise for the charity who support him during this process.
We both love a drink and it'll be a challenge for both of us, it'll also be a great way to focus on our health but more importantly give back to those who have given so much assistance already.
Dig deep and sponsor both of us to stay Sober this October!
- Surgery Update
What a day Monday 22nd was, Philip drove me to St Georges at 6am, I got to admissions at 6.45am where the day was essentially:
- admissions to survey lounge
- surgery and day discussed with a surgeon and nurse
- Pre-Op checks with nurses and final details alongside stockings issue to stop DVT and clots
- numbed up 45 minutes before Nuclear Medicine
- Nuclear Medicine for 2 hours of scans, tests and 4 radioactive injections to locate sentinel nodes
- seen by an anaesthetist to discuss what's happening
- given surgery outfit
- revisited by my surgeon to check markings and discuss times of surgery
- 2pm surgeries undertaking comprising,
General anaesthetic
Wide Skin Excision on left forearm (surgery 1)
Sentinel Node Removal on left armpit (surgery 2)
Basal Cell Removal on left cheek of face & skin flap (surgery 3)
- was taken to a recovery ward at about 5pm so 1 hour per surgery
- given the usual post op updates and chats with a discharge time of 9pm aslong as the medical team were happy so left at 9.15pm
- reached home at 10pm, thanks again the wonderful Husband Philip
Food, drink and a little sleep before I woke up & wrote this
More updates to follow as dates set already for;
- Face Wound checkup
- Biopsy staging results from Sentinel Nodes & Basal Cell
Just awaiting dates for an arm stick checkup.
Thanks to those of you who have donated and indeed read all of this post. Much love xx
Biopsy Results -
The BCC was removed successfully and came back from the biopsy as one that would have become like a cauliflower growth on my face. (everyone is likely to get at least one in their lifetime)
The Wide Skin Excision around the original melanoma, all the tissue sent for Biopsy also came back negative.
I had 4 lymph nodes removed and each one given a biopsy, these all came back showing no cancer cells too.
🥳🥳🥳
The nurses checked each of the scars and were happy with how they're healing.
For the next two years ill be seen at Kingston hospital every 6 months for a checkup on my scars, lymph nodes and indeed my skin just to check nothing has repeated. This will eventually move to once a year but need to check myself for lumps and mole / freckle / skin check at least every 3 months. (Skin vision is available with work and I shall be using that too)
I can gradually work up my lifting as the scar is still healing, but to listen to my body and my left arm will take time as it seems a nerve and muscle was caught due to location. it'll be gradual and something I too can work on.
Naturally the nurses checked stress levels and asked what the plan was for today, celebrating with some beer and wine methinks 🤪
In summary, given the all clear and I remain at Stage 1B. 👏
🥂🍺🍷🍾