Pre-op check at Princess Anne

Nurse is called Anne. She’s generally quite chatty, explains some of what will happen. Checks weight and height. Thinks I’m a runner when she asks me “Do you often get out of breath”, I reply “only when I’m running". I don’t correct her. Finished quite quickly, I expected 4 hours, out in about 2.

Mothers’ day. Discuss with Lynda

Today is mothers' day. The boys got the Take That CD for me. This is a real positive "Seize the day" song:
http://www.seeklyrics.com/lyrics/Take-That/The-Garden.html

Got a chance to discuss the op with Lynda. She's really good (as always). She was calming me down. It is probably not too serious - there are all sorts of lumps. The fasttrack thing is not really suspicious, no one is supposed to wait for a lump to be checked. Advised me to try to get blood test results.

Jade Goody dies today. Didn't care for her much myself. Not sure what she was about or why people liked her. But she was a young person with a whole life ahead of her and a young family. It's very sad. These things can be serious.

Dominic and Lynda visiting for the weekend

Went out today to Bournemouth with the complete Pozzoni clan:
Dominc +family, Katy +family.

Conversation at lunchtime got round to Tim going to hospital tomorrow for his knee. So a good chance to bring up my trip to the hospital. I tried to keep it low key and not emphasize it at the moment - at least to Katy & Tim. They seem to go along with it with a bit of a joke. I hope to get a chance to talk more openly with Lynda to get the medical opinion.

Consultation with Mr Curtress

Ultrasound scan first. She has a good poke around, says to me that the consultant will probably send me back to have a bit more detailed look. She gives me a letter to take to the consultant. I have a look at the letter. Some medical speak on it. At the end it says "lymphona".

See consultant. Discuss what it might be. Could be lymphoma. I think I know what that is. I ask, he says tumor, avoiding being too specific. He says we’re not much further on knowing what it is, but least I’m in the system. No mention of fluid – I sort of felt this anyway. He says he wants to get me back to have the lump removed soon.

He then sends me for a chest X-ray and a blood test.

Trouble from Sam today as I didn't find out the timing for the op.

Mum’s back at home, time to tell her

I phone mum now to tell her. She seems okay. Just say GP says it could be fluid and they’ll just drain it. After all that's all I know.

Getting hospital appointment

2nd-4th March Lots of phone calls too and from hospital -not really fast track at the moment. They don't seem to have the FAX from the GP. Then they need to talk to the surgeon to discuss. Eventually I get an appointment for the 18th.

Talk to Anne

Spoke to Anne today. Have to be honest with her about the lump. Don’t try to panic her. Agree not to tell mum yet, not a good time. Will wait till I know appointment and hopefully after 12th March.

Mum’s birthday - see doctor

See Dr Terry at St Francis Surgery. She’s quite pleasant – about my age. Feels lump and shines a light through, quite transparent. She says it's probably fluid. She sends me to the hospital for ultrasound, expects them to drain it. Will use the fast track to get it sorted.

Moving house –find doctor

I told Sam about the lump this morning. I need to get registered at the surgery. When I go I can't get an appointment soon, none until 9th March. I would like it sooner, can do if I speak to triage nurse. She phones me back in afternoon, discusses lump, I get Friday appointment -still not too soon.

How it starts

I've been meaning to get this down for a while. The following are restropective notes. I've been going through this now for a while. I've meant to write this down and finally got to do it.

Late January – Got a lump. Looking at my armpits in the shower there is definitely a swelling there on the right. It's not the same as on the left. I've been thinking up to now that it's just some muscle or fat that's in the wrong place, but it's definitely not right. I need to see a doctor, but I'm a bit busy right now moving house.