History Pt 3

14.12.2012

Visited surgeon today. The news is not good. I have an advanced tumor, opportunity now for surgery has passed. The PET scan showed up bright spots on some lymph nodes around he stomach and behind it. Chemo is now my best option. Before that starts though he wants to do a physical check that it also hasn't found its way onto other organs. This will involve another gastroscopy and at the same time a staging laparoscopy.

Apparently this is keyhole surgery in 2 or 3 points. They stick a camera in just above the belly button and have a look around. If they need to they put in 1 or 2 extra holes so they can take biopsies.

Unbelievably they have booked me in for today, urgently they are chasing a hospital bed and anesthetists etc.

They have already booked me in to see an Oncologist next week.

15.12.2012
Just spent the night in Warringal Hospital. It is a nice place and they look after me very well. It is about 7.45 in the morning breakfast has just arrived.

Had some Cornflakes and now I am feeling it.

I feel like someone has been punching me in the stomach. When I sit up my collar bones and shoulders ache. Apparently this is due to the gas they use to expand parts of the abdomen so they move the camera around. This stay in the body and goes to the highest points. Eventually it will be absorbed by the body but until then I can take panadol for it.

What is a surprise is that there is 4 holes not 3, I'm not sure if that is a good thing or not.

I am to check out today, but I am not sure when or what the process is. Someone will no doubt tell me.

16.12.12
Well I didn't get released until after midday. The hospital had a Code Red in the day surgery ward. Everything was in lock down for over an hour. Eventually the nurses contacted the doctors who said I could be released.