The day after I had seen the hospital dental consultant I managed to fit in a Technical Audit in Reigate for UKAS, I am trying whenever possible to fit in my few audits that I do around my treatment and the hospital is quite helpful in this respect.
On Friday 20th of September Wendy and I went into the Princess Alexandra ward at Kingston Hospital for my tooth extraction. We didn't have long to wait before I was called in to see the dentist. He spent some time telling me how he was planning to do the extraction. This included details of Plan A and Plan B. Plan A was after numbing the area to gently attempt to wiggle the tooth around, if it could be wiggled then the next step was to remove it. If that failed then it would have to be Plan B which involved cuts and stitches to the gums. Luckily for me Plan A worked and the tooth was out in no time. I then had to wait 10 -15 minutes biting down onto a plug of paper to allow the blood to clot where the tooth had come out. I was then discharged with a list of after care instructions that would help the healing process, namely to have a mouth wash every 2 hours using hot salt solution starting the following day and lasting for 5days. Wendy said that I was out quickly, the whole visit had lasted 30 minutes. I felt fine but my lower jaw felt very numb. We then went to the Chemo treatment clinic to have my PICC cleaned but were told we were too early so we decided to go back home and I would come out again later.
On the Saturday we had an enjoyable day out cruising on the Paddington arm of the Grand Union Canal in Clive and Jenny's long boat going from Willowtree Marina near Hayes to Uxbridge and back, Jenny is our URC minister at Hampton Hill. It was a very restful day out and good fun opening and closing the locks we passed through, I also managed to more or less keep up with my hot salt water mouth washes that I had to do every 2 hours.
Since having my tooth out there has been very little happening, there has been some discussion as to when would be the most appropriate time to re-start my chemotherapy treatment, the last treatment that I had was on 20 August. The extraction wound needs to be fully healed before the chemotherapy can re-start after taking advice from the dentist the date for me to re-start will be 15th October providing we get a good blood check on the 14th. So the next couple of weeks will be like a short holiday for me and unless there is something to report the next blog will be when I re-start my treatment.
Monday, 30 September 2013
Monday, 16 September 2013
10th to 16th September
Tuesday I went into the chemotherapy to give bloods so that they could monitor my blood levels from the point of view of recovery from the tooth removal as well as monitoring the tumour marking. Still having trouble eating properly.
Wednesday Due to have my lower left wisdom tooth removed by my local dentist at 2.30 pm. Wendy and Alison took me into Kingston to buy Paul a birthday present, mainly to stop me thinking about my tooth extraction. We got back from Kingston had a quick lunch of soup and then headed for the dentist. We got there on time and surprisingly they were ready for me. I was whisked into the room and in the chair in minutes. After a quick investigation and questions such as 'is that as much as you can open your mouth?' the dentist decided that the extraction was too complicated and decided to refer me to the specialists in Kingston Hospital. They had faxed a form of referral direct to the Oral department of the Hospital.When I got home I rang the Chemotherapy unit and told the receptionist what had happened and could they do anything about it. She said that could I get the contact name and phone number of the person that the dentist had faxed. When I rang the dentist I asked the receptionist for the name and phone number which she was able to give me. I then asked how long she thought it would take and she said it would be up to 6 to 8 weeks. I then phoned back the chemotherapy unit with the required details and the receptionist said she would go over and have a look in the Oral Unit.
Thursday Still concerned about my extraction. I rang Chemo Unit again but the receptionist had gone out for a couple of hours. I then decided to ring the Oral Unit myself and I asked the same question - how long would it be before they could extract my tooth - I got the same reply, 6 to 8 weeks. So I said it was an emergency as I was in the middle of chemotherapy and they could not continue until the tooth had been removed, she said she would have a word with the consultants and ring me back. Mid afternoon I got a call from them giving me an appointment for 2.30 pm on Monday of next week for a consultation --RESULT. I rang the Chemo Unit and got the receptionist who said that she had just been round to the Oral Unit and they had received my referral and had given me an appointment for next Monday.
