Today was the first hurdle in this cancer story - C's MRI scan to determine the extent of the cancer and whether surgery to remove his right kidney was going to be possible. C has a fear of small spaces so he'd been prescribed a Diazepam tablet to take before the scan.
We were kicking our heels a bit this morning - although I knew C was dreading the scan he was doing a very good job of covering it up, but we had to get on and do something so a pootle off to see No 1 son, then a quick visit to a local garden centre for a cuppa and, in my case anyway, a delumpcious cheese scone....it's also worth mentioning that as C has been told that sugar feeds cancer cells (by someone in the know - his niece who is battling cancer too) he's decided to give up sweetener in his tea. A brave move; it's not going to be easy but he's determined to try, to the extent that he also turned down a Cadbury's Twirl bar yesterday - and believe me that has NEVER happened before....He took the 'magic pill' while were there.
We got to the hospital eventually, and by the time we arrived C looked quite relaxed (actually his eyes were heavy and I thought he was going to fall asleep, but I guess that's for the best!). We sat in the waiting room and finally went down to the scan room with a lovely nurse, who had to insert a canula so that they could put the 'contrast' dye into C to show up the extent of his cancer. It was no easy feat as she struggled to find a vein - C coped fantastically as she poked around, wincing only slightly, while I was in the corner with my eyes shut! Pathetic! Anyhow, once the canula was in they took us down to the MRI room and C had to strip down to avoid wearing any metal - those hospital gowns really don't flatter, not helped by the socks though I admit; and thank goodness my mum's mantra of always making sure you have clean underwear on is embedded in my soul....He was very calm and I was so proud of how he just got on with the whole thing, letting the nurses put him on the narrow bed and connecting him up ready to slide into the 'tin tunnel'...I know how much he'd been dreading it; it was hard to leave him and I felt completely helpless leaving him in someone else's care, but I knew there was little I could do now the process was underway, so I reluctantly allowed myself to be shooed off to the waiting room. En route I bumped into lovely Clare, who sings in the choir - she hasn't been for some time though, and it was really nice to talk to her; unfortunately I had to explain what I was doing there, and explaining it to someone for the first time got me into a bit of a state (I really must stop breaking down when I talk about it; it's not on). She was lovely though, very supportive and stayed with me in the waiting room until C emerged looking none the worse for wear and actually quite proud of himself (especially as he had two rather lovely nurses as an escort!). The sense of relief now this scan was over was wonderful - the first thing C had been dreading, over and done with, and he said it wasn't really that bad at all. I don't think he's about to take up pot holing though, well not unless Diazepam is on the equipment list...
Lunchtime upon us we decided to go to The Woodvale in Gurnard for something to eat - there are lovely views out across the Solent from the picture windows there, and the food is nice - it's encouraging that C still has a healthy appetite at the moment; I'm dreading when that goes as I will know then that he's really poorly. Thankfully it wasn't too busy and we spent a lovely couple of hours there, waiting for C to 'come round' a bit from the magic tablet. A word of note though - the WiFi signal is really poor there so poor Ipad was redundant!
We went into Cowes after lunch - C was determined to buy himself a 'nice' t-shirt, having turned an envious shade of green when Romilly and I bought nice ones in Hollister in Southampton on Friday...we discovered the Weird Fish shop, and the deed was done. Home via the floating bridge - an experience we don't have very often - which was nice, having been squeezed on right at the back! Fine really, as long as I didn't look in the rear view mirror at the car behind me, looking like it was about to slide off into the Medina....
Home to peace and quiet - I took the dogs out and C entertained Ipad. We've decided it needs to be cosy so have lit the log fire, which may sound weird in August, but living in a 160 year old cottage gives you the privilege of a summer fire!!!
Now we have a waiting game until seeing Mr O again on Thursday; C's ups have been more prevalent than his downs again today - the only downs being minor ones when he spoke to a friend who was so lovely and supportive; he really didn't realise how many people care about him and this whole experience is going to prove a learning curve in so many ways for him. I wish he realised how amazing a person he is, and how much people like him; he really is the most inoffensive, kind, selfless, giving and all round amazing family person - I hope he manages to let us take care of him for a change, instead of worrying about how we're all doing, whether we're okay, need anything...this time is about him now, what he needs, but knowing him as I do I don't think taking that role is going to be easy for him....
well done all of you x x
ReplyDelete