Posted by jukkahoo
I learned today that I'll be going under the knife next week.
I was at the hospital today (and bloody well waited for almost two hours for the plastic surgeon to finally come!) and the future looks very sharp indeedy. This Jeejee Hakala -lookalike (I helloed him, as one does, before realising that this here was ablout two inches taller than Mr. Hakala) looked at my tumor, cleaned the infliction, said "ummhh" and hummm..." and then announced that this here tratment is going nowhere and that I have to be operated soon.
Which is almost poetic, since an operation was the first treatment I was told I'd be having when everything was only just starting. I am slightly worried, since there really isn't that many options and treatments after surgery. Only more chemo and radiation (and look where all this took me!).
The problem at the moment is, that the tumor isn't "melting away" ie. getting any smaller. Apparently it is pretty solid dead cell-block, with some nasty cancer cells in the middle having a ball with no care in the world, since the chemojuices aren't getting thru the dead layer of cells. Continuing chemo/radiation serves no real purpose at the moment. So, surgery.
I'll be going back to the hospital in Wednesday to get some MabThera, but I guess they won't put any chemo's inside since the surgery is coming soonishly. And I need all the red and white cells I have to get through this next ordeal.
Doctor James has been very helpful (and funny too) and her continuing precence has helped a great deal with all of this. She is very professional and at the same time very open and there. She even asked today how my panel (on fantasy before and after Tolkien) at the Book Fair went.
It went fine. Some even called it really good. Toni said it was better than his panel on New Space Opera. I got to make few points, name names and generally be entertaining/ed (and people came to ma after the panela sking for names and writing them down!). So there! I had a lovely time at the Fair, even if I stayed there for only few hours in Sunday. I got to meet people (some that I haven't seen since this all begun) and have a wee chat with most of them. I miss mafia's...
I don't really know how all of this will continue, but needless to say, either I or my lovely Missus will keep you informed thru the approproate chunnels ie. this here weblog.
Ouch, ouch. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. You sure are getting a first-hand experience of what modern medicine has to offer. I wish you didn't have to.
Posted by: Johan A | October 28, 2003 at 10:50
Sharp steel will cure anything, ask Conan if you doubt me. Sharpen your sword and get ready to kick that cancer's ass! Crom!
(What?! You're not doing the slicing yourself? Are you sissy or something?)
Posted by: Ben | October 28, 2003 at 11:25
STOP THE PRESS!!!
I ain't going to wait for next week. As a matter of fact, I'll be going to Töölö Hospital tomorrow and they will operate the tumor the following day ie. Thursday the 30th of October.
I'll ask from the surgeons, whether I can operate myself with a sword. Unfortunately I don't have any, but how about a bayonet? Would that be OK, Ben?
I expect to stay at the hospital... five days after the actual operation. Ymmärtääkseni tulen olemaan osastolla 3.
Posted by: jukkahoo | October 28, 2003 at 23:03
Bayonet... Well I suppose if I can't get my sword over there in time that will have to do.
Slice 'n' dice, pal!
Posted by: Ben | October 29, 2003 at 00:13
Töölö Hospital doesn't sound like Conan-like mansion. So in a couple of days that horrible lump will be exorcised. I'm glad to hear that!
Posted by: Johan A | October 29, 2003 at 11:16
Yes, we don't approve of horrible lumps. Begone, lump.
Posted by: Linnéa | October 29, 2003 at 14:54
All self-respecting lumps should have got the message. Only lumps allowed are wombats.
Posted by: Hil | October 30, 2003 at 09:22
Well, I'd make an exception for heffalumps. They are horrible, but sort of OK. Yes, I know Piglet wouldn't agree.
Posted by: Johan A | October 30, 2003 at 11:29