Friday I went into the chemo unit to have my PICC line cleaned up. I spoke with the receptionist and she said that the Chemotherapy doctor had written a long letter to the Oral Unit which was more good news. Last Tuesday when I went to give bloods the nurse said that it was difficult to push the saline through the line and she was not getting much bleed back when she tried. The result was they had to draw blood from a vein using NEEDLES. The nurse I had today to clean my PICC line said that it was better today as there was bleed back on both lines and it wasn't too bad pushing the saline through.
The last time I had chemotherapy transfusion was 20th August, four weeks ago as I write this blog. I can still feel the effects of the drugs particularly in my nose and mouth where the soft linings of the nose and mouth are being affected plus the tingling sensation in my hands and feet.
Monday After a cold and very wet weekend I am ready now to visit the Oral Unit at Kingston Hospital to see what they can do for me.
Just come back from seeing the Hospital dentist. I had an X-ray of my teeth which the dentist examined and announced that the wisdom tooth was decayed, the evidence was a black hole inside my tooth on the X-ray. She then got me on the couch and did a visual examination of the tooth and said there is not much room there to remove the tooth but it should be OK. She asked why my dentist had referred me I said I didn't really know but I suspect she didn't want to take the risk of removing it. Anyway the hospital dentist (whom I have yet to meet) has agreed to take the tooth out on Friday at 11.00 am after the children's session has finished, the nurse said bring a book in case they run over time. Watch this space!!
Wednesday Due to have my lower left wisdom tooth removed by my local dentist at 2.30 pm. Wendy and Alison took me into Kingston to buy Paul a birthday present, mainly to stop me thinking about my tooth extraction. We got back from Kingston had a quick lunch of soup and then headed for the dentist. We got there on time and surprisingly they were ready for me. I was whisked into the room and in the chair in minutes. After a quick investigation and questions such as 'is that as much as you can open your mouth?' the dentist decided that the extraction was too complicated and decided to refer me to the specialists in Kingston Hospital. They had faxed a form of referral direct to the Oral department of the Hospital.When I got home I rang the Chemotherapy unit and told the receptionist what had happened and could they do anything about it. She said that could I get the contact name and phone number of the person that the dentist had faxed. When I rang the dentist I asked the receptionist for the name and phone number which she was able to give me. I then asked how long she thought it would take and she said it would be up to 6 to 8 weeks. I then phoned back the chemotherapy unit with the required details and the receptionist said she would go over and have a look in the Oral Unit.
Thursday Still concerned about my extraction. I rang Chemo Unit again but the receptionist had gone out for a couple of hours. I then decided to ring the Oral Unit myself and I asked the same question - how long would it be before they could extract my tooth - I got the same reply, 6 to 8 weeks. So I said it was an emergency as I was in the middle of chemotherapy and they could not continue until the tooth had been removed, she said she would have a word with the consultants and ring me back. Mid afternoon I got a call from them giving me an appointment for 2.30 pm on Monday of next week for a consultation --RESULT. I rang the Chemo Unit and got the receptionist who said that she had just been round to the Oral Unit and they had received my referral and had given me an appointment for next Monday.
Friday I went into the chemo unit to have my PICC line cleaned up. I spoke with the receptionist and she said that the Chemotherapy doctor had written a long letter to the Oral Unit which was more good news. Last Tuesday when I went to give bloods the nurse said that it was difficult to push the saline through the line and she was not getting much bleed back when she tried. The result was they had to draw blood from a vein using NEEDLES. The nurse I had today to clean my PICC line said that it was better today as there was bleed back on both lines and it wasn't too bad pushing the saline through.
The last time I had chemotherapy transfusion was 20th August, four weeks ago as I write this blog. I can still feel the effects of the drugs particularly in my nose and mouth where the soft linings of the nose and mouth are being affected plus the tingling sensation in my hands and feet.
Monday After a cold and very wet weekend I am ready now to visit the Oral Unit at Kingston Hospital to see what they can do for me.
Just come back from seeing the Hospital dentist. I had an X-ray of my teeth which the dentist examined and announced that the wisdom tooth was decayed, the evidence was a black hole inside my tooth on the X-ray. She then got me on the couch and did a visual examination of the tooth and said there is not much room there to remove the tooth but it should be OK. She asked why my dentist had referred me I said I didn't really know but I suspect she didn't want to take the risk of removing it. Anyway the hospital dentist (whom I have yet to meet) has agreed to take the tooth out on Friday at 11.00 am after the children's session has finished, the nurse said bring a book in case they run over time. Watch this space!!
