The ... What are you doing or thinking right now - Topic

[Bob Bryden]

We turned our clocks back an hour last night as daylight saving has ended for us until next summer I wouldn't call what we had as much of a summer though. Mind you there wasn't news of droughts around the parts of the country usually affected so I suppose farmers especially would have less to worry about.

I washed Dad's kitchen curtains a few days ago but they ripped in several places while in the washing machine - the material seemingly became a bit fragile after long exposure to the sun. Had to spend some time today repairing them with my sewing machine then hung them back up again. They almost look as good as new When Mum & Dad moved to Wanganui in 1997 they brought Mum's old Bernina with them. Mum's sight was failing & she was no longer able to use her sewing machine. Once I managed to track down a user manual for it I quickly learned how to use it myself & from then on did any required mending or alteration of clothes, bedding or anything else for Mum, Dad & myself. When that old Bernina broke down & parts were no longer available Dad bought me a new Bernina about 18 months ago.

Off to another hospital appointment tomorrow at Palmerston North Hospital, about 74km. east of where I am now - not nearly so convenient as the local hospital. The lady who rang from P.Nth.Hospital didn't know what it was about but I assume it's the follow up appointment I was told would be arranged in about 2 weeks time after my last discharge from hospital on 21st. March following the biopsy surgery the previous day. I'm apparently to see the same Urologist who operated on me on both 25th. January & 20th. March. Since he's not coming here again just now I have to go to him. I expect to get the results of last month's biopsy so hope it's good news. I may finally get told if or when I start a course of chemotherapy by injections - hopefully if that eventuates it'll be done here & not over in Palmerston North.

Just been watching the TV news tonight about that US$600 million + lotto win in the U.S. (equivalent to over NZ$800 million). At the same time here in N.Z. our weekly Lotto draw produced a single winner of a Powerball jackpot of NZ$23 million BUT IT WASN'T ME :( - otherwise I would be doing something entirely different at the moment. After what I've been through lately with this bladder cancer I'd readily give at least NZ$1 million of my lotto winnings to the local Cancer Society. They've been a great help so far.

Bob

[Richard]

Hope all goes well for you Bob.

[morag]

Bob, your life has surely had it's highs, but for the most part I see a caring son who perhaps put his own life on the sidelines. A sense of duty, all too rare nowadays. It makes me ashamed of myself for my self pity at ill health or bad breaks etc that come along. May you always manage to see the bright side, and may you be blessed with a complete recovery.

[Bob Bryden]

Today's appointment with the Urologist at Palmerston North Hospital (who's now twice this year operated on me here in Wanganui Hospital) brought the worst possible news. The biopsy has shown the cancer to be not only invasive but aggresive & it has recurred already & spreading. I was given 2 options a)BCG treatment in which a version of the TB bacteria is injected into the bladder - not recommended in my case. b)Surgery to completely remove the bladder & be fitted with a bag - forget what the term is. I've reluctantly accepted the second option & am now waiting for a pre-admission appointment at Palmerston North Hospital followed shortly after by an appointment for the actual bladder removal surgery. I should be in hospital for a week to 10 days. The long term prognosis for option a) above is not good hence the acceptance of option b)

Bob

[morag]

[Meg]

All best wishes for a successful surgery and recovery Bob.

Meg

[Hughie]

Sorry to hear about this set-back, Bob. Your extended family here will all be wishing for a speedie recovery after the surgery. Keep that positive attitude to the fore.

[bobnetau]

Not the news we hoped you would get, Bob. All our thoughts are with you. You certainly do put me to shame. You sound like you have mastered the sewing machine a lot better than I did.
Keep us up to date.

[John Donnelly]

Hi Bob,

You're in our thoughts and prayers. Stick in there.

JD.

[Bob Bryden]

Thanks everyone.

