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Thread 10 - TalkLair: “The candle flame gutters. Its little pool of light trembles.”

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Kucinghitam · 19/09/2023 21:00

Continuation of previous threads (thread 9).

Although the nights are gradually drawing in, the new lair of JTT escapees is all cosy and homey inside. The hearth is glowing, the walls covered in dubious artwork, books by non-approved authors line the shelves, rugs are down on the floors (and assorted pets curled up on them).

We just won’t mention the gnawed bones of our prey over there in the corner of the cave…

Thread 9 - TalkLair: “Russell's teapot goes on being round” | Mumsnet

Continuation of previous threads (thread [[https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/4823833-thread-8-talklair-brewing-russells-teapot? 8]]). The new lair o...

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/4860368-thread-9-talklair-russells-teapot-goes-on-being-round?

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artant · 03/11/2023 12:51

Hamilton is fantastic! I saw it in what feels like another life (well before the shadow of Covid). I seem to recall one of the friends I went with blocking out a couple of hours in her work calendar on the day they were releasing more tickets so she could hit redial until she got through without the inconvenience of meetings.

MavisMcMinty · 03/11/2023 12:52

There’s a couple of fallen trees along the bridleway and the rivers are wild and brown and impassable without a pair of waders (which we do have, size 9s though). I daren’t even throw the ball in the river, as I’m scared the dogs will be swept away.

artant · 03/11/2023 16:17

@CyanCrystalViolet my car leaked when it was quite new. I noticed a bit if water in the boot but put it down to a bottle of water that had been rolling around in there so mopped it up and hoped for the best. I was going away for the weekend. When we stopped to charge the car the friend who was sitting in the back realised her jeans were damp as was the seat! Anyway, I took it in the following week and the garage sorted it out (including getting a water mark out if the ceiling, though they’d agreed to replace it if the stain couldn’t be removed). I’m pretty sure it was down to the seal around the hatchback and that leave debris was the most likely culprit. So you may be lucky and find you’ve sorted it out.

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MouseMinge · 03/11/2023 17:48

Evening all. I don't know what I was expecting from the appointment but it certainly wasn't what happened. In a good, if scary, way. Snoop insisted on coming with me and I'm grateful she did, plus we recorded the whole thing which was also a good thing because there was a shitload of information. Here's a bullet point outline.

  • Biopsies thus far are a total palaver. They indicate that the tumour is not benign but neither is it fully malignant despite presenting as such. Going forward, no chemo or radiotherapy for now.
  • Next week I will have exercise tests for surgery to ensure that my heart and lungs are up to it.
  • If that can happen on Monday or Tuesday then on Wednesday I will have a minor procedure. A feeding tube inserted and while they're about that some biopsies from my stomach.
  • About three weeks with the tube to keep track of my nutrition.
  • When it's decided that all is well BIG surgery.
  • Tumour will be removed. So will my oesophagus. My stomach will be reduced in so that some of it can be used to make a new oesophagus.
  • Two to three days in ICU
  • At least a week (inc ICU) in hospital, possibly longer because there are generally complications (two thirds of patients) needing antibiotics, etc and a few more days in hospital
  • I come home. On the feeding tube for a bit longer
  • Six months to a year of recovery
  • Something close to normality! I should be able to eat more or less normally although, of course, very small portions.
It's scary shit, there are so many things that can go wrong and it will be hard work but I'm overjoyed that finally, finally after twenty odd years of this being a thing, getting worse so that this year has seen it go from bearable but hard to nearly unbearable. The only thing that might get added to that list is some chemo or radiotherapy but that remains to be seen. I basically have Schroedinger's cancer. I sort of have it and I sort of don't. The consultant today was a good one. A good manner, articulate for the non-medics among us. Me and Snoop.

I'm not without a bit of fear, it's major surgery after all, but I am so looking forward to a brighter future.

Tricyrtis2022 · 03/11/2023 17:56

Blimey, Mouse, that's an awful lot to take in for one meeting, glad you had Snoop with you. I really hope it all goes perfectly for you and you have a much brighter future.

Britinme · 03/11/2023 17:58

Wow @MouseMinge that's pretty dramatic but so wonderful that it all leads to at least something like normality. Good vibes to you.

BinturongsSmellOfPopcorn · 03/11/2023 18:22

Glad you had Snoop to record stuff - that's a lot to take in! Sounds a thorough plan though.