Monday, 9 September 2013
Update upto Saturday 7 September
Sorry I am late updating the blog but the last two weeks have been quite difficult for me despite in theory being on holiday. We left on Sunday 25 August in glorious weather heading for Willersley castle just south of Matlock a journey of 160 miles. I did the first 80 miles and then Wendy finished the second leg. We arrived just before 5 pm having stopped for lunch at the local IKEA at around 2 pm and were able to park right outside the main entrance to the Hotel, which as events turned out to be very fortunate later considering that we normally don't use the car once we get to a resort. we were on the second floor in the middle at the front of the castle with a turret either side of us and beautiful views of a cliff face and the top of a hill right opposite us, with cattle in the field next to a small river below us. Meals were 8 to 9 am breakfast and 6.30 pm for dinner, the food was very good but a bit basic.
On Monday I was feeling tired as the chemotherapy was beginning to kick in so I decided to stay at home and rest and read my book called Dark Fire another historical novel set in Henry the eighths reign, whilst Wendy went on the coach trip to see some Well dressing, a common practice in this area apparently. As we were waiting for the coach I looked over to our car and noticed that the rear offside tyre looked a little flat -- we had a puncture! That evening we decided that as the tyres were due for renewal after 33,000 miles it was not worth having the puncture repaired so we arranged for Kwikfit to send their mobile van to replace the two rear tyres a job completed by 7 pm on Wednesday.
I was beginning to feel increasingly tired and could not understand why.
On Tuesday we went to Bakewell and then on to Chatsworth House and gardens and I felt utterly exhausted having to sit down in every room for a rest whenever possible, needless to say I slept well that night.
The next day was a free day, so we had a short walk in the morning and then read our books in the afternoon. That night I could not sleep properly waking up every hour or two with raging pain in a rear wisdom tooth. Luckily I found a couple of paracetamol tablets in my wash bag which helped a little. However at breakfast I found that I could not open my mouth wide enough to eat anything larger that a pea. In the end I was mashing my food up and spooning it carefully into the small gap between my teeth. today we were driven to Buxton where we spent most of the afternoon and again I had difficulty walking any distance.
On Friday Wendy drove us home stopping about halfway for a short break for food and drinks. I immediately tried to make an emergency appointment with my dentist and the earliest date I could get was the following Wednesday afternoon. However there were emergency dentists in Kingston Hospital --just turn up! Unfortunately we got there just before the 9 pm closing time and had to try and persuade the receptionist to let us in for treatment. She went off to consult with the dentist and he said that he would see me. He had a quick look and said that it was a bit swollen at the back but not infected and prescribed a mouth wash known as Corsodyl, more about this later. All we had to do now was to find a chemist that was open and went to the one in Feltham that we always use in cases like this.
Earlier in the day on Friday at around 4 pm Alison came with me to the hospital and she set about cleaning my PICC line under the supervision of the Ward sister, the worst part is taking the adhesive cover off your arm so that you can clean up around where the line goes into your body, quite a sensitive area which hurts if you don't peel the cover off gently. Say no more. She wants to have one more go under supervision as there is such a lot to remember before she can start doing it at home for me. It was good to be home again.
The weekend passed uneventfully but I was still having problems eating so I felt that the mouth wash was not working. On Monday I went into the SWRU clinic to have my bloods taken ready for checking before treatment on Tuesday. However when I saw the doctor on Tuesday and I told her of the problems that I was having with my teeth she decided it was inappropriate to start treatment and that I should seek further help from my dentist. As I had already booked to see my dentist on Wednesday I felt at least I had got something right! After the refusal to not have treatment I felt at quite a low point, something was always conspiring to have my treatment slowed up.
I went to the appointment with my dentist on Wednesday and he did a good job examining my teeth. He said that there was a bacterial infection around the tooth and prescribed a 5 day course of penicillin. He also said that it would make good sense to have the tooth removed as soon as possible as it would only cause more trouble later on, he advised that I should discuss with my doctor to decide on a convenient time in my treatment to have the tooth removed. Still feeling tired, in fact I slept in until 1 pm on Friday, but now I know that it is due to the tooth infection and not necessarily the chemotherapy.
