Happy 70th to me, and other meanderings.

Well, I'm still around. Prostate cancer is kept to a relatively low level. The blood pressure shot up (again) after a 2hr walking session. It was to be expected, but I have no worries on that score. But I do have to see my GP on Thursday for possible extra drugs.

Today I take Carol to Queens Hospital in Burton, ref: a review to knee replacement or even two.If she has to have the operation, that will be a nice b'day pressie for me, I'll be getting my 'Old Carol' back.

My youngest son (38) is having big problems with mobility. From what I can make out, he has protruding discs, compacting on his sciatic nerve, he also thinks he might have pulled a muscle or hamstring by over compensating whilst trying to walk. He has been off work for 4 weeks with no treatment, just drugs. Last week he found out who was supposed to give him treatment. It was a local private firm under contract to NHS. He 'phoned to enquire about his first treatment, and was told they thought another two or three weeks would by fine. He is not one to suffer fools gladly, he gave them an ear shattering complaint about the lack of treatment and his suffering. It seems the answer came back in a quiet timid voice, "Can you come in Thursday 12:00?" Why do we have to put up with this kind of so-called service is beyond me. I get a not too dissimilar thing from the receptionists at my local surgery, I'm doing the phoning and running around. My prescription for the compact catheters was picked up by my local Boots Chemist. it should have been posted to Charter health care in Peterborough. After a few telephone calls I discovered that our practice manager had overlooked my prescription setup and did not send to Charter. Boots picked it up and said nothing. Cutting a long story short. I collected my prescription, and on my return home Parcelforce had delivered another month supply. I now have two months supply all due to my local GP practice. the thing that gets up my nose is, I have been promised that this will not happen again...for the third time.

I'm enjoying my video editing experience, it's not as easy as I thought, but the challenge of getting it together is all I need right now. Many people get their enjoyment from playing games on their computers. Mine is to create something, about two weeks ago I downloaded an Audio editing program (free) from NCH, 'WavePad' I wanted to alter a binaural sweep to that of a foghorn. It worked a treat. I did the conversion in seconds. I thought I would perhaps buy this program. I wanted to alter something else for the project some days later, and discovered my 7 day trial had expired after 48 hours and I would have to pay to continue with my efforts. So,I did some research on 'WavePad', I saw that Amazon sell the program and this is as good a place as any for looking at reviews. There were too many to count, and all without exception had the same theme "Cowboys". Whilst you were paying on a regular basis you had some support, from what I could gather, payments were to be made monthly if you needed the latest update. I deleted the program and found a new one (Free again) but with loads of support, "Audacity" there is a forum to use, user to user, sometimes with the pro's submitting corrections or ideas. A Wiki for just about everything else, also you can find them on YouTube. I have tried it out, I've a long way to go.
Well that just about covers it all for the time being. I have to go look for this evenings food, as I do the shopping and the cooking, I've decided to do a pasta/ham in cheese sauce with peas and sweetcorn. I've not had that for a long time. I might even stick a Birthday candle in it

BB speed

Lower than the average in the E Midlands No matter who I am with, it's always been the same.

The postmans has called

I now have my new video editing program from Serif, it took best part of a week to get here, I have sent letters to Mombasa (to my girlfriend , now my Wife) many years ago, and they were received some two days later. the same time I was sending cards to my future in-laws, my girlfriend complained to me her parents had heard nothing from me whilst I was away. So, not much change there then.

I'm pleased with my new program, I have done a few dummy runs to create slide shows, not as easy as I first thought. I have worked with free editing programs in the past, and they were fine, but very limited. Anyway, on my 4th attempt I am at least 1/3 of the way to creating a slideshow for my Father-in-Law. Set to music, I have 100's of images to sort from my January cruise file.  It is not a quick job, but it is something I am enjoying. When it is completed, he will be able to enjoy the show & relive some good memories.