I'm too far away to be of practical use, but I have pretty good medical 'looking stuff up' skills so please do call on me if you need any information finding or interpreting.

MavisMcMinty · 03/11/2023 18:27

Oh Mouse, how scary, but at last there’s a plan. All fingers crossed for you. xxxx

DeanElderberry · 03/11/2023 19:38

Wow Mouse, scary but hopeful. I hope all the tests early in the week go well so that they can proceed ASAP.

weaseleyes · 03/11/2023 20:04

Gah, that sounds like a rather more eventful consultation than you may have been expecting. I'm glad they're foreseeing a good outcome, albeit a protracted one.

duc748 · 03/11/2023 20:26

Wow that's a lot of stuff! One step at a time, I guess. Twenty years, can't begin to imagine.

MouseMinge · 03/11/2023 20:26

Thank you, @BinturongsSmellOfPopcorn I may well take you up on that.

And thank you all for your kind words and wishes. My head's all over the place this evening with everything I got told today but it's good stuff. I know it will be hard but I also know I can do it. I've dealt with pain, etc so all I need to do is let my inner Pollyanna out to play as often as I can but also allow myself to be a miserable grump when I need to. We are so bloody lucky to still have the NHS. If I lived in the US precisely none of this would be happening because I wouldn't be able to afford it. And I have the best nurses you could hope for.

The one thing I've started today is letting friends know that if they have a bit of the sniffles or feel that they're coming down with something they have to steer clear of me. I'm so glad I'm MouseMinge two jabs because that will help but I have to stay as healthy as possible otherwise it will put surgery back and I want it asap.

artant · 03/11/2023 20:41

Oof, that’s a lot to process @MouseMinge - definitely good that you had Snoop there and that you have a recording you can go back to.

Fingers very firmly crossed here for everything going smoothly next week and at every subsequent stage. Know that you are always allowed to be grumpy and have a rant. Know also that random strangers in the interweb care a lot about you and will be sending good health vibes and willing you on.

Gonners · 03/11/2023 20:44

That sounds a bit fearsome but mainly really positive, Mouse. It must be such a relief to know that they have A Plan. And it's reassuring that now they have one, the next stage is scheduled for next week.

I second @artant - feel free to rant.

SinnerBoy · 03/11/2023 21:29

Hi Mouse, I'm pleased to hear that you finally have a proper diagnosis, even though it's taken a while.

A friend of my dad's had the same operation about ten years ago and he's still going at nearly 80. He's on six very small meals, restricted diet and not supposed to do anything vigorous etc, so I'm optimistic for you.

Good luck!

Britinme · 03/11/2023 21:35

depe how broke you are Mouse. Broke enough and you get Medicaid. Awful system though.

Britinme · 03/11/2023 21:35

Depends.

CyanCrystalViolet · 03/11/2023 22:43

Crikey Mouse, that’s a lot for you to take in. But overall it does sound very positive, and it will be wonderful for you to have a better quality of life after all this time. I’m only down the road from you so feel free to call on me also if there’s anything I can help you with.

MouseMinge · 03/11/2023 23:39

Thank you, @CyanCrystalViolet and thank you too, @SinnerBoy it's really good to hear that because it's not particularly common, so knowing someone is thriving after it gives me confidence.

MmePoppySeedDefage · 04/11/2023 04:49

I'm so glad this is being dealt with properly at last Mouse. It's amazing that they can make you a new oesophagus like that. What a lot to take in.

Tricyrtis2022 · 04/11/2023 07:47

What an extraordinary place. There's some lovely carpentry been done. Probably paid off the carpenter's mortgage by the looks of it. Seeing interiors like this, I wonder who lives there and what they're like and how on earth can they afford such opulence.

Original poster
Kucinghitam · 04/11/2023 08:09

Oh goodness @MouseMinge, that is a hell of a lot on your plate. It sounds terrifying but at the same time it's good that they now have a plan for you. Virtual hugs and flowers from me, and I echo everyone saying that you should feel free to let off steam here!

OP posts:
CyanCrystalViolet · 04/11/2023 11:43

MmePoppySeedDefage · 04/11/2023 07:17

I like it but what’s going to with the carpets? It’s like they ran out of money and couldn’t afford a whole one, nor a duvet cover and pillowcases.

MavisMcMinty · 04/11/2023 12:27

MmePoppySeedDefage · 04/11/2023 07:17

Apparently I don’t have permission to “access this resource”.

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