Monday 9 September. I am feeling much better now although I am still having problems eating, maybe that will correct itself by Wednesday when I am due the next cycle of chemotherapy, I hope that it does. Tomorrow, Tuesday I need to go in to give bloods. I think I might ring the doctor today and see what she says about having my tooth removed. I will let you know what happens next.
On Monday I was feeling tired as the chemotherapy was beginning to kick in so I decided to stay at home and rest and read my book called Dark Fire another historical novel set in Henry the eighths reign, whilst Wendy went on the coach trip to see some Well dressing, a common practice in this area apparently. As we were waiting for the coach I looked over to our car and noticed that the rear offside tyre looked a little flat -- we had a puncture! That evening we decided that as the tyres were due for renewal after 33,000 miles it was not worth having the puncture repaired so we arranged for Kwikfit to send their mobile van to replace the two rear tyres a job completed by 7 pm on Wednesday.
I was beginning to feel increasingly tired and could not understand why.
On Tuesday we went to Bakewell and then on to Chatsworth House and gardens and I felt utterly exhausted having to sit down in every room for a rest whenever possible, needless to say I slept well that night.
The next day was a free day, so we had a short walk in the morning and then read our books in the afternoon. That night I could not sleep properly waking up every hour or two with raging pain in a rear wisdom tooth. Luckily I found a couple of paracetamol tablets in my wash bag which helped a little. However at breakfast I found that I could not open my mouth wide enough to eat anything larger that a pea. In the end I was mashing my food up and spooning it carefully into the small gap between my teeth. today we were driven to Buxton where we spent most of the afternoon and again I had difficulty walking any distance.
On Friday Wendy drove us home stopping about halfway for a short break for food and drinks. I immediately tried to make an emergency appointment with my dentist and the earliest date I could get was the following Wednesday afternoon. However there were emergency dentists in Kingston Hospital --just turn up! Unfortunately we got there just before the 9 pm closing time and had to try and persuade the receptionist to let us in for treatment. She went off to consult with the dentist and he said that he would see me. He had a quick look and said that it was a bit swollen at the back but not infected and prescribed a mouth wash known as Corsodyl, more about this later. All we had to do now was to find a chemist that was open and went to the one in Feltham that we always use in cases like this.
Earlier in the day on Friday at around 4 pm Alison came with me to the hospital and she set about cleaning my PICC line under the supervision of the Ward sister, the worst part is taking the adhesive cover off your arm so that you can clean up around where the line goes into your body, quite a sensitive area which hurts if you don't peel the cover off gently. Say no more. She wants to have one more go under supervision as there is such a lot to remember before she can start doing it at home for me. It was good to be home again.
The weekend passed uneventfully but I was still having problems eating so I felt that the mouth wash was not working. On Monday I went into the SWRU clinic to have my bloods taken ready for checking before treatment on Tuesday. However when I saw the doctor on Tuesday and I told her of the problems that I was having with my teeth she decided it was inappropriate to start treatment and that I should seek further help from my dentist. As I had already booked to see my dentist on Wednesday I felt at least I had got something right! After the refusal to not have treatment I felt at quite a low point, something was always conspiring to have my treatment slowed up.
I went to the appointment with my dentist on Wednesday and he did a good job examining my teeth. He said that there was a bacterial infection around the tooth and prescribed a 5 day course of penicillin. He also said that it would make good sense to have the tooth removed as soon as possible as it would only cause more trouble later on, he advised that I should discuss with my doctor to decide on a convenient time in my treatment to have the tooth removed. Still feeling tired, in fact I slept in until 1 pm on Friday, but now I know that it is due to the tooth infection and not necessarily the chemotherapy.
Monday 9 September. I am feeling much better now although I am still having problems eating, maybe that will correct itself by Wednesday when I am due the next cycle of chemotherapy, I hope that it does. Tomorrow, Tuesday I need to go in to give bloods. I think I might ring the doctor today and see what she says about having my tooth removed. I will let you know what happens next.
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