It Had to Happen

Yesterday turned into somewhat of a circus with people seemingly fighting over my body.


I started the day all prepared to be spending today at Wellington Hospital having my kidney tests.  The day ended with me unsure whether these tests will now occur on Monday or Tuesday, but knowing that today I'm having my gastric peg inserted.


It all started with Anne ringing to ask if they could do the peg insertion on Thursday instead because they didn't want me in hospital over the weekend.  Seemed a reasonable request and apart from stuffing up my work plans, there was no reason not to accept.


Later in the day, the fun really began and it confirmed the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing in relation to my care.  Anne rings again, very apologetic, and asks if they can do the procedure on Wednesday instead as they won't have two doctors available on Thursday.


Now the fun really begins.  If I say no, then they want to do it on Monday instead.  Given how this week has been screwed up anyway, I was keen to keep next week as disruption free as possible, so what to do?  I told Anne about my current plans for Wednesday and desire not to push the peg to next week.  Perhaps it was a mistake, but I suggested I talk to Matthew about potentially moving the kidney tests to Friday.


Now, I think I should have left it to them to fight it out as to who got my attentions and body today, but my desire to have some control over this stuff meant I was now doing the negotiating.


Eventually talk to Matthew and he is working to a timetable requested by Mr Hamilton, but he (surprise, surprise) isn't aware of what else is happening to me.


End result, we agree that the peg is probably more important that the tests (radiotherapy is due to start ahead of chemo and there have been no discussions about what is starting when anyway), so Hutt can have me Wednesday and he'll confirm whether the tests are rescheduled to Monday (late morning start) or Tuesday (9am start).  One benefit is he'll talk to the radiotherapy guys and see if they can do something about the mask during the down time between my blood letting.


Decided to goggle "gastric pegs" and, as I did after googling "tonsil cancer", wish I hadn't done so.  The problem with the cancer search was there are so many different sites all saying different things.  As a result, I decided the only people I needed to listen too are my specialists - they are the ones dealing with my specific circumstances.  What happened to someone on the other side of the world isn't relevant as I see it, regardless of how similar things might be.


Reading about how they insert the peg/tube has made me feel somewhat squeamish, but fortunately I saw the word "sedation" so trust I'll be out for all of this.


Today will be my first ever night spent in hospital and while to some extent I'm seeing it as an adventure, I really would prefer to be coming home today.


I know very little about what is going to transpire today, but given they are actually inserting it direct into my stomach and can only assume they will also want to test the peg at some stage, staying in hospital overnight makes good sense.


Seems I only have to pack my toiletries and pyjamas, but as I hope to be up and around, a robe and slippers will also go in.  Considered taking the laptop with me to do some work, but figure in reality (hoping for early morning discharge on Thursday) it's not worth the effort for such a short time.


I am somewhat annoyed I am not allowed to eat or drink this morning as I'm due to finish my antibiotics today, so will take them with me and discuss with Doctors if I finish them or forget them.


Jaw still sore / tender today, but feels better with each day.