Waiting for the postman

"We confirm with pleasure that your order was despatched on 03/01/2014 to the delivery address given below via delivery:"
This message came to me after enquiring about an offer received less than 24 hours after ordering a new video editing program. I ordered the program at a cost of £45 or thereabouts. the following day a mail was sent saying I could order the same program for £20. I 'phoned the supplier asking why this message after ordering. I was told that a different department was responsible for advertising, he was just sales, but I had got the better deal, free books to the value of some £30 or more. I could cancel my order & take the offer of the advert, but I would have to pay for the books which would boost the new order to some £70 or more. I said keep the order and I would wait for my delivery.
It is now 07/01/14, still no post, other than birthday cards for My Good Lady & a magazine for her. OK it is 09:15 a bit early for our postie. He/She will not be seen until late this afternoon, but the waiting is somewhat tedious, I just want to get on with this program 

It is 15:30, I have been in touch with Serif (my supplier) it seems that the program was dispatched as per e-mail, Royal mail (read Royal cock-up) do have my goods in their possession,I complained about the postal/handling charge of £4.99 and the so called service I was not getting. Overcharged by Serif, now refunded. slow delivery by the idiots at Royal mail, no explanation of delay expected, they are too big for that and don't give a stuff anyway 

My God Lady's handiwork

Beading, Card making, Pergamano (Parchment craft), Knitting, Dressmaking

This little Dragon was made for my Christmas present

A Stick Pin. She has 'Been Buzzy'

Quite handy with an ice cream spoon as well.

2 Images of a little angel she made for a local Sunday School Christmas tree

This is a crib she made for a friend of our son

The beginnings of a Birthday Card

The completed Crib

This is a knitted butterfly with a beaded body

A teddy for our next door's neighbours Great Grandchild

This little chap will be on our friends yacht as a crew member later this year

The cardigan was knitted for me, and as an added extra, an Owl zip puller

Another cardigan knitted for herself, the little 'blob' is a mouse it goes with the Owl

The very first thing made for me on my return to archery.

 (She had been on a course for three weeks. She learns quickly, They said it could not be done)

This is an evening gown she made for our first cruise

 

She is now learning Photography

One of her earlier photographs.

These samples above are what she has developed an interest in over the last two years.  I am dreading what she will come up with next. One of her favorite pastimes is playing games on her laptop (Windows 8) which I brought for her last year

Another interest which faded after health problems a few years ago 

I had a visit to my Hospital for the usual check up....

Caught number 4 to Burton & walked to hospital 2 ½ miles approx. a nice day for a walk, so why not? Sarah's report was good, Blood good, BP 153/87 (second reading, due to the exercise) PSA down to 1.9. Today was the last of my fortnightly visits. In 2 weeks time, I see Dr. Chetiyawardana, the first of my 6 weekly visits. 

Update: 03/01/14 I went to my local surgery & had my Zoladex implant to the R of my navel it was on the L 3 months ago The needle is like a size4 knitting pin but hollow. The usual message from the nurse "Just a little scratch". I do like her sense of humor 

