Home After 10 'Interesting Days'

Hi Everyone,

I'm home again now after 10 nights in the Elizabeth Ward at Bedford South Wing hospital. I know that Teresa has kept you updated but here's the status of things at present:

I can swallow but it hurts very much as it hits my stomach. I've got to be tube fed (through the nose) for the next two weeks. This means 15 hours a day attached to a pump being dripped 'gloop'. Can't taste it because it goes straight into my tummy. It looks like evaporated milk and supposedly the most nutritionally balance food on the planet! Yum!

The pain on swallowing appears to be from the radiotherapy burning and virus in my stomach. I'm on antiviral drugs which should work. They've also got the pain sorted with patches for the background pain and a pill for the sudden 'breakthrough' pain I experience in the evenings and early morning.

The ward experience was interesting. Shared my bay with a lot of older guys some of whom were suffering form dementia. It's sad really as these blokes were really confused, didn't know where they were, crying for their mums, screaming all night. Needless to say it was great to get back to the peace of the marital bed last night.

Unfortunately I had to go back this morning because no sooner had I set everything up last night for my feed than I was sick and out popped the tube! So, back to South Wing this morning for a new tube and quick x ray to ensure it was in the right place. Any how back home now watching dodgy day time TV and being fed at last!

Not quite sure what happens next but I obviously need to be able to eat and overcome (or at least control) the pain. I have another CT scan booked in February. The endoscopy last week showed the tumour to be at worst 'dormant' and at best shrinking!

Thanks to all those who visited me - it helped no end to see friendly faces. Thanks too to all the hard working NHS staff on the Elizabeth Ward - heroes and angels all.

Thanks for checking in on me; I'll keep you updated.

Love Dave xxxxxxxxxxxxxx