Palmerston North is as I said 74km. east or about a 45 minute drive. I was driven over & back today by my cousin's husband, Neil. Christine & Neil own & operate Scotties Gifts & Collectibles at Turakina, a small village almost half-way to Palmerston North, & which is also the centre of a part of N.Z. largely settled by Scots. Turakina has an annual Highland Games every January - about the oldest in N.Z. Today before leaving Palmerston North we called in at a shop that wasn't there when I lived in Palmerston North about 25 years ago & which sells Scottish goodies - things like cans of Barr's Irn Bru, Lees Scottish Fudge from Coatbridge,Lees Macaroon Bars, Maltesers. I bought a couple of each & am enjoying one of the Fudge Bars as I write this. Neil on the other hand bought a lot more of these items & some other Scottish items as stock for their shop. I haven't touched my Irn Bru yet - I'll wait until tomorrow when it's properly chilled. Mind you I can't recall how one normally drinks Irn Bru - I haven't tasted any since we first arrived in N.Z. nearly 49 years ago. I don't know of a Scottish style butcher in this part of N.Z. Otherwise I might get some (square ? ) sliced sausage, Mince Pies etc. Having said all that I perhaps should mention that the Urologist I saw in Palm.Nth. today asked me to lose some weight before my bladder removal surgery. I'd like to but easier said than done.

Now that I've had the news about my bladder cancer / removal I'd just like to get it over & done with. I suppose I'll get used to the bag. I've been in touch already with the local Cancer Society & the Support Co-ordinator is going to put me in touch with the local Ostomy (I think that's the correct term) Support Group. She will also arrange transport when I go over to Palmerston North, both for my pre-admission appointment & for the surgery. A major concern is how Dad will manage when I'm not there. My cousin said he could go a stay with them at Turakina but he doesn't like that although appreciating the offer. Dad reckons he'll manage & said that he needs to stay & look after both houses & the mail. We don't have good or supportive neighbours that could be relied on to do that. We 'll have to stock up on food for his benefit. My cousin will also keep an eye on him even though Turakina is about a 25 minute drive away. On one hand I'd like to see this surgery over & done with but on the other hand I hope I'm not in hospital on the 14th. April which will be Dad's 96th. birthday.

The stomal therapy nurse I saw at Palm.Nth. Hospital today gave me some literature to swat up on about what's involved in removing the bladder & fitting & using a bag - some graphic illustrations & even includes a DVD called "In Control - Life After Your Ostomy". I suppose once I get used to it it'll become second nature

The Urologist, Mr. Coppinger also mentioned that there are risks with all surgery, especially a major operation like removing the bladder. These include dying but I suppose they always have to mention that. I told him that I'd looked up his details both on the N.Z. Medical Council website & on an English website called I think "drfoster.... (can't recall rest of the name) & that I was very impressed with his background, qualifications & experience & that gave me confidence that he'd make a good job of the bladder removal surgery. He gave a little smile at that & showed me a website he'd set up in England for the benefit of patients. I mean to look it up myself. His full name is Stephen William Valentine COPPINGER.

Bob

[Bob Bryden]

I've mentioned before, Mr. Coppinger, the Consultant Urological Surgeon, who operated on me both on 25 January & 20 March & who will be doing the operation to remove my bladder. Well I've found 2 very informative websites , incl. his own personal one, that give an excellent picture of the man.

For anyone who's interested they are:-
http://coppinger.info/index.html
&
http://nz.linkedin.com/in/swvcoppinger

I thought he was English but even though he spent many years working in hospitals in Shropshire & has taught both undergraduates & graduates in Urology he was born in Canada. He evidently spent some time at the University of Western Ontario (before starting his medical training at Middlesex Hospital in London, England) which I think is in London, Ont. where I spent most of my 2.5 months in Canada back in 1974 as that's where I've got aunts, uncles & cousins - 1 uncle & 2 aunts have died since then though & the remaining members of the family haven't kept in touch since Mum died in 2001. My remaining uncle there is my Uncle Jim Kellie, my late Mum's youngest brother & the last we heard he was now in a rest home.

Mr Coppinger came to N.Z. with his family in 2010 seemingly glad to leave the N.H.S.

Bob

[VivAyrshire]

You won't die though!! You've got loads of damage to do yet !!!