Prostate Cancer

 I was diagnose with Prostate cancer July last year. July 16th I went to see my GP to discuss my blood test results in regard to my statins medication for Cholesterol.  Everything was fine. My GP asked if there was any problems. I mentioned that I was getting leg cramps quite a lot, a known side effect, and acid reflux was on the up. She thought that an examination was in order. She did a quick exam & thought my bladder seemed to be over-large & quite solid. I was given a letter to take to Burton Hospital A&E the same morning, There I was processed & sent through for treatment. A catheter was fitted & 3 Ltrs were drained from my bladder. I was kept in overnight. The next day I was examined by the hospital Dr. (Khan I think). It was thought there might just be some cancerous issue. I was discharged with a warning there would be a follow-up appointment at the Urology Centre for a biopsy. My Wife called to the hospital with a change of clothing, T-shirt & jogging bottoms. I went to the hospital in a shorts & sandals (We had a pretty good summer) and no way was I going to be walking about with a leg-bag containing urine. I was not a freak as some people may think, so to save embarrassment all around, joggers were the order for the duration. I had parked my car about 1/2 a mile from the hospital as parking charges are astronomical. I had parked for about 30 hours and saved a load of cash. About a week later, I had a letter telling me of an appointment at the urology center for a check up/biopsy, August 13th. I still had the catheter & leg bag fitted from my first visit. A very nice Lady (Miss Sha) was my consultant, she would be doing the exam & biopsy. I felt quite at ease, even knowing that I was in for some discomfort. I'll not go into details but the biopsy was over & on my return home my underwear was blooded. It was Friday 6th  September I saw Dr Khan again. He came straight to the point, telling me "There are cancer cells in there." I was not really surprised or even worried, I knew that men of my age group with prostate cancer is very common, and that the success rate in 'curing it' is high. He asked if I had any thoughts on this, to which I answered " Thank you, but it is not my problem, it's yours." He was very surprised my my answer, and asked what I meant. I told him that he and his team were the qualified people who had the responsibility of 'curing me', it was mine to follow their advice as closely as possible, and to report any thing I might think important. He was very pleased with that. His response was that if more men had my way of looking at this problem, his life would be so much easier.
Friday 13th I had 3 scans and 1 x-ray (on my eyes). I had steel in one eyes many years ago, and as I was going to have an MRI scan, it had to certain I would be compatible due to the magnetic fields in the scanning. So MRI followed by a CAT scan followed later in the day a bone scan. All was well (as could be expected)

STAMPEDE TRIALS

I was given the opportunity of joining the trials early October and having been processed by some computer somewhere, I was accepted as suitable.

I was officially in the STAMPEDE TRIALS as of Friday 25th October I was interviewed by my Consultant Researcher Dr. AD Chetiyawardana and Sister Sarah Hathaway-Lees. (Cancer research) at Queens Hospital. We chatted & had a few good laughs during my interview (They had not met me before) I filled in some paperwork giving my consent for the trial. I was told that my drugs were deemed as suitable for my condition, but to make sure I read the instructions carefully. I would be seen again in 6 weeks time by Dr. Cheti (as he was known). I would have to see Sarah on a fortnightly basis for blood samples taken at my GP's and blood pressure readings. A blood pressure test at the time was showing good results. After the interview I was given 2 Zoladex tablets to start my treatment, I had to make an appointment at my local surgery for an implant of a 3 month supply of Zoladex. My next move was to call into the pharmacy for my new drugs, 6 weeks supply of 4 Abiraterone (HRT) tablets taken with water on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. Followed some two hours + with one tablet of Prednisolone (Steroid) to be taken with food...Let battle commence.
I have been on these drugs now for a while, and having read the instructions about side effects. I thought I would start a diary of daily of events, noting any problems, side issues and information as I received it.
 November 7th I had my catheter removed for a new one November 13th  I had an appointment at the Urology clinic for a bladder test. I sort of failed, I could not pass urine, which is not uncommon. But for all that,it was a GOOD DAY! My catheter was taken away permanently & was given a box of 30 compact catheters,single use self insertion. I had my freedom back. Swimming & walking were back on the cards. My archery is still on hold as I cannot see that blowing £80 or so on subs is a good idea if my further treatment knocks me down. I think the treatment will involve Radiotherapy, 5 days a week for 7 weeks minimum. It could well start late January or wait up until March. I will soon find out the where and when.
December 5th I had my first blood pressure reading which was high enough to cause slight concern. After a 10 minute rest it had come down to be acceptable-JUST. This means I have to have another test at my local surgery the following week. I e-mailed the result to Sarah on my return home and had a reply within the hour to double my Prednisolone dose. I now have volunteered to have extra BP tests when I have blood samples taken & e-mail the results to Sarah. The altered dosage seems to be doing the trick...so far. Tomorrow 3rd January I have my next Zoladex implant. The needle looks like a size 4 knitting pin, but hollow.

More to